that I am cruel because you feel a part of the pain I suffer."

"No, no, I was wrong," said Hamilton, dropping to his knees before her
and seizing her hand. "Forgive me and believe that my love is unselfish
and that it will be yours so long as I live. All that is not evil in me,
I owe to you, and I am striving to make myself more worthy of your love,
even though I must surrender you to another."

"Betty told me of your good deeds when a plague was raging in Bishopgate
ward," said Frances, "and Baron Ned has told me that you have changed
your ways since leaving court."

"I have changed since I learned to know you," he interrupted, "and now,
with my first effort to be a man, misfortunes come trooping at my heels
so fast that I know not what to do nor where to turn."

"That was one reason why I came to see you," she said. "The king seeks
your life because it is said that you threatened his. But you seem to
know your danger, and I suppose you have been warned."

"Yes, Grammont warned me. He is a very adroit person and is my friend.
He stands guard for me at court, partly because he is my friend, but
chiefly, I imagine, because it is the command of his king, Louis of
France. I do not want to bring Baron Ned into trouble. He is known to be
my friend, and the king might have him watched, so I am using Grammont
as my spy at Whitehall."

"Ah, the Frenchman?" returned Frances. "It was he who dubbed me the
'Duchess of Hearts.' He smiles graciously when we meet, but with all we
hear about the wickedness of the French, Grammont has shown me greater
respect than I have had from any one of the so-called gallants about the
court."

"The day may come when I can repay his kindness," said Hamilton.

"But you must leave England at once," continued Frances. "The king's only
show of energy comes in a case such as this. His real reason for seeking
your life is that he believes you stand between him and me. You must
leave England without delay."

"I mean to do so, now that I have seen you," he returned. "The desire to
see you and a spirit of reckless bravado has kept me here much longer
than prudence would dictate."

At that moment voices were heard in the room above. George pressed
Frances's hand to enjoin silence, fearing that the sheriffs were at hand.
But presently a clanking noise was heard, and George, listening
attentively, whispered:--

"There is no further danger. Lilly is opening the lever panel, and soon
the floor will