The Star-Chamber, Volume 1 An Historical Romance

ocat

recipitate retreat. Yet he did not dare to move, lest the action should bring upon him the hurt he wished to avoid. Thus he remained, like a bird fascinated by the rattlesnake

; the son of him whom you despoiled of a good name and large estates, and cast into a loathsome prison, to languish and to die: I am the son of that murder

a respectful distance from him.) I will do more than I promised. I will lend you any sums of money you may require; and on your personal security. Your bare word shall suffice. No bonds-no written obligations of any kind. Does that sound like usury? As I am a true gentleman! I am most unfairly judged. I am not the extortioner men describe me. You sha

sday, you could not alter my feelings towards you a jot. My chief errand in

readily-most readily, Sir Jocelyn. All was done in fair

not so easily frightened. We have met for the first time

hroat, I should be sorry to think you might be hanged for it afterwards. Come, Sir Jocelyn, lay aside this idle passion, and look to your true interests, which lie not in quarr

nd of a Mounchensey grasp yours in friendship! I would sooner mine ro

in a long furred gown, with hanging sleeves, and a flat cap on his head, wh

ave! out!" he added, seizing Sir Francis by the wing of his doublet, and forcibly thrusting him from his se

u have put yourself wholly in my power, and I will make a fearful example of you. You have dared to utter scandalous and contemptuous language against the great and high court of Star-Chamber, befor

and can testify nothin

t have heard him?" Sir Francis said, addr

son appealed to; "I gave

ow doublet, from the opposite side of the table; "I heard him most audaciously vilipend the high

name?" Sir Francis demand

ressing Iron, in Cornhill," the whey-faced man replied, in hi

s, Master Trednock. Fare you well for the present, Master Jocelyn Mounchensey, for I now mind well your father w

as expressed against Sir Francis, who was censured on all hands, jeered and flouted, as he moved to the door. So great was the clamour, and so opprobrious were the epithets and terms applied to him, that the knight wa

ave," Sir Franci

e come hither uninvited, and must stay till you have permission to depart. Having partaken of the banqu

" the knight demanded,

ow the dinner, sweet Sir Francis," Madame Bonaventure cried, advancing toward

" several voices chimed in, derisively. "

. I will indict you all for it, if you hinder me in going forth," the knight vociferated

a knave than yourself, gr

terposed;-"the courteous knight will yield to

ence. I must go," Sir Francis sa

n authoritative voice cried

en stationed themselves before the place of e

the laughter and

g to disguise his uneasiness under an appearance of levity-"But you will not carry the jest too far. You will not

mb near him replied. "Madame Bonaventure had prepared us

" Sir Francis thought;-"and, blind owl t

nearly at his wit's end

lace at the upper ta