In a very remarkable letter, subsequently addressed by Lady Lake to her successful opponent in this great case, she said:—­“I wish my submission could make you an innocent woman, and wash you as white as a swan; but it must be your own submission unto God, and many prayers, and tears, and afflictions, which, seeing you have not outwardly, examine your heart, and think on times past, and remember what I have written to you heretofore.  The same I do now again, for I yet nothing doubt, but that, although the Lord Roos was sent away, and is dead, yet truth lives.”  The truth, however, was never fully brought to light; and that justice which the vindictive lady expected was denied her.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

The two warrants.

At the conclusion of the trial, James was observed to smile, and Buckingham, who had drawn near the chair of state, ventured to inquire what it was that entertained his Majesty.

“Our fancy has been tickled by a curious conceit,” answered the King.  “We discern a singular similitude between the case we hae just heard, and the transgression of our first parents.”

“How so, your Majesty?” asked the favourite.

“As thus,” replied James.  “Sir Thomas Lake may be likened to our gude Father Adam, wha fell into sin frae listening to the beguilements of Eve—­Mither Eve being represented by his dochter, my Lady Roos—­and ye will own that there cannot be a closer resemblance to the wily auld serpent than we find in my Lady Lake.”

“Excellent!” cried Buckingham, joining in the royal laughter; “but before your Majesty quits that seat, I must entreat you to perform that which I know you delight in—­an act of justice.”

“Anither act of justice, ye should say, my Lord,” returned James in a tone of slight rebuke; “seeing we hae just delivered a maist memorable judgment in a case which has cost us five days of incessant labour and anxious consideration.  But what is it ye require at our hands?  In whose behalf are we to exercise our prerogative?”

“In that of Sir Jocelyn Mounchensey, my gracious Liege,” replied Buckingham, “who has been committed to the Fleet for contempt of this high and honourable Court, and can only be released by your Majesty’s warrant.  As I was myself present on the occasion, when the intemperate expressions laid to his charge were used, I can affirm that he was goaded on by his enemies to utter them; and that in his calmer moments he must have regretted his rashness.”

“Ye shall have the warrant, my Lord,” said James, with a smile.  “And it does ye meikle credit to have made the request.  The punishment Sir Jocelyn has already endured is amply sufficient for the offence; and we hae nae fears of its being repeated.  A single visit to the Fleet is eneuch for any man.  But in respect to Sir Jocelyn, I am happy to say that his Excellency the Conde de Gondomar has quite set him right in our gude