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which I will not retract as your rich and titled daughter. There were no truth in the world if I could depart from mine."
The next evening they kneel before the sacred altar; scarcely is the ceremony closed, when Lord Avonleigh appears with his men-at-arms, and arrests Evelyn. Francesca fell on her knees to supplicate for his pardon, but finding it useless, the blood of her high race mantled in every vein to meet the approach of danger; she calmly rose, went to Evelyn, on whose wrists the shackles were already placed, and, putting her hand through his arm, stood quietly by his side.
"'Leave him!' exclaimed Lord Avonleigh; 'foolish and obstinate girl, how dare you hold communication with an outlaw and a rebel?'
"'I am his wife,' said Francesca; while her calm dark eyes met those of her father unshrinkingly. 'I am his wife.'"
What a fine scene would this be for a painting. Events lead on to the grant of the royal pardon, obtained through the kindly intercession of Francesca's early friend, Madame de Soissons, who is on a visit with some of the French court, and with the English monarch, at Avonleigh Castle.
Evelyn has been summoned to receive forgiveness; the King commands the presence of the Lady Francesca; she enters, and Evelyn leads her to Charles, who requests Lord Avonleigh to add his pardon. "My father!" exclaimed Francesca, "I implore you not to part from me with an unkindly feeling; I intreat you to recollect that Robert Evelyn loved me as a lowly and neglected orphan, that our affection has been tried in every way, and that for my sake he has risked liberty and life."
The King offers to restore to Evelyn a part of his
