The Star-Chamber, Volume 1 | Page 8

W. Harrison Ainsworth
remind her of it? Better not. The
application would come soon enough. He was glad it devolved upon his
partner, and not on himself, to proceed to extremities with so charming
a person. He really could not do it. And yet all the while he chuckled
internally as he thought of the terrible dilemma in which she would be
speedily caught, and how completely it would place her at his mercy.
She must come to terms then. And Sir Francis rubbed his skinny hands
gleefully at the thought. On her part, Madame Bonaventure guessed
what was passing in his breast, and secretly enjoyed the idea of
checkmating him. With a captivating smile she left him to attend to her
numerous guests.
And very numerous they were on that day. More so than usual. Sir
Francis, who had brought a boat from Westminster, where he dwelt,
experienced some difficulty in landing at the stairs, invested as they
were with barges, wherries and watermen, all of whom had evidently
brought customers to the Three Cranes. Besides these, there were two
or three gilded pinnaces lying off the wharf, with oarsmen in rich
liveries, evidently belonging to persons of rank.

The benches and little tables in front of the tavern were occupied by
foreign merchants and traders, discussing their affairs over a stoop of
Bordeaux. Others, similarly employed, sat at the open casements in the
rooms above; each story projecting so much beyond the other that the
old building, crowned with its fanciful gables and heavy chimnies,
looked top-heavy, and as if it would roll over into the Thames some
day. Others, again, were seated over their wine in the pleasant little
chamber built over the porch, which, advancing considerably beyond
the door, afforded a delightful prospect, from its lantern-like windows,
of the river, now sparkling with sunshine (it was a bright May day), and
covered with craft, extending on the one hand to Baynard's Castle, and
on the other to the most picturesque object to be found then, or since, in
London--the ancient Bridge, with its towers, gateways, lofty
superstructures, and narrow arches through which the current dashed
swiftly; and, of course, commanding a complete view of the opposite
bank, beginning with Saint Saviour's fine old church, Winchester
House, the walks, gardens, and play-houses, and ending with the fine
groves of timber skirting Lambeth Marshes. Others repaired to the
smooth and well-kept bowling alley in the narrow court at the back of
the house, where there was a mulberry tree two centuries older than the
tavern itself--to recreate themselves with the healthful pastime there
afforded, and indulge at the same time in a few whiffs of tobacco,
which, notwithstanding the king's fulminations against it, had already
made its way among the people.
The ordinary was held in the principal room in the house; which was
well enough adapted for the purpose, being lofty and spacious, and
lighted by an oriel window at the upper end. Over the high carved
chimney-piece were the arms of the Vintners' Company, with a
Bacchus for the crest. The ceiling was moulded, and the wainscots of
oak; against the latter several paintings were hung. One of these
represented the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, and another the
triumphal entry of Henri IV. into rebellious Paris. Besides these, there
were portraits of the reigning monarch, James the First; the Marquis of
Buckingham, his favourite; and the youthful Louis XIII., king of
France. A long table generally ran down the centre of the room; but on
this occasion there was a raised cross-table at the upper end, with a

traverse, or curtain, partially drawn before it, proclaiming the presence
of important guests. Here the napery was finer, and the drinking-vessels
handsomer, than those used at the lower board. A grand banquet
seemed taking place. Long-necked flasks were placed in coolers, and
the buffets were covered with flagons and glasses. The table groaned
beneath the number and variety of dishes set upon it. In addition to the
customary yeomen-waiters, there were a host of serving-men in rich
and varied liveries, but these attended exclusively on their lords at the
raised table, behind the traverse.
As Sir Francis was ushered into the eating-room, he was quite taken
aback by the unusually magnificent display, and felt greatly surprised
that no hint of the banquet had been given him, on his arrival, by the
hostess. The feast had already commenced; and all the yeomen-waiters
and trencher-scrapers were too busily occupied to attend to him.
Cyprien, who marshalled the dishes at the lower table, did not deign to
notice him, and was deaf to his demand for a place. It seemed probable
he would not obtain one at all; and he was about to retire, much
disconcerted, when a young man somewhat plainly habited, and who
seemed
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