Page:King James and the Egyptian robbers, or, The court cave of Fife (1).pdf/23

OR THE COURT CAVE OF FIFE.23 'Give me, then, this fair maiden. We kings, you know, seldom choose the least valuable of our subjects' chattels.'

'Your grace may command me,' said Walter, though somewhat hesitatingly, for he saw the turn which things were taking.

'And you, too, sweet Edith?' said the king, again saluting the blushing girl; and then, without waiting for her answer, continued—'That you may all know, my lieges, that we accept your benevolences merely for your own benefits, I give away this treasure, tempting as it is, to one who has well deserved the favour at our hand. Take her, Arthur, and confess that I have found a way to repay the debt I owed you. Receive his hand, fair maiden; and if it will add anything to its value in your eyes, know that it has this day saved a king's life.'

The sentiments of Walter in regard to Arthur Winton had been undergoing a change, imperceptible even to himself, from the moment he had perceived him the companion and probable favourite of the king; but the revolution was completed when he was made acquainted with the particulars of his interference in the royal behalf, a merit which would, in his eyes, have outweighed a thousand faults in his intended son-in-law.

King James shortly left the house of Balmeny amid the blessings of its inmates; and to close our somewhat tedious tale, we have only farther to acquaint our readers, that the gift of the monarch was shortly after confirmed at the altar, where Edith became the happy bride of Arthur Winton and that the royal gratitude flowed freely on the wedded pair, as any who chooses to peruse the time-worn records of the Great Seal may satisfy himself.