"It will be a triple pleasure," said the Duke, "to revenge myself on Darby and do some service to the Countess and to you."
"With your permission, my lord," Ratcliffe observed, "Kendale will take down your statement and you may sign it… His Majesty will not return till vespers."
The Duke laughed shortly. "Ere which time I shall be sped, you mean. Well, summon Kendale, and that promptly, for methinks yon scaffold is about ready for its office."
Word for word the King's secretary reduced the narrative.
"Read it," the Duke commanded when it was done… "Is that sufficiently definite and accurate? … Then let me sign it."
With a labored flourish he attached his name and sealed it with his ring. Ratcliffe and Kendale duly attested it; and sealing it again over the outside edge he handed it to De Lacy:
"When Darby stands against you," he said, "strike one blow for the dead Buckingham… Nay, man, take it not so to heart; it is a hazard we all must play some time. And who knows, forsooth, but that in the cast I win a fairer land than this I leave behind?"
"Aye, perchance it is we who lose," said Ratcliffe thoughtfully.
"God grant it be so," De Lacy added.
"Amen!" the Duke rejoined. "For then some day you, too, shall win."