The Star-Chamber, Volume 1 An Historical Romance

tters-

duced by his speech, but Jocelyn quite regained

s prosecutor was a villain,

your confusion, that the High Court of Star-Chamber is so tender of upholding the honour of its sentences, that

fearful jeopardy," a gentleman near him observed to Jocel

Jocelyn would have assaulted Sir Giles, if he

ow to follow up the a

nt Lanyere," he excla

er instant

ountenance was once as free from seam or scar as your own; and yet, for an offence lighter than yours, it hath been stamped, as you see, with indelible

er replied, a deep flush

len

t my foul tongue the powe

u prosecuted in

I now

. Do you bear me ma

ntrary, Sir Giles, I have always

ou striv

I wil

les cried. "You have been guilty of the same offen

d, I would stab my pr

yn re

t his eyes on the ground, suddenly raised them,

London. They give us full power to enter and inspect all taverns and hostels, at any time that may seem fit to us; to prevent any unlawful games being used therein; and to see that good order and rule be maintained. They also render it compulsory upon all ale-house-keepers, tavern-keepers, and inn-keepers throughout London, to enter into their own recognizances with us against the non-observance of our rules and regulations for their governance and maintenance, and to find two sureties: and in case of the forfeiture of such recognizances by any act of the parties, coming within the scope of our authority, it is provided that one moiety of the sum forfeited be paid to the Crown, and the other moiety to us. Lend me your ears yet further, I pray ye, gentlemen. These Royal Letters empower us to inflict certain fines and penalties upon all such as offend against our aut

n the midst of which Jocely

ects at heart, would sanction the oppression and injustice which those warrants, if entrusted to unscrupulous hands, must inevitably

the gentleman who had previously counselled the young ma

king's sanction for what he does, and to censure him as you have done is to censure the Crown,

difficulty in controllin

ommand you to hold your peace, or, in the King's name, I will instantly arrest you; and I forbid any one to give you aid. I will not be troubled thus. Appointed by his Majesty to a certain office, I exercise it as much for the benefit of the Royal Exchequer, as for my own personal advantage. I have his

a profound obeisance. "What is your pleasure with me, Sir

e in pursuance of a notice, served upon you a month ago. You will not deny having received it, s

my poor comprehension, did not seem as agreeably worded as a billet-doux. Mais, ma foi! I attached little importance to it. I did not suppose it possible-

. I am now merely your judge. The penalties incurred by your neglect are these: Your licence was suspended a month ago; the notice expressly stating that it would be withdrawn, unless certain conditions were fulfilled. Consequently, as ever since that time you have be

is ruin-utter ruin! I may as well close my house altogether, and return to my own fair country. As I am a

contingency you put. 'Quod non habet in cere, luet in corpore' is a decree of the Star-Chamber; meaning, for I do not expect you to understand Latin, that he who cannot pay in purse shall pay

ge to talk of such a loathsome prison to me. Ah! mon Dieu! what i

that fine city, Madame; for you will no lo

Giles! what

isabled from keeping any tavern

sped her hands togethe

Giles!-In pi

became clamorous. "A most scandalous proceeding!" exclaimed one. "Deprive us of our best French ordinary!" cried another. "Infamous extortioner!" shouted a third

ging around, and laughed to scorn these menaces, contenting

at length thundered forth; "the K

t in vain. She took hold of his arm, and feign

ou may spare yourself further trouble, for all your powers of persuasion will fail with me. I renew my demand-and for the last time. Do not compel me to resort to e

eeing him remain inflexible, she added, in an altered tone,

the assemblage with one voice-"Let hi

yn Mounchensey, whom no efforts of the friendly gentleman could now restrain, sprang forward, and, dra

ith me," the young man said, glancing

. Cyprien, and the rest of the drawers and tradesmen ranged themselves behind their mistress, prepared to resist any attempt on the part of the myrmidons

re it be too late. I don't address myself to you, Jocelyn Mounchensey, for you are undeserving of any friendly

ot sooner than you shal

he hostess, who clung

rci, mon beau gentil

o impede me in the lawful execution of my

n unlawful arrest," s

h the person of Dameris Bonaventure, and convey her to the Compter. At the same time, arrest the young man-beside her-Jocelyn Mounchensey,-w

oritative voice which had previously been h

for a minute; and then checked his

id, with the glare of a tiger fr

table. "You have unconsciously played a part in a comedy-and played it very well, too-but

returned, gravely. "I discern nothing comic

ause it has been part of our scheme

eme, then, a-foot

n the working of which your worthy co-patentee,

upied his elevated position upon the table-"I presume, then, I ha

with wine that his legs refuse to support him, is to tie him in a chair. He may else sacrifice his dignity by rolling under the table. But let this pass for th

im write it!" was

is done, my lord?" Sir

ave done it, Sir Giles; and here it is. And I have taken care to grant a renewal of her licence from the date of your notice; so that no pena

o give it no harsher term-will avail you any thing?"

Giles; you will

hinder me?-Y

iles. Proceed

's assurance stagg

thus confident," he thought. "Whose was the voice I heard

yourself bound by the

Lord R

be his act," the

on the subject," Lord Roos

e table. To the surprise of the company, the knight then managed to stagger forward unassisted, and

d angrily. "You have forgotten yourself strangely

. I never was more my own master than I

you came to sign that paper. You co

ly offended. "I meant to run counter to

d fool, you are playi

as sober as yourself. My hand has been put t

quit Madame Bonaventure?

deration; I have a

s!" the hostess cried. "I knew I

d towards him, but in the attempt to kiss it fel

d now, Sir Giles?

from the fumes of wine, he will bitterly regret his folly. But even his discharge will be insuf

mpetent authority to decide,

thdrawn, disclosing the whole of the brilliant assemblage, and at the he

es exclaimed. "I thou

ompesson was standing. It need scarcely be said that Jocelyn Mounchensey had never seen the superb favourite before; but he did not require to be told whom he beheld, so perfectly did Buckingham realize the descriptions given of him. A little above the ordinary height, with a figure of the most perfect symmetry, and features as aristocratic and haughty as handsome, it was impossible to conceive a prouder or a nobler-looking personage than

nd obeisance as Bucking

on was haugh

free to confess that you deal not over gently with them, if the present may be considered a specimen of your ordinary conduct. Those letters-patent were not confided to you by his Majesty to distress his subj

have done so, my lord Marquis,-but not otherwise. I have ever vindicated the dignity and authority of the Crown. You have just h

gham replied. "His gracious Majesty gave me full discretion in

uis turned to Madame Bonaventure, who instantly prostrated herself before him, as

ciously replied, raising her as he spoke. "It was at his lordship

dame Bonaventure said, casting down her eyes and blushing

iest hostess and the best wine in London; and on my faith as a gentleman! I must say he was wr

house can scarcely hope to be honoured a second ti

have done to-day. No lack of inducement t

rd Mar

estation be offered to Madame Bonaventure, but that you give a g

rejoined; "but before I go I have an arrest to make. That

ld cut out my tongue rather than speak against him. I have said the King is ill served in such officers as Gil

t that his Majesty has chosen his officers badly,"

urably represented to his Majesty, who no doubt has be

at, Sir?" Buckingham c

the creatures of some powerful noble, whose intere

ert insult would seem t

o is this young

f an old Norfolk knight baronet, who, you may remember, was arraign

, and the share you and

" Buckingh

said Jocelyn. "You will not then wonder

m. But the froward youth, whose brains seem crazed with his fancied wrongs, is not content with railing against us, but must needs lift up his voice against all

what he has said, and express compunction, with promise of amendme

uitous tribunal," Jocelyn rejoined firmly. "I will rathe

n away upon him, my lord," Sir Gil

obles and gallants around him; "so we may to our barges. You, my lord," he added

ern accompanied by a large train, and entering his barge amid