"'By the crime of an unnatural, bloody-minded murderer,' said the
lady.
"'I am answered,' replied the old man, bowing, as if to withdraw.
"'Stop, sir, I command you,' said Lady Bothwell. 'Who are you
that, at such a place and time, come to recall these horrible
recollections? I insist upon knowing.'
"'I am one who intends Lady Bothwell no injury, but, on the
contrary, to offer her the means of doing a deed of Christian
charity, which the world would wonder at, and which Heaven would
reward; but I find her in no temper for such a sacrifice as I was
prepared to ask.'
"'Speak out, sir; what is your meaning?' said Lady Bothwell.
"'The wretch that has wronged you so deeply,' rejoined the
stranger, 'is now on his death-bed. His days have been days of
misery, his nights have been sleepless hours of anguish--yet he
cannot die without your forgiveness. His life has been an
unremitting penance--yet he dares not part from his burden while
your curses load his soul.'
"'Tell him,' said Lady Bothwell sternly, 'to ask pardon of that
Being whom he has so greatly offended, not of an erring mortal
like himself. What could my forgiveness avail him?'
"'Much,' answered the old man. 'It will be an earnest of that
which he may then venture to ask from his Creator, lady, and from
yours.
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