eat
doors at the extreme end of the room. Affected by the tumult, James
turned impatiently to see who had dared disturb the solemnity of the
hour. Those who were looking in that direction started with amazement.

Through the open portal, flanked by its two rows of yeomen of the
guard, advanced a slender girlish figure, with face white as marble
and whose dark eyes sought the King. Clad in a gown of some soft gray
stuff which had been torn open at the throat, revealing the gentle
curve of the white bosom, the girl staggered up the long aisle leading
to the throne. Between the fingers of the hand pressed above her heart
showed a crimson stain which, touching the bodice of her dress,
gradually spread itself upon the soft color.

Amazed at so unwonted a spectacle the peers could only stare,
transfixed. The girl had reached the space before the throne and
stopped beside the table at which Effingston stood, who alone, of all
the House, had started to his feet and confronted her. For one brief
moment she gazed into his eyes, then stretched forth her hand. The
white lips parted, she cried in a stifled voice:

"My lords! flee the House ere----"

The voice fell to a whisper, she reeled and sought to grasp the table
for support. Effingston sprang toward her, but before he reached her
side, her form sank slowly to the floor and lay at his feet. Unmindful
of the presence of the King, and of his fellow peers, the young
nobleman raised her in his arms. None beside Lord Monteagle heard him
whisper:--"Elinor!"

At her name the closed lids opened, and her lips parted in a faint
smile.

"My love!" she murmured faintly, her head sinking upon his shoulder
like that of a tired child slowly falling to sleep. "I am
guiltless--thou alone--'twas for thy sake----"

A spasm of pain swept across her face; he felt a shudder shake the
slender form, and a beseeching look sought his face.

"I understand, my darling," he whispered, pressing his lips to hers.

She sighed. A happy light shone in the fast glazing eyes.

"Elinor!" he murmured. "One more word----"

But God had taken her.

CHAPTER XXII.

FAWKES BEFORE THE KING.

For a moment a great stillness pervaded the House of Lords. The King
had half arisen from the throne, his hands tightly grasping the gilded
lions on either side, and his eyes fixed upon the dead form of Elinor,
lying at Effingston's feet. All followed the monarch's glance, the
ministers and peers leaning for