"I have seen you before," he said; "you are the Scots officer who brought me the papers concerning the forces at Amersfort."
Wat bowed, and at once began his speech to the king.
"Your highness," he said, "I am not here to ask a pardon for myself, but to claim your courteous protection for this lady—who is my wife."
The circle of dames and damsels who elbowed and rustled behind William at this point manifested the greatest interest. Kate had let the hood of her cloak fall from her head, and now stood, with the simple white of her bridal dress, unsoiled even after her long journey, showing beneath it.
"I will speak freely to your highness," said Wat, "asking no boon for myself. I am Walter Gordon of Lochinvar, in Galloway. Twice I am your outlaw—once according to the law of King James have I been an exile from my native land."
He spoke clearly and firmly, like one who will hide nothing.
The king bowed slightly, showing no more interest or animation than if he had been listening to the light gossip of the court.
"Because we two loved each other, I have carried off a bride from your councillor of state, my Lord Barra, that I might make her my wife. I escaped from your prison of Amersfort in order that I might rescue my love. I fought at Killiekrankie and Dunkeld—fought for King James, that I might win a way to her. For myself, therefore, I ask no mercy, and I expect none. But with confidence and unbound heart I place this lady, my wife, under the protection of your highness, a prince just and clement—so that whatever happens she may not fall into the power of her enemy and mine, the Lord Barra, from whom and from death I have saved her this day!"
"And how did you save her?" said William, looking at him level-eyed, as one man looks at another whom he knows to be also a man.
"I went to the wedding to drink the bride's last loving-cup, and when the bride came to the hall-door to speak with me I looked in her eyes once. Then I took her on my saddle-bow and rode away from among them all," said Wat, simply.