Page:Jeanie Deans and the lily of St. Leonard's.pdf/23

 23 heart that ye canna be sensible o' the weariness o the limbs,” said Jeanie.“ But supposing that the king were to pardon your sister, I fear that the people of Edinburgh would hang her out of spite, if we may judge by their conduct on a late occasion." — I am sure, answered Jeanie, that baith town and country would re- joice to see the royal mercy extended to a poor unfriended creature. And O, madam, I beseech you to have compassion on our misery. A word of the king's mouth might save an unhap- py girl, not eighteen years of age yet, from an carly and dreadful death, and restore her to a broken hearted auld man, that never in his mor- ning and evening prayers forgot to petition for a blessing on his majesty."--" Young woman, said the lady, I cannot pardon your sister ; but you shall not want my warm intercession with his majesty Take this house wife case ; in it you will find something which will r mind you that you have had an interview with Queen Caroline." Jeanie dropt on her knees, but was so bewildered that she was unable to utter a word ; and the queen, turning to Argyle, and expressing a hope that their business had termi- nated to his satisfaction, wished him a good morning. The duke having assisted Jeanie from the ground, conducted her back through the avenue to the place where they had entered the garden. When seated in the carriage, he congratulated his countrywoman on the successful termination of her interview with the queen, and assured her of the certainty of Effie's pardon, which lie promised to get passed through the requisite forms, and transmitted to Scotland. Then fol- lowed an examination of her majesty's present.