"Then why shall we not forgive Malcolm?" asked Madge.
"Because he is not John," was the absurd reply.
"No," said Madge, promptly; "but he is 'John' to me."
"That is true," responded Dorothy, "and I will forgive him if you will."
"I don't believe it makes much difference to Malcolm whether or not you forgive him," said Madge, who was provoked at Dorothy's condescending offer. "My forgiveness, I hope, is what he desires."
"That is true, Madge," replied Dorothy, laughingly; "but may not I, also, forgive him?"
"If you choose," responded Madge, quietly; "as for me, I know not what I wish to do."
You remember that Dorothy during her visit to the dungeon spoke of Jennie Faxton. The girl's name reached Sir George's ear through the listening-tube and she was at once brought in and put to the question.
Jennie, contrary to her wont, became frightened and told all she knew concerning John and Dorothy, including my part in their affairs. In Sir George's mind, my bad faith to him was a greater crime than my treason to Elizabeth, and he at once went to the queen with his tale of woe.
Elizabeth, the most sentimental of women, had heard from Dorothy the story of her tempestuous love, and also of mine, and the queen was greatly interested in the situation.