The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mistress Wilding, by Rafael Sabatini

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Title: Mistress Wilding

Author: Rafael Sabatini

Posting Date: September 17, 2008 [EBook #1457]
Release Date: September, 1998

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISTRESS WILDING ***

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MISTRESS WILDING

By Rafael Sabatini

CONTENTS

I. POT-VALIANCE

II. SIR ROWLAND TO THE RESCUE

III. DIANA SCHEMES

IV. TERMS OF SURRENDER

V. THE ENCOUNTER

VI. THE CHAMPION

VII. THE NUPTIALS of RUTH WESTMACOTT

VIII. BRIDE AND GROOM

IX. MR. TRENCHARD'S COUNTERSTROKE

X. THEIR OWN PETARD

XI. THE MARPLOT

XII. AT THE FORD

XIII "PRO RELIGIONE ET LIBERTATE"

XIV. HIS GRACE IN COUNSEL

XV. LYME OF THE KING

XVI. PLOTS AND PLOTTERS

XVII. MR. WILDING'S RETURN

XVIII. BETRAYAL

XIX. THE BANQUET

XX. THE RECKONING

XXI. THE SENTENCE

XXII. THE EXECUTION

XXIII. MR. WILDING'S BOOTS

XXIV. JUSTICE

CHAPTER I. POT-VALIANCE

Then drink it thus, cried the rash young fool, and splashed the contents
of his cup full into the face of Mr. Wilding even as that gentleman, on
his feet, was proposing to drink to the eyes of the young fool's sister.

The moments that followed were full of interest. A stillness, a
brooding, expectant stillness, fell upon the company--and it numbered
a round dozen--about Lord Gervase's richly appointed board. In the soft
candlelight the oval table shone like a deep brown pool, in which were
reflected the gleaming silver and sparkling crystal that seemed to float
upon it.

Blake sucked in his nether-lip, his florid face a thought less florid
than its wont, his prominent blue eyes a thought more prominent. Under
its golden periwig old Nick Trenchard's wizened countenance was darkened
by a scowl, and his fingers, long, swarthy, and gnarled, drummed
fretfully upon the table. Portly Lord Gervase Scoresby--their host, a
benign and placid man of peace, detesting turbulence--turned crimson now
in wordless rage. The others gaped and stared--some at young Westmac