his pride come down so soon?
What! in one single day does he send for the man that he maltreated
the night before? Such is human pride and human weakness. Well, well,
Wilton, we will not mar your young fortunes. You shall have every
opportunity, and perhaps may serve the Duke; although, I very much
fear," he added, in a graver tone, "from the Duke of Shrewsbury
having signed the warrant, that your good friend has been led much
farther into these matters than you are aware of. Make out an order
to see him, and I will sign it."
"But cannot I, my lord, obtain any information," said Wilton, as he
wrote the order, "concerning the real charges against the Duke?"
"I really am not aware of them," replied Lord Byerdale. "The
business has not been done through this office. I have seen Fenwick,
indeed, but he only spoke generally, and seemed inclined to accuse
everybody indiscriminately. However, I will send to Lord Shrewsbury,
and ask all the particulars; but, by the way, Shrewsbury went out of
town to-day. I must write to Vernon, his secretary, instead;" and
sitting down, he wrote and despatched a note to a neighbouring
ministerial office. An answer was almost immediately returned in the
following terms:--
"MY LORD,-I have been honoured with your lordship's
note, and beg to inform you that the charge against the Duke
of Gaveston is for high treason, in having heard and connived
at the projected assassination of the King in the beginning
of this year, together with various other counts, such as
that of levying war, holding treasonable correspondence with
the enemy, and concealing the designs of traitors, &c. Your
lordship's order will admit Mr. Brown immediately to the
Tower, as no particular directions have been given in regard
to keeping the Duke a close prisoner. His grace of Shrewsbury
went out of town to Eyford at eleven this morning.--
I have the honour to be, your lordship's obedient servant,"
&c.
"There, Wilton," said the Earl, putting over the note to his
secretary, "there is all the information that I can obtain on the
subject; and here, take the order, and go and see your friend the
Duke. Tell him I will come and see him to-morrow, and give him what
consolation you can; but yet do not act like a silly boy, and make
too light of the business, for two reasons: first, because the matter
is really serious--the good folks of London have an appetite for
blood upon them just now, and will not be satisfied