In warm and earnest language he set forth the brothers' exploit on the Thames and their narrow escape from a violent death.
"Oh, Madam," he cried, "as I looked upon his pale, scarred, but noble face this day in the Star Chamber, a deep sense of pity took possession of me. He had atoned for his offence! It could not be that one so young, so brave, so nobly daring should suffer a felon's doom, and I besought Heaven to have mercy on him."
The sound of a gentle sob reached his ear, and he looked on the Queen's sad face.
Yes, she was deeply moved at last!
"Stay, my Lord Cardinal," she said in a low voice, "I have heard enough. God spared that young man's life—shall we be less merciful?"
Then it was that she sent for Philip, and in a few minutes he was at the door, the Ambassador, at his request, accompanying him.
With Castilian courtesy Philip knelt and kissed the Queen's hand, then, rising, he repeated the salute on her forehead.
The Queen's face flushed with pleasure, for she dearly loved her husband—alas, he was all that she had to love in this world!
Then she marked the presence of the Ambassador, and extended her hand towards him as he knelt humbly to kiss it.
The Cardinal stood aside, he had made lowly obeisance to the King as he entered.