'I suppose the gentleman saw me start and colour at his message, for he whispered to Roger Crosbie as I moved away, "What's in the wind now? Desmond looks as if some madcap prank were on his conscience. Has he got into trouble with the Queen, think you?"
'"Marry, no, I trust not!" I heard Roger say in a loud and horrified tone. "Why, I thought he told me we were out of that quandary! Sure he can't have tumbled into it again already!"
'I did not wait to reassure Roger, but rushed off with all speed to the painted cabinet, which room was an especial favourite of the Queen's, and generally went by the name of her "closet." She was not there when I went in; there was only a tall lady in black standing by the window whom I recognised this time without difficulty.
'"Well, Algernon," she said, coming to meet me with outstretched hands; "thank you a thousand times. You have gained your wife's liberty. God grant that it may not be too late to save her life!"
'The last words gave me rather a chill; for though the doubt had also occurred to me, I could not bear to think that she also had the same fears.
'"Then she is to be released, madam?" I asked, eagerly. "The King has really granted a pardon?"
'"Yes, a free pardon at the Queen's intercession. The whole of the fine is remitted, and I am going to bring her home. I start for Taunton in an hour. Poor heart," and she sighed, repeating half to herself, "if only I am not too late!"
'"Oh, pray, madam, do not say so," I cried earnestly. "You will not be too late,—indeed you will not! When once she is taken out of that horrible place, with you to nurse her too, she must get well. Oh, the sight of you will do her good directly, I am sure it will!"
"'I shall tell her what she owes to you," said Lady Dalrymple, taking my hands again, with tears in her kind, soft brown eyes.
'"I thank you again in her name, with all my heart. May I give your love to her, my dear?"