Sire! I have a sister.'
'Waste not thy strength, dear friend, in naming her. Rest assured I
shall ever deem thy relatives my own.'
'I doubt it not. Would I had a thousand lives for such a master! I have
a burden on my conscience, Sire, nor can I die in peace unless I speak
of it.'
'Speak, speak freely. If thou hast injured any one, and the power or
wealth of Alroy can redeem thy oppressed spirit, he will not spare, he
will not spare, be assured of that.'
'Noble, noble master, I must be brief; for, although, while this javelin
rests within my body, I yet may live, the agony is great. Sire, the deed
of which I speak doth concern thee.'
'Ay!'
'I was on guard the day Jabaster died.'
'Powers of heaven! I am all ear. Speak on, speak on!'
'He died self-strangled, so they say?'
'So they ever told me.'
'Thou art innocent, thou art innocent! I thank my God, my King is
innocent!'
'Rest assured of that, as there is hope in Israel. Tell me all.'
'The Queen came with the signet ring. To such authority I yielded way.
She entered, and after her, the Lord Honain. I heard high words! I heard
Jabaster's voice. He struggled, yes! he struggled; but his mighty form,
wounded and fettered, could not long resist.
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