"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. "Before I came here, I summoned her in your name."
"We will see," cried Sir Thomas, striking upon the bell. And the usher, appearing to the summons, informed him that in effect the damsel in question was in attendance. "She seems much alarmed, Sir Thomas," said the usher, "and has with her a young man, who appears to take a tender interest in her, and wishes to be present at the investigation."
"Let him come in with her," said the Secretary of State. And seeing the usher pause, he inquired if he had anything further to say.