So saying, and placing the parchment within his doublet, he hastily quitted the chamber.

“Perdition! have I been outwitted?” cried Sir Giles.  “But he shall not escape me.”  And rushing after him, he called from the head of the great staircase—­“What, ho!  Captain Bludder!—­and ye, Tom Wootton and Cutting Dick—­let not Lanyere go forth.  Stay him and take from him the deed which he hath placed in his doublet.  Cut him down, or stab him if he resists.”

But, though efforts were made to obey Sir Giles’s commands, the promoter effected his retreat.

CHAPTER XVI.

Sir Jocelyn’s rupture with de Gondomar.

Far and wide echoed the report of Sir Jocelyn’s brilliant achievements at the jousts; and wherever he went, he was hailed as vanquisher of the hitherto-unconquered Buckingham.  He bore his honours meekly, yet he did not escape calumny; for at a court, as everywhere else, distinguished success is certain to awaken a spirit of envy and detraction.  These paltry feelings, however, were entirely confined to the disappointed of his own sex.  By fairer and more impartial judges, who had witnessed his exploits, he was spoken of in terms of unmingled admiration; and at the grand revel at Whitehall that followed the jousts, many a soft glance told him how tenderly the gentle heart, whose feelings it betrayed, was inclined towards him.  Faithful, loyal, and chivalrous, our young knight was as much proof against these lures, as against the ruder attacks of his armed opponents in the lists; and his constancy to the lady of his love remained entirely unshaken.  Far rather would he have been with Aveline, in her humble dwelling, than in those superb festal halls, surrounded by all that was noble and beautiful—­all that was dangerous and delusive.  Far rather would he have received one smile from her, one kindly look, than all the blandishments showered upon him by these enchantresses.

Fain would he have avoided the banquet—­but as the hero of the day, he was compelled to attend it.  Indeed, he had to enact a principal part at the revel; and so well did he play it that compliments were lavished upon him, enough to have turned an ordinary head.  Not from any desire for ostentatious display, but because Prince Charles had signified to him his wishes on the subject, he was arrayed in all the pearls and ornaments he had won from Buckingham; and more than one subtle courtier, anxious to stand well with him, flatteringly declared that they became him infinitely better than the Marquis.  Others, less favourably disposed, remarked that his gem-bedecked doublet was like the garment of Nessus, and would cause its wearer’s destruction; and if they could have read Buckingham’s secret thoughts, when he beheld his rival so adorned, they would have felt that the observation was not unwarranted.  But, though fully determined upon revenge, Buckingham allowed neither look nor word to betray his purpose.  On the contrary, he displayed more than his usual affability to Mounchensey, laughed at his own ill-luck, and even went so far as to say that Sir Giles Mompesson had been rightly served; adding, that he blamed himself for including him in his party, and was glad Sir Jocelyn had handled him so rudely.