derer? Thou wouldst
not in mistaken mercy elude for him the justice of the law?"

"No--no," murmured Marie; "let the murderer die; but not Stanley! Oh,
no--no; he would not lift his hand against my husband. Who says he
slew him? Why do they attach so foul a crime to his unshadowed name?
Let the murderer die; but it is not Arthur: I know it is not. Oh, do
not slay him too!"

Marie knew not the wild entreaty breathing in her words: but the
almost severely penetrating gaze which Isabella had fixed upon her,
recalled her to herself; a crimson flush mounted to cheek and brow,
and, burying her face in the Queen's robe, she continued less wildly--

"Oh, madam, bear with me; I know not what I say. Think I am mad;
but oh, in mercy, ask me no question. Am I not mad, to ask thee to
spare--spare--him they call my husband's murderer? Let him die," and
the wild tone returned, "if he indeed could strike the blow; but oh,
let not my lips pronounce his death-doom! Gracious Sovereign, do not
look upon me thus--I cannot bear that gaze."

"Fear me not, poor sufferer," replied Isabella, mildly; "I will ask no
question--demand nought that will give thee pain to answer--save that
which justice compels me to require. That there is a double cause for
all this wretchedness, I cannot but perceive, and that I suspect its
cause I may not deny; but guilty I will not believe thee, till
thine own words or deeds proclaim it. Look up then, my poor child,
unshrinkingly; I am no dread Sovereign to thee, painful as is the
trial to which I fear I must subject thee. There are charges brought
against young Stanley so startling in their nature, that, much as we
distrust his accuser, justice forbids our passing them unnoticed. On
thy true testimony his Grace the King relies to confirm or refute
them. Thy evidence must convict or save him."

"My evidence!" repeated Marie. "What can they ask of me of such
weight? Save him." she added, a sudden gleam of hope irradiating her
pallid face, like a sunbeam upon snow? "Did your Grace say _I_ could
save him? Oh, speak, in mercy!"

"Calm this emotion then, Marie, and thou shalt know all. It was for
this I called thee hither. Sit thee on the settle at my feet, and
listen to me patiently, if thou canst. 'Tis a harsh word to use to
grief such as thine, my child," she added, caressingly, as she laid
her hand on Marie's drooping head; "and I fear will only nerve thee
for a still harsher trial. Believe me, I would have s