The Star-Chamber, Volume 2 | Page 9

by the one,

and witnessed by the other."
"It is a forgery!" shrieked the Countess. "You have charged me with
witchcraft; but you practise it yourself."
"If I did not know it to be false, I could have sworn the hand was yours,
Countess," cried Lord Roos; "and my own signature is equally skilfully
simulated."
"False or not," cried Lady Lake, "it shall be laid before Lord Exeter as I
have said--with all the details--ay, and before the King."
"Before the King!" repeated Lord Roos, as he drew near Lady Exeter,
and whispered in her ear--"Countess, our sole safety is in immediate
flight. Circumstances are so strong against us, that we shall never be
able to disprove this forgery."
"Then save yourself in the way you propose, my Lord," she rejoined,
with scorn. "For me, I shall remain, and brave it out."
The young nobleman made a movement towards the door.
"You cannot go forth without my order, my Lord," cried Sir Thomas
Lake. "It is guarded."
"Perdition!" exclaimed Lord Roos.
Again Lady Lake looked from one to the other with a smile of triumph.
But it was presently checked by a look from her daughter, who made a
sign to her to approach her.
"What would you, my child?--more of the cordial?" demanded Lady
Lake.
"No, mother," she replied, in a tone so low as to be inaudible to the
others. "Nor will I suffer another drop to pass my lips unless my
husband be allowed to depart without molestation."
"Would you interfere with my vengeance?" said Lady Lake.

"Ay, mother, I will interfere with it effectually unless you comply,"
rejoined Lady Roos, firmly. "I will acquaint the Countess with the true
nature of that confession. As it is, she has awakened by her conduct
some feelings of pity in my breast."
"You will ruin all by your weakness," said Lady Lake.
"Let Lord Roos go free, and let there be a truce between you and the
Countess for three days, and I am content."
"I do not like to give such a promise," said Lady Lake. "It will be hard
to keep it."
"It may be harder to lose all your vengeance," rejoined Lady Roos, in a
tone that showed she would not be opposed.
Compelled to succumb, Lady Lake moved towards Sir Thomas, and a
few words having passed between them in private, the Secretary of
State thus addressed his noble son-in-law--
"My Lord," he said in a grave tone, "at the instance of my daughter,
though much against my own inclination, and that of my wife, I will no
longer oppose your departure. I understand you are about to travel, and
I therefore recommend you to set forth without delay, for if you be
found in London, or in England, after three days, during which time, at
the desire also of our daughter--and equally against our own
wishes--we consent to keep truce with my lady of Exeter; if, I say, you
are found after that time, I will not answer for the consequences to
yourself. Thus warned, my Lord, you are at liberty to depart."
"I will take advantage of your offer, Sir Thomas, and attend to your
hint," replied Lord Roos. And turning upon his heel, he marched
towards the door, whither he was accompanied by Sir Thomas Lake,
who called to the attendants outside to let him go free.
"Not one word of farewell to me! not one look!" exclaimed his wife,
sinking back upon the pillow.

"Nor for me--and I shall see him no more," murmured the Countess,
compressing her beautiful lips. "But it is better thus."
While this was passing, Luke Hatton had contrived to approach the
Countess, and now said in a low tone--"If your ladyship will trust to me,
and make it worth my while, I will deliver you from the peril in which
you are placed by this confession. Shall I come to Exeter House
to-night?"
She consented.
"At what hour?"
"At midnight," she returned. "I loathe thee, yet have no alternative but
to trust thee. Am I free to depart likewise?" she added aloud to Sir
Thomas.
"The door is open for you, Countess," rejoined the Secretary of State,
with mock ceremoniousness. "After three days, you understand, war is
renewed between us."
"War to the death," subjoined Lady Lake.
"Be it so," replied the Countess. "I shall not desert my post."
And assuming the dignified deportment for which she was remarkable,
she went forth with a slow and majestic step.
Luke Hatton would have followed her, but Sir Thomas detained him.
"Am I a prisoner?" he said, uneasily, and glancing at Lady Lake. "Her
ladyship promised me instant liberation."
"And the promise shall be fulfilled as soon as I am satisfied my
daughter is out of danger," returned Sir Thomas.
"I