Stan,

I'm with you. Pleaded does seem to imply some grovelling and in a legal case particularly, there should be no bias. It is simply the the plea which is subject to proof.

It's about what's implied:- by saying that you didn't see her for long, the implication is that too have seen her for longer would have been preferable.
If you were talking about someone whom spending more than a minute with would be like dying, then it's length itself that is again where the emphasis lies, 'I saw her for the longest time'.

Try putting 'enough' after long to see the effect.

To Michelle,

Perfectly said.