In the Days of Queen Mary

hen Sir John Jefferay enter

laden with heavy volumes; above the shelves were portraits of famous lawyers,

scattered here and there were tables

did not seat himself, nor did his books and

e look of one in trouble or in deep reflection. He was clad in a suit of rich black velvet, the sombreness of whi

he door opened, and Susan Jefferay appeared, a welcoming s

s heart, but her winsome presence, her bright smile and merry, dancing eyes w

has been with the boys for the last hour, and I have helped him to dress their wounds; he says I am as cl

but good nursing and careful feeding to be as strong and w

uld not sleep last night," he continued; "the sight of thei

how good Heaven has been to us! But, dear uncle, you look very wearied and sad t

ghtly as he looked

t I will go now to the breakfast room with you

adjoined the library, and presently Sir John

here, Susan attending to all her

the boys," said Sir Joh

medicine which will probably induce sleep; they must not be disturbed for some hours. Moreov

own and kissed her cheek, "I always thou

brary," said his niece; "we

serious!" s

at least I fear

lf in one of the great leather chairs, and Susan, br

de a strik

ghted up by a gentle and loving smile as

g gown was simplicity itself; its pure whiteness was unrelieved by colour but for a waistband of blue silk; she wore no

" said Sir John, as he took her l

Chiddingly last Sunday week, intending to pass at least ten days w

interpolat

"that on that Sunday morning a messenger b

ir John, "this g

looked into her uncle's face,

ious; I think you will be s

ild," said Si

e; I meant to show it to you

d as he read it his face assumed

ant come-only to fin

showed the letter to Ralph, little thinking

icer, Ralph was absent from home all day, and on making i

the stables and elsewhere. Then I found to my alarm that m

tell me nothing-'these were not women's matters,' he

you heard nothing?" s

from Mr. Geoffrey Fynes; he did not know that I had left home for London. It is this letter which fills

nced over the letter which she held

oad for some members

n, and, perhaps, even life itself! Yet I do not hesitate to tell you, my sweet Sus

rds the matte

day morning; his warrant was forcibly taken from him and torn to pieces by the leade

the forest, where they remained until nightfall, when a passing woodman released the

be brought before the Chancellor in the Star Chamber

ed to and fro in the library, full of disqui

a matter of life or death. Oh, foolish, fooli

is charge brought against William? Surely, if the offe

bserved that when Ralph returned home on that fatal Wednesday, he

said Sir John quickly. "The warrant

Sir Philip Broke, was with me all that Wednesday in question; we were

ys before the poor wounded boy can appear before the Court of the Star Chamber,

to Susan's side, he k

"I have hope that God will bring

Ralph is the real culprit

hat he lies helpless on a bed of sickness; but for that he should b

thought s

t William knows aught

om each other, and if matters came to the worst, as you say, I beli

ng my heart!" cried Sir John

time remained in deep thought; then h

for the best," he continued, as he marked the growing pallor of poor Susan's

last issue, if all else fails, it may be but a matter of a fine, and we are, happily, rich enough to pay it; or a short imprisonmen

d let me know if I may see t

ay nothing to them at present about this sad matter; remember that Dr. Barnes enjoins t

Sir John, as he rose to open the door for

than, with a preliminary knock at th

panish Ambassador and his son Don Diego d'Olivares were in the en

later he heard the steps of his visitors a

ase the Treasurer met his distingu

idently in no mood to sta

Treasurer, yet the anxiety which had prompted this early morn

Treasurer, are t

they have many serious flesh wounds, yet, by the mercy of God, no vital injury has been

ife at the peril of their own, and with a manly daring which moves all men to admira

ith an eager request that h

san Jefferay, and I myself have just been refused an interview with the boys by their stern guardian;

re, Diego obtaining permission to

ager inquiries respecting the lads whose deed of daring had become public

though their handsome faces and strongly knit bodies had att

in Queen Mary's Parliament as a member for the City of London, and was fast becoming a strong leader among

the Inn, and he brought news with him which Susan promised

dship in the hope of discovering the hulk to which his capt

ored on the banks of the stream, but he had

t; he had been lying in the bottom of the boat, fast bound, when one

had oth

he two ruffians who had leapt overboard-th

wearied Treasurer was just congratulating himself that the labours of th

John, somewhat impatiently. "Make my excuses, Robi

, yet he lingered as if he

id Sir John, perceivi

bt if the visitor will take your dismissal thus easi

, and Susan ran from the couch where

und his neck, "he comes, surely, on the Queen's b

friend of mine; his errand may be but one of friendly inquiry. Compose

obin admit the

ered the room, bowing low to b

sence, his dress of sombre

rdial smile. Susan's heart was reassured as she marked his friendly behaviour; but Sir John

the Queen's business!" sa

imself at the invita

andal to London that such an outrage could happen on our own river; but we are

, he thanked Heaven for the news, and t

rceived his

Sir William," he said; "you may say it bef

a courtly smile as he bowed towards Susan. "I will therefore tell

nowledge of others, for I am exceeding my office to-

Susan gravely

-night I come as your friend and well-wisher, but to-morrow, alas! I shall bring you a

n, and poor Susan hid he

mpathy in his kindly heart. "I will tell you why I come. My warrant commands me to possess myse

e state and ceremony. Yet will I not attach his body until he shall have regained his strength if

ohn, "and I count it an act of friendship on

t, advanced towards Sir John,

uld do more for you! but keep a good heart, for yo

ed Sheriff made his adieu

hen the Sheriff had gone, and she and Sir John were left to th

er side and took he

se," he said to her in a low voic

d; let us kneel together and commit the

" said Sir John, as they ros

usan; "but I have work in the sick-room awaiting me,

d-night," Susan lit a wax ca

n the morrow he would send a trusty messenger to the Hague, who should info

f William-how valuable would his

ose in power that William had aided the Vicar of Chid

suspicion, and must remain

the Treasurer betook hims