Accordingly, regardless of the impropriety of the proceeding, he uncovered his head, and advancing towards the Spaniard said—­

“I believe I have the honour of addressing the Conde de Gondomar?”

“What means this intrusion, Sir?” Lord Roos demanded insolently.  “What have you to say to his Excellency?”

“I bring him a token, my lord,” the young man replied, exhibiting the ring, given him by the masked horseman, to the ambassador.

“Ha!” exclaimed De Gondomar, glancing at the ring, and then regarding Jocelyn steadfastly, “I must speak with this young man, my lord.”

“And abandon the damsel?” demanded Lord Roos.

“No—­no—­you must take care of her,” De Gondomar replied in a low tone.  “Can you not induce Lady Exeter to take her into her service?”

“I will try,” Lord Roos replied.  “And see!” he added, pointing down the avenue, “the royal party is returning, so I can at once ascertain whether her ladyship will second your Excellency’s designs.”

“Do so,” said De Gondomar, “and I shall be for ever indebted to you.  This girl has quite taken my fancy, and I must not lose her.  And now, Sir,” he added, stepping aside with Jocelyn, “you have brought me the token from my assured agent, and I understand from it that you are a person upon whom I may rely.”

“In all that beseems a gentleman and a man of honour and loyalty your Excellency may rely on me,” Jocelyn replied.

“I shall require nothing inconsistent with those principles,” the Spanish Ambassador said.  “This point disposed of, let me know how I can serve you, for I presume you have some request to prefer?”

“Your Excellency can very materially serve me,” Jocelyn returned.  “I am in danger.”

“I thought as much,” De Gondomar observed with a smile.  “Since you have placed yourself under my protection, I will do my best to hold you harmless.  But who is your enemy?”

“I have two deadly enemies, Sir Giles Mompesson and Sir Francis Mitchell,” Jocelyn rejoined.

“I know them well—­instruments of Buckingham,” said De Gondomar.  “They are indeed dangerous enemies.”

“I have another yet more dangerous,” returned Jocelyn.  “I have reason to fear that, by boldness of speech I have incurred the enmity of the Marquis of Buckingham himself.”

“Ah! this, indeed, is serious,” said De Gondomar.

“I am threatened with arrest by the Star-Chamber,” pursued Jocelyn; “so your Excellency will perceive that my position is fraught with extreme peril.  Still I persuade myself, if I could obtain a hearing of the King, I should be able to set my enemies at defiance and obtain my right.”

De Gondomar smiled somewhat scornfully.

“You will obtain little in that way,” he said, “and your enemies will crush you effectually.  But you must explain to me precisely how you are circumstanced, and I will then consider what can be done for you.  And begin by acquainting me with your name and condition, for as yet I am entirely ignorant whom I am addressing.”