“But that proof of which you were speaking?” cried Sir Thomas.  “Let me hear it?  Perhaps it may obviate the necessity of this dangerous proceeding?”

“I do not think so.  But you shall judge.  Last night, our daughter and myself obtained secret admittance to Lord Roos’s chamber, and we found the Countess there, and fainting in his arms.”

“Why that is enough to convict them.  You want nothing more.”

“Hear me to an end, and you will change your opinion.  Placing the inanimate Countess on a couch, and covering her face with a handkerchief, Lord Roos had the effrontery to assert that we were mistaken; insisting that it was not Lady Exeter we beheld—­but her hand-maiden, Gillian Greenford; and he appealed to the perfidious knave, Diego, in confirmation of his assertion.”

“But you did not leave without satisfying yourselves of the truth?” demanded Sir Thomas.

“His lordship took care we should have no means of doing so,” she answered.  “He caused Diego to convey her away by a secret staircase.”

“’Sdeath! that was unlucky.  You have no proof then that it was the Countess you beheld?”

“Nothing beyond a lock of her hair, which was secured by Lady Roos as the man was removing her.”

“That may be enough,” cried the Secretary of State; “and prevent the necessity of resorting to this frightful expedient.  We must see the girl, and interrogate her.  Gillian Greenford you say she is called.  She shall be brought hither at once.”

“It is possible she may be without,” returned Lady Lake.  “Before I came here, I summoned her in your name.”

“We will see,” cried Sir Thomas, striking upon the bell.  And the usher, appearing to the summons, informed him that in effect the damsel in question was in attendance.  “She seems much alarmed, Sir Thomas,” said the usher, “and has with her a young man, who appears to take a tender interest in her, and wishes to be present at the investigation.”

“Let him come in with her,” said the Secretary of State.  And seeing the usher pause, he inquired if he had anything further to say.

“His Excellency the Spanish Ambassador and my Lord Roos are without, and desire admittance,” replied the man.

Sir Thomas consulted his lady by a look; and as she made no objection, he signified his pleasure that they should be admitted, and accordingly the door was thrown open for the entrance of all the persons mentioned.

Gillian came first, and seemed much embarrassed by the situation in which she found herself.  She had been well tutored for the part she had to play; but the instructions she had received entirely fled from her mind as she found herself in the presence of two such awful personages as Sir Thomas Lake and his lady, both of whom fixed keen glances upon her.  Feeling ready to drop with fright, she looked at Dick Taverner, as if imploring his support.  But this Dick declined to afford.  His jealousy having