"I swear this to you by the holy mother of God! But now let that suffice.

Air--air--I suffocate! Everything swims before my eyes.

Open the window, that a little air may flow in! Ah! that is good! This air at least is pure, and not infected with sin and slander!" And the king had Earl Douglas roll him to the opened window, and inspired in long draughts that pure fresh air.

Then he turned to the ladies with an agreeable smile.
"My ladies," said he, "I thank you! You have to-day shown yourselves my true and devoted friends! I shall ever remember it, and I beg of you, if at any time you need a friend and protector, to apply to us with all confidence.

We shall never forget what great service you have to-day rendered us." He nodded to them in a friendly manner, whilst, with a majestic wave of the hand, he dismissed them, and concluded the audience.
"And now, Douglas," exclaimed the king, vehemently, as soon as the ladies had retired--"now I have had enough of this dreadful torture! Oh, you say I am to punish the traitors--these Surreys--and you inflict on me the most frightful pains of the rack!" "Sire, there was no other means of delivering up this Surrey to you.