“God requite thy mercy, O my King, and save thee long to bless thy land!” Then springing up, he turned a joyful face toward the two lords in waiting, and exclaimed, “Thou heard’st it! I am not to die: the King hath said it!” There was no movement, save that all bowed with grave respect; but no one spoke. He hesitated, a little confused, then turned timidly toward the King, saying, “I may go now?”

“Go?

Surely, if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little? Whither would’st go?”

Tom dropped his eyes, and answered humbly —

“Peradventure I mistook; but I did think me free, and so was I moved to seek again the