CHAPTER XXIX.

Luke Hatton.

Feigning sudden indisposition (and the excuse was not altogether without foundation), the Countess of Exeter quitted Theobalds Palace on the day after her unlucky visit to Lord Roos’s chamber, and proceeded to her husband’s residence at Wimbledon, where she was speedily joined by her lover, who brought her word of the advantage he had gained over their foe.

“I have fairly checkmated my gracious mother-in-law,” he cried, with a laugh; “and it would have diverted you as much as it did me and De Gondomar, who was present on the occasion, if you could have witnessed her rage and mortification, when she discovered the change that had been effected; and that in place of your magnificent black ringlet (which I now wear next my heart, and shall ever keep as a love-token), she had only a sorry specimen of your hand-maiden’s lint-white locks.  As I live, it was truly laughable.  The good lady would have annihilated me if she could; and threatened me with terrible reprisals.  At first, she tried to attribute the transformation, which she could not otherwise account for, to witchcraft; and though I derided the charge, I must needs say, the trick was so cleverly performed, that it did look like magic.  The packet containing the tress of hair had never been out of her own keeping.  This she affirmed; and it was true.  But there was a friendly hand to open it nevertheless; to purloin its priceless treasure; and to substitute something of a similar kind, though of comparatively little value in its place.  That hand,—­one not likely to be suspected, was no other than that of my lady’s confidential attendant, Sarah Swarton.  The juggle was played by her at the instance of Diego.  Anticipating some such occurrence as the present, and desirous of having a spy upon the movements of our enemies, I some time since directed Diego to pay secret court to Sarah, and my forethought has now been rewarded.  The main difficulty lay with poor Gillian.  She was greatly embarrassed by her situation; and her perplexity was increased by the presence of a jealous lover in the shape of an apprentice, who refused to leave her till his doubts should be satisfied.  This was awkward, as the story could not be very well reconciled so as to suit all parties.  Accordingly, when the discovery was made, which seemed to proclaim the poor girl’s infidelity, the youth’s rage and consternation were nearly equal to Lady Lake’s; a circumstance that added considerable zest to the comedy.  But I see it does not divert you so much as I expected, and therefore, to relieve your mind, I may tell you that the jealous varlet soon repented of his rash determination, and pursuing his mistress, whom Do Gondomar had considerately taken under his protection, prevailed upon her to give the amorous ambassador the slip, and return with him to her father’s abode at Tottenham.”