I spoke with rising vehemence, and my daring words frightened both my hearers. The Queen was almost pale when I ended.
"You cannot make this good, my lord. I cannot believe it."
"Yet every word is true and can be made good. The man I mean is your most powerful Minister—Senor Sebastian Quesada."
"It cannot be. It is impossible," cried the Queen. "You frighten me, my lord. What proofs have you?"
The intense impression created by my charge, emboldened me to go a step farther and place all on the cast. The Queen was so agitated, and the young King so deeply and keenly moved by my words, that I could not fail to see what weight would attach to any request I put while they were in that mood; and taking my fortune boldly in both hands, I resolved to risk everything on the chance of my being able to prove my charge against Quesada. Mayhew's words of despondent caution recurred to me, but my ears were deaf to everything save the one absorbing purpose that swayed me.
"His Majesty was good enough on the day, when under Providence I was able to snatch him from the hands of his enemies, to promise to grant me such request as I might prefer. You, Madame, to-day, with gracious sympathy at the mention of my cares and anxieties, expressed the generous desire to help me. May I entreat you then, remembering what I have done, to grant me a favour should I make good my words, and bring home to the real traitor this treachery against your august family and your throne?"
"You would make conditions, my lord?"
"Your Majesty, I am but a suppliant."
"What is this favour?"
"That your Majesties will be graciously disposed to pardon the unfortunate dupes who have been misled by the man who has used them for his own purpose?"