And with arms folded proudly on his breast, he waited for the acquittance that seemed to be his due.

“As the case stands now, it would be our duty and our pleasure to pronounce you guiltless,” Richard replied.  “But it so chances that there is still another witness on the charge of treason, whose testimony deals also with the abduction.  Wherefore, we shall be obliged to mingle somewhat the two matters and so to withhold our judgment until the trial is ended and all the evidence is in. . .  My Lord Chancellor, proceed with the reading.”

The Bishop resumed: 

“Also, I denounce the said Henry, Lord Darby, as the abductor of the Countess of Clare whom, he told me, he by pre-arrangement with her had seized one night in September and had carried to his castle—­she loving him, but being coerced by the King into marrying another.  And I, believing him, promised that he should wed her and receive her lands and title when Henry Tudor became King.  Only to-day did I learn that he had taken the maid by force, and that his story of her love for him was pure falsehood.  And it gratifies me much that, perchance, these words may aid in the lady’s rescue and her dastardly abductor’s punishment.  In testimony to the truth whereof, and in full appreciation of impending death, I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal of the Swan.  Given at the Inn of the Blue Boar, in the town of Salisbury, this second day of November, in the year of Grace 1483.”

The Chancellor folded the parchment.  “I have finished, Sire,” he said.

“Now, Lord Darby, you have had your wish and heard the statement full and entire,” the King admonished.  “If it has not improved your case, the next witness, methinks, is scarce likely to better it.”

At a sign, the Black Rod again withdrew, and once more there was profoundest silence; and upon the doorway in the corner all eyes were turned, save those of the accused.  He stood stolid and defiant glaring at De Lacy.  Then a cry went up, and after it came cheers and loud applause.  Nor did Richard offer to rebuke it, but himself leaned forward smiling.

Aroused at this, Lord Darby glanced around—­and suddenly his face went pale, and red, and pale again; and he staggered slightly, passing his hand across his forehead in a dazed-like way.  For there, advancing toward the Throne, hand in hand with the Queen, was the woman he thought securely hid in far distant Roxford Castle.

Then sharp panic seized him and he turned to flee.

But close behind him was the wall of courtiers, and beyond flashed the halberds of the guard.  Straightway, the terror passed, and he was again the cool soldier, contemptuous and indifferent—­though he saw full well the case would go against him and that death was drawing near.  And so he waited, utterly forgotten for the moment, amid the gladsome welcome for the Countess of Clare, whom all long since had given up for dead.