“Not now,” replied Charles.  “Let him be taken to the Fleet.  But there were other matters of more importance than the treasures—­the deeds and legal instruments.  These, as being useless to the robbers, were probably left untouched.”

“They were so, your Highness,” replied Luke Hatton.

“Would they had burned them!” ejaculated Mompesson.  “Would all had been destroyed!”

And he gave utterance to such wild exclamations of rage, accompanied by such frenzied gestures, that the halberdiers seized him, and dragged him out of the room.  The old usurer was removed at the same time.

“And now,” said Charles, rising from his chair, “one thing only remains to be done ere I depart, and it will he pleasanter to me than aught that has preceded it.  I must again address myself to you, Sir Jocelyn Mounchensey, ay, and to you, also, fair Mistress Aveline.  I pray you to come near me,” he continued, with a gracious smile, to the damsel.

And, as she blushingly complied,—­for she half divined his purpose,—­he said—­“As I have already told you, Sir Jocelyn, your restoration to the King’s favour is complete, and your re-appearance at Court would be a gratification to his Majesty, but, after the events which have occurred, a brief retirement will, I conceive, be most agreeable to you, and I would counsel a visit to the hall of your ancestors.”

“Nothing could be more in accordance with my own wishes, most gracious Prince, if my newly-found relative will accept me as his guest.”

“Not as his guest, my good nephew” said Osmond.  “You are sole lord of Mounchensey.  I have made over the mansion and all the estates to you.  They are yours, as by right they should be.”

Sir Jocelyn’s emotion was too great to allow him to express his gratitude in words.

“A noble gift!” exclaimed Charles.  “But you must not go there alone, Sir Jocelyn.  You must take a bride with you.  This fair lady has well approved her love for you—­as you have the depth of your devotion to her.  Take her from my hands.  Take her to jour heart; and may years of fondest wedded happiness attend you both!  When you re-appear at Court, you will be all the more welcome if Lady Mounchensey be with you.”

So saying, he placed Aveline’s hand in that of her lover; and, with a look of ineffable delight, they knelt to express their gratitude.

The Prince and the courtly train passed out—­and, lastly, Sir Jocelyn and the object of his affections.  Vainly did he seek for his relative and benefactor.  Osmond Mounchensey had disappeared.  But, just as the young Knight and his fair companion were quitting the house, Luke Hatton, followed by two porters, bearing a stout chest, approached them, and said—­

“Sir Jocelyn, you have seen the last of your uncle.  He has charged me to bid you an eternal adieu.  You will never hear of him again, unless you hear of his death.  May no thoughts of him mar your happiness—­or that of her you love.  This is what he bade me say to you.  This chest contains the title-deeds of your estates—­and amongst them is a deed of gift from him to you.  They will be conveyed by these porters whithersoever you may direct them.  And now, having discharged mine office, I must take my leave.”