"When I have done this business I desire a few words with you." So Margaret was brought up upon the dais, and sat down at her Majesty's left hand upon the broidered footstool, and very fair indeed she looked placed thus above the crowd, she whose beauty and whose bearing were so royal; but Castell and Peter were led away back to the prison, though, seeing so many gay lords about, the latter went unwillingly enough.

A while later, when the cases were finished, the queen dismissed the court save for certain officers, who stood at a distance, and, turning to Margaret, said: "Now, fair maiden, tell me your story, as one woman to another, and do not fear that anything you say will be made use of at the trial of your lover, since against you, at any rate at present, no charge is laid.
Say, first, are you really the affianced of that tall gentleman, and has he really your heart ?" "All of it, your Majesty," answered Margaret, "and we have suffered much for each other's sake." Then in as few words as she could she told their tale, while the queen listened earnestly.
"A strange story indeed, and if it be all true, a shameful," she said when Margaret had finished.

"But how comes it that if Morella desired to force you into marriage, he is now wed to your companion and cousin?
What are you keeping back from me ?" and she glanced at her shrewdly.
"Your Majesty," answered Margaret, "I was ashamed to speak the rest, yet I will trust you and do so, praying your royal forgiveness if you hold that we, who were in desperate straits, have done what is wrong.

My cousin, Betty Dene, has paid back Morella in his own false gold.

He won her heart and promised to marry her, and at the risk of her own life she took my place at the altar, thereby securing our escape." "A brave deed, if a doubtful," said the queen, "though I question whether such a marriage will be upheld.