ears would
come now.

"No such thing! They only showed how true my love is to God and me,
and made my heart swell with pride to hear her so cheering me
through all."

His strength seemed to allow her to break down. She had all along
had to bear up the spirits of Sir Philip and Lady Archfield, and
though she had struggled for composure, the finding that she had in
him a comforter and support set the pent-up tears flowing fast, as
he held her close.

"Oh, I did not mean to vex you thus!" she said.

"Vex! no indeed! 'Tis something to be wept for. But cheer up, Anne
mine. I have often been in far worse plights than this, when I have
ridden up in the face of eight big Turkish guns. The balls went
over my head then, by God's good mercy. Why not the same now? Ay!
and I was ready to give all I had to any one who would have put a
pistol to my head and got me out of my misery, jolting along on the
way to the Iron Gates. Yet here I am! Maybe the Almighty brought
me back to save poor Sedley, and clear my own conscience, knowing
well that though it does not look so, it is better for me to die
thus than the other way. No, no; 'tis ten to one that you and the
rest of you will get me off. I only meant to show you that
supposing it fails, I shall only feel it my due, and much better for
me than if I had died out there with it unconfessed. I shall try to
get them all to feel it so, and, after all, now the whole is out, my
heart feels lighter than it has done these seven years. And if I
could only believe that poor fellow alive, I could almost die
content, though that sounds strange. It will quiet his poor
restless spirit any way."

"You are too brave. Oh! I hoped to come here to comfort you, and I
have only made you comfort me."

"The best way, sweetest. Now, I will seal and address this letter,
and you shall take it to Mr. Fellowes to carry to the ambassador."

This gave Anne a little time to compose herself, and when he had
finished, he took the candle, and saying, "Look here," he held it to
the wall, and they read, scratched on the rough bricks, "Alice
Lisle, 1685. This is thankworthy."

"Lady Lisle's cell! Oh, this is no good omen!"

"I call it a goodly legacy even to one who cannot claim to suffer
wrongfully," said Charles. "There, they knock--one kiss more--we
shall meet again soon. Don't linger in town, but give me all the
days you can. Yes, take her back, Sir Edmund, for she must rest
before h