"That will not render the Queen nor your Majesty popular in the City; it will not expedite our loan nor induce young Englishmen to come forward to fight our battles," replied Renard. "Pardon me once more, sire, if I make a suggestion to you. We are calling for an English contingent of eight thousand men: Lord Clinton tells me that men are coming forward very slowly.
"These twin brothers, William and Ralph Jefferay, are of gentle birth and they are born soldiers. They have an intended brother-in-law, a young nobleman named Geoffrey de Fynes. All the three are willing to take arms in your Majesty's cause and to fight under your banner.
"This is my proposition, sire, that you ask the Queen to extend her gracious pardon to Ralph Jefferay, on the condition that the three young men I have named take service in Lord Clinton's contingent."
The frown cleared from the King's brow, he even smiled as he said—
"You plead well, Don Renard, you would have made a great lawyer; well, be it as you wish, I will ask her to do us this service."
"To-night, sire?" said the Ambassador.
"Nay, to-morrow," replied the King; "I must not urge State matters on the Queen at this late hour."
"But, sire, to-morrow will be too late, the Star Chamber acts promptly, and to-morrow at ten o'clock Ralph Jefferay will stand in pillory at Tyburn!" replied Renard.
The King flushed and looked somewhat angered; he was not accustomed to be thus urged.
It was at this moment that an usher craved admission into the chamber, he brought a message from the Queen.