urposely avoided all inquiries as
to their intended route, and therefore not any cross-questioning on the
part of the king caused him to waver in the smallest point from his
original tale, or afforded any evidence that he knew more than he said.

"Get thee to Sir Edward Cunningham, my Lord of Buchan, and bid him draw
up a warrant for the detention and committal of these two persons
wherever they may be," the king said, "and away with thee, and a trusty
troop, with all speed to Berwick. Make inquiries of all who at that
particular hour passed the gates, and be assured thou wilt find some
clue. Take men enough to scour the country in all directions; provide
them with an exact description of the prisoners they seek, and tarry
not, and thou wilt yet gain thy prize; living or dead, we resign all our
right over her person to thee, and give thee power, as her father, to do
with her what may please thee best. Away with thee, my lord, and heaven
speed thee!"

"My liege and father, oh, why hast thou done this?" exclaimed the
princess, imploringly, as, with a low obeisance to the king and a
gesture of triumph at the Earl of Gloucester, Buchan departed. "Hath she
not borne misery enough!"

"Nay, we do but our duty to our subjects in aiding fathers to repress
rebellious children," replied the king. "Of a truth, fair dame of
Gloucester, thy principles of filial duty seem somewhat as loose and
light as those which counselled abetting, protecting, and concealing the
partner of a traitor. Wouldst have us refuse Buchan's most fatherly
desire? Surely thou wouldst not part him from his child?"

"Forever and forever!" exclaimed the princess, fervently. "Great God in
heaven, that such a being should call that monster father, and owe him
the duty of a child! But, oh, thou dost but jest, my father; in mercy
recall that warrant--expose her not to wretchedness as this!"

"Peace," replied the king, sternly. "As thou valuest thine own and thy
husband's liberty and life, breathe not another syllable, speak not
another word for her, or double misery shall be her portion. We have
shown enough of mercy in demanding no further punishment for that which
ye have done, than that for ten days ye remain prisoners in your own
apartments. Answer not; we will have no more of this."

The Earl of Buchan, meanwhile, had made no delay in gaining the
necessary aids to his plan. Ere two hours passed, he was on his road to
Berwick, backed with a stout body of h