h the interested bearing
of one who had little concern with its result. A half amused smile
wreathed his lips, and once or twice he made a motion as if he would
intervene, but on second thoughts kept silent.

"Do not attempt this fell deed, dear sister," pleaded Isabel
earnestly. "Let us away as we intended. The horses are ready and
waiting for us. Our mother is looking for our coming in her room. The
night wears on and we must pass Stirling while it is yet dark, so
there is no time to be lost. Dear sister, let us quit Scotland, as we
purposed, an accursed land to all of our name, but let us quit it with
unstained hands."

"Isabel, darling," said Catherine in a low voice that quavered with
the emotion caused by her sister's distress and appeal, "what unlucky
chance brought you to this fatal door at such a moment? Can you not
understand that I have gone too far to retreat? Who, having caged the
tiger, dare open again the gate and set him free? If for no other
reason, the king must die because he is here and because I brought him
here. Open the door behind you, Isabel, go down the circular stair,
and at the postern step you will find the rope ladder by which I
ascended. Get you to the courtyard and there wait for me, saying
nothing."

"Catherine, Catherine, the king will pardon you. He will surely
forgive what you have done in exchange for his life."

"Forgiveness!" cried Catherine, her eyes blazing again. "I want no
forgiveness from the king of Scotland. Pardon! The tiger would pardon,
till once he is free again. The king must die."

"I shall go as you have bid me, Catherine, but not to do your bidding.
I shall arouse this castle and prevent an abominable crime."

Catherine laughed harshly.

"Whom would you call to your assistance? Douglases, Douglases,
Douglases! How many of your way of thinking will you find in the
castle? You know well, one only, and that is our mother, old and
helpless. Rouse the castle, Isabel, if you will, and find a dead man,
and perhaps a dead sister, when you break in this locked door."

The helpless Isabel sank her head against the wall and burst into a
fury of weeping.

"Ladies," said the king soothingly, rising to his feet, "will you
graciously condone my intervention in this dispute? You are discussing
an important act, from the commission of which all sentiment should
be eliminated; an act which requires the hard strong mind of a man
brought to bear upon the pros and cons of its