Now tell me what is your will ?" Mena fell on his knees, and covered the king's robe with kisses.
"Pardon!" he exclaimed.

"Nothing but pardon.

My crime was a heavy one, I know; but I was driven to it by scorn and fury--it was as if I saw the dishonoring hand of Paaker stretched out to seize my innocent wife, who, as I now know, loathes him as a toad--" "What was that ?" exclaimed the king.

"I thought I heard a groan outside." He went up to the window and looked out, but he did not see the pioneer, who watched every motion of the king, and who, as soon as he perceived that his involuntary sigh of anguish had been heard, stretched himself close under the balustrade.

Mena had not risen from his knees when the king once more turned to him.
"Pardon me," he said again.