The Star-Chamber: An Historical Romance, Volume 2. Ainsworth William Harrison

to be 'used by me against your employers. Are you willing to do this, or shall I strike upon the bell, and have you bound hand and foot, and conveyed to the Gatehouse?"

      "I will write that I was employed by the Countess of Exeter to poison you and my Lady Roos," replied Luke Hatton, stubbornly; "but I will do nothing more."

      "That will suffice," replied Lady Lake, after a moment's reflection.

      "And when I have done it, I shall be free to go?" he asked.

      "You shall be free to go," she replied.

      There were writing materials on an adjoining table, and, without another word, Luke Hatton sat down, and with great expedition drew up a statement which he signed, and handed to Lady Lake; asking if that was what she required?

      A smile lighted up her ghastly features as she perused it.

      "It will do," she said. "And now answer me one question, and you are free. Will this cordial have the same effect on my daughter as on me?"

      "Precisely the same. It will cure her. But you must proceed more cautiously. Were she to take the quantity you have taken, it would kill her. Am I now at liberty to depart?"

      "You are," replied Lady Lake.

      So saying, she struck the bell, and immediately afterwards the door was opened; not, however, by the attendants, but by Sir Thomas Lake.

      As the Secretary of State perceived that the apothecary avoided him, and would have passed forth quickly, he sternly and authoritatively commanded him to stay, exclaiming, "You stir not hence, till you have accounted to me for my daughter, who, I understand, is dying from your pernicious treatment. What ho, there! Keep strict watch without; and suffer not this man to pass forth!"

      CHAPTER III

      Showing that "our pleasant vices are made the whips to scourge us."

      We must now request the reader to visit the noble mansion in the Strand, erected by Thomas Cecil, then Earl of Exeter, and bearing-his name; in a chamber of which Lord Roos and the Countess of Exeter will be found alone together—alone for the last time.

      Very different was the deportment of the guilty pair towards each other from what it used to be. The glances they exchanged were no longer those of passionate love, but of undissembled hatred. Bitter reproaches had been uttered on one side, angry menaces on the other. Ever since the fatal order had been wrested from the Countess, her peace of mind had been entirely destroyed, and she had become a prey to all the horrors of remorse. Perceiving the change in her sentiments towards him, Lord Roos strove, by the arts which had hitherto proved so successful, to win back the place he had lost in her affections; but failing in doing so, and irritated by her reproaches, and still more by her coldness, he gave vent to his displeasure in terms that speedily produced a decided quarrel between them; and though reconciled in appearance, they never again were to each other what they had been.

      As this was to be their final meeting, they had agreed not to embitter it with unavailing reproaches and recriminations. Lord Roos acquainted the Countess that he had decided upon travelling into Italy and Spain, and remaining abroad for a lengthened period; and the announcement of his intention was received by her without an objection. Perhaps he hoped that when put to this trial she might relent. If so, he was disappointed. She even urged him not to delay his departure, and concluded her speech with these words—

      "Something tells me we shall meet no more in this world. But we are certain to meet hereafter at the Judgment Seat. How shall we regard each other then?"

      "Trouble me not with the question," rejoined Lord Roos gloomily; "I have not come here to listen to sermons, and will brook no more reproaches."

      "I do not mean to reproach you, William," she returned meekly; "but the thought of our dire offence rises perpetually before me. Would we could undo what we have done!"

      "I tell you it is too late," rejoined Lord Roos harshly.

      At this moment Diego suddenly presented himself, and apologizing for the abruptness of his entrance, accounted for it by saying that Sarah Swarton besought a word with his Lordship. She brought a message, he added, from Lady Roos, who was much worse, and not finding his Lordship at his own residence had ventured to follow him to Exeter House to deliver it.

      "I will come to her anon," said Lord Roos carelessly.

      "No, no; admit her at once, Diego," cried the Countess; "I would hear what she has to say." And the next moment Sarah Swarton being ushered into the room, she rushed up to her and eagerly demanded, "How fares it with your lady? Is there any hope for her?"

      "None whatever," replied Sarah, shaking her head sadly. "She is past all chance of recovery."

      "Then Heaven pardon me!" ejaculated the Countess, clasping her hands together, and falling upon her knees.

      Sarah Swarton gazed at her in astonishment; while Lord Roos, rushing towards her, commanded her to rise.

      "Take heed what you say and do, Countess," he whispered. "You will excite this woman's suspicions."

      "Why should your ladyship implore Heaven's pardon because my poor dear lady is near her end?" inquired Sarah.

      "I sue for it because I have caused her much affliction," replied the Countess.

      "Your message, Sarah—your message?" interposed Lord Roos. "What have you to say to me?"

      "My lady desires to see you once more before she expires, my lord," replied Sarah. "She would take leave of you; and—and—she has something to impart to you. You will not refuse her last request?"

      "He will not—he will not, I am sure," cried the Countess, seeing him look irresolute.

      "I did not expect to be seconded by you, my lady," observed Sarah, in increasing surprise.

      "Would that I, too, might see her and obtain her forgiveness!" exclaimed the Countess, without heeding the remark.

      "An idle wish, and not to be indulged," said Lord Roos.

      A sudden idea appeared to strike Sarah, and she cried, "Your ladyship's desire may possibly be gratified. My poor lady desires to part in peace with all the world, even with those who have injured her. I will communicate your wishes to her, and it may be she will consent to see you."

      "You shall have a reward well worthy of the service if you accomplish it," said the Countess. "Hasten to her with all speed, my Lord, and I will follow in my litter, ready to attend Sarah's summons."

      "I like not the plan," rejoined Lord Roos. "You are wrong to go. Why need you see her?"

      "Why?" she answered, regarding him fixedly. "Because it may be some little consolation to me afterwards."

      "Then go alone," said Lord Roos savagely. "I will not accompany you."

      "I do not ask you to accompany me, but to precede me," she replied.

      "Now, mark me, my Lord," she added in a low, firm tone, "and be assured I do not advance more than I will perform. If you refuse your wife's dying request, I will go back with Sarah and confess all to her."

      Lord Roos looked as if he could have annihilated her, and muttered a terrible imprecation on her head.

      "Threaten me—ay, and execute your threats hereafter if you will," continued the Countess in the same low decided tone, "but go you shall now."

      Her manner was so irresistible that Lord Roos was compelled to obey, and he quitted the room without a word more, followed by Diego and Sarah Swarton, the latter of whom signed to the Countess that she might depend upon the fulfilment of her wishes.

      They had not been gone many minutes before Lady Exeter entered her litter, and wholly unattended by page or serving-man, except those in charge of the conveyance, caused herself to be conveyed to Sir Thomas Lake's lodgings in Whitehall.

      CHAPTER IV

      How the forged Confession was produced

      Summoning up all his firmness for the interview with his lady, Lord Roos entered her chamber, attended by Sarah Swarton, and beheld her propped up by pillows,