"
"But that proof of which you were speaking?" cried Sir Thomas. "Let me
hear it? Perhaps it may obviate the necessity of this dangerous
proceeding?"
"I do not think so. But you shall judge. Last night, our daughter and
myself obtained secret admittance to Lord Roos's chamber, and we found
the Countess there, and fainting in his arms."
"Why that is enough to convict them. You want nothing more."
"Hear me to an end, and you will change your opinion. Placing the
inanimate Countess on a couch, and covering her face with a
handkerchief, Lord Roos had the effrontery to assert that we were
mistaken; insisting that it was not Lady Exeter we beheld--but her
hand-maiden, Gillian Greenford; and he appealed to the perfidious knave,
Diego, in confirmation of his assertion."
"But you did not leave without satisfying yourselves of the truth?"
demanded Sir Thomas.
"His lordship took care we should have no means of doing so," she
answered. "He caused Diego to convey her away by a secret staircase."
"'Sdeath! that was unlucky. You have no proof then that it was the
Countess you beheld?"
"Nothing beyond a lock of her hair, which was secured by Lady Roos as
the man was removing her."
"That may be enough," cried the Secretary of State; "and prevent the
necessity of resorting to this frightful expedient. We must see the
girl, and interrogate her. Gillian Greenford you say she is called. She
shall be brought hither at once."
"It is possible she may be without," returned Lady Lake.
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