For God's sake, man, be calm!" he said, as he loosed him. "Let
Richard deal with him."

And the Countess, as Darby's vile insinuations reached her ears, drew
herself up and gently putting aside the Queen, turned and faced him.
And her mouth set hard, and her fingers clenched her palms
convulsively. So, she heard him to the end, proudly and defiantly; and
when he had done, she raised her hand and pointed at him once again.

"Though I am a woman," she exclaimed, "here do I tell you, Lord Darby,
you lie in your throat!"

"Aye, my lady! that he does," a strange voice called; and from the
doorway strode Simon Gorges, the anger on his ugly face flaming red as
the hair above it.

"May I speak, Sire?" he demanded, halting before the Throne and
saluting the King in brusque, soldier fashion.

"Say on, my man," said Richard.

"Then hear you all the truth, touching this dirty business," he cried
loudly. "I am Flat-Nose. At Lord Darby's order, I waylaid and seized
by force the Countess of Clare, and carried her to Roxford Castle.
Never for one moment went she of her own accord, and never for one
moment stayed she willingly. She was prisoner there; ever watched and
guarded, and not allowed outside the walls. In all the weeks she was
there Lord Darby saw her only once. And when he spoke to her of love,
she scorned and lashed him so with words methought he sure would kill
her, for I was just outside the door and heard it all."

"Truly, Sire, you have arranged an entertainment more effective than I
had thought even your deep brain could scheme," Darby sneered, as
Gorges paused for breath. . . "What was your price, Simon? It should
have been a goodly one."

"Measure him not by your standard, my fair lord," said the King. "He
held your castle until none but him was left; and even then yielded not
to his assailants, but only to the Countess."

"And upon the strict engagement that I should not be made to bear
evidence against you," Flat-Nose added. "But even a rough man-at-arms
would be thrice shamed to hear a woman so traduced and not speak in her
favor. Therefore, my lord, I, too, say you lie."

But Darby only shrugged his shoulders and bowed to the Countess.

"Your ladyship is irresistible," he said, "since you have wiles for
both the master and the man."

"Shame! Shame!" exclaimed the grey-haired Norfolk, and the whole
throng joined in the cry.

Then forth stepped Sir Aymer de Lacy.

"I pray you, my liege,