Sadly he paced up and down his narrow cell till night fell.

None took the trouble to bring him food--considering, doubtless, that he might well fast till morning.

When it became dark he lay down on the hard stone, and, with his arm under his head was soon asleep--his last determination being that if possible he would snatch a sword or dagger from the hand of those who came to take him to execution, and so die fighting; or if that were impossible, he would try to burst from them and to end his life by a leap from the turret.
He was awakened by a slight noise at the door, and sprang to his feet instantly, believing that day was at hand and his hour had come.

To his surprise a voice, speaking scarcely above a whisper, said: "Hush! my son, make no noise; I am here as a friend." Then the door closed, and Archie's visitor produced a lighted lantern from the folds of his garments, and Archie saw that a priest stood before him.
"I thank you, father," he said gratefully; "you have doubtless come to shrive me, and I would gladly listen to your ministrations.

I would fain intrust you, too, with a message to my mother if you will take it for me; and I would fain also that you told the Lady Marjory that she must not grieve for my death, or feel that she is in any way dishonoured by it, seeing that she strove to her utmost to keep her promise, and is in no way to blame that her uncle has overriden her." "You can even give her your message yourself, sir knight," the priest said, "seeing that the wilful girl has herself accompanied me hither." Thus saying, he stepped aside, and Archie perceived, standing behind the priest, a figure who, being in deep shadow, he had not hitherto seen.