ss
Jennings need have no fear. The officers of her friend, the king, have
just come to the Old Swan seeking me. The bell you heard was the alarm,
sounded by Betty Pickering. Unless she is able to keep them away from
here, you may perhaps hear the sheriffs presently in the room above with
Doctor Lilly, the man you saw at the type-case. If they come, I trust you
will remain silent, unless you are here for the purpose of betraying me."

Frances recognized Hamilton's voice, and, notwithstanding his cruel
suspicion, her fear gave place to joy, for she knew that she could soon
drive all doubt from his heart. His words did not even hurt her, for she
bore in mind the great injustice she had done him, and remembered the
good reason he had to believe that she was not his friend. She tried to
speak calmly and within the bounds of propriety, but the cold words she
would have spoken refused to leave her lips, and after a futile effort to
restrain herself, that which was in her heart came forth, because she
could not keep it back.

"Ah, Master Hamilton, you do not understand. I came to tell you that I am
not what you deem me; that if you had good reason to believe me pure when
we met at Sundridge, you have the same reason now. I want to tell you
that when I refused to recognize you on that awful day in the Old Swan,
when you fought so bravely in my behalf, I thought you were guilty of
Roger Wentworth's death."

"No, no, I am not that bad," interrupted Hamilton.

"At Sundridge you made me believe that you loved me," continued Frances,
unmindful of the interruption. "And now since you would not come to me,
nor send me word in all this long weary time, I could not restrain
myself, but, all unmaidenly, have come to you because I can in no way put
my love from my heart, pray and try as I will."

She reached forth her hand in the dark and touched him. She had not
underestimated her strength when she believed that by a word she could
drive doubt from his heart and bring him to her feet, for in a breath she
who had scorned the love of a king, and had laughed at the greatest
nobles in England, was in the arms of a man on whose life the king had
set a price. Her head fell back into the bend of his elbow, her willing
lips gave him their sweetness, her arm was clasped about his neck, and
she had forgotten all save love and the man she loved.

George said nothing, so after a little time, Frances continued: "Tell me
that you know I am not th