The Star-Chamber, Volume 2 An Historical Romance

ace-Yard of

to the flourishes of the trumpets and cornets, the thundering bruit of the kettle-drums, and other martial m

he diversity of their habiliments,-some of the knights having cuirasses and helmets, polished as silver, and reflecting the sun's rays as from a mirror,-some, russet-coloured armour,-some, blue harness,-some, fluted,-some, corslets damaskeened with gold, and richly ornamented,-others, black and lacquered breastplates, as was the cas

that the line of the procession should first take its course through the Holbein Grate, and then, keeping near the wall of the Privy Garden, should pass beneath the King's Gate and draw u

than any other in the procession, attracted the attention of the spectators. This youthful knight's visor was raised so as to disclose his features, and these were so comely, that, combined with his finely-proportioned figure, perfectly displayed by his armour, he offered an ensemble of manly attractions almost irresistible

ckingham, still greater attention was bestowed upon him; and as his good looks and gallant bearing oper

t favourite and his princely retinue were so few and so wanting in spirit, that he who was wholly unaccustomed to such neglect, and who had been jealously listening to the cheers attending Mo

estrode his powerful charger like one well accustomed to the saddle; but though no one could gainsay his skill as a horseman, or his possible

les Mompesson, and very grim

aded. So were the gates of the Old Palace hard by-so were the buttresses of the Abbey; and men were perched, like grotesque ornaments, on crocketed pinnacles and stone water-spouts. The tall and curiously-painted clock tower, resembling an Italian campanile, which then faced the portals of Westminster Hall, was covered with spectators. But the position most coveted, and esteemed the best, was the fountain at tha

y Gillian, nothing could please her better, for she could not only see all that was going forward, but everybody could see her-even Prince Charles himself; and she flattered herself that she attraeted no little attention. And now that the whole of the procession had come up, the picture was certainly magnificent, and well worth contemplation. Everything was favourable to the enjoyment of the spectacle. The day was bright and beautiful, and a sparkli

ath and clapped his bonnet on his head, for an object met his eye which fixed his attention. It was the sombre figure of a knight accoutred in black armour, wh

Giles Mompesson? What doth he here amidst this noble company? The v

if you are wise," mutter

y mind. I am not afraid of him. Harkye, my masters," he called, in a loud voice, to those around him. "Do you know who that black raven before you is? If not, I will

er, indignantly. "Yet, now I

ehold, he is closing his visor. He thinks to hide himself from our notice; but the trick shall no

tanders, and Sir Giles's name was coupled with epi

alone, fool," cried the

bring yoursel

wards him, and singling him out, seized him with his gauntleted hand, and dragged him from the edge of the fountain. Dick struggled manfully to get free, but he was in a grasp of iron, and all his efforts at releasing himself were ineffectual. He called on th

uld maltreat me, I shall be well avenged by my patron, Sir Jocelyn Mounchensey. I would my voice might reach him-I should not lo

sey, pressing through the throng

roared the apprentice; "I am in the clutch

ied Sir Jocelyn. "Set

I comma

efuse?" rejoi

enforce compliance,"

Sir Giles. And as he spoke, he thrust back the apprentice with such force that he would

Sir Giles, fiercely; "you shal

ust have no unseemly brawls here. To your places at once in the pro

ound of disturbance was drowned by the trampling of steed

ress and her grandsire along with him; but the former had been so much terrified by what had occurred, that dread

, Dick, you will take me away, and not expose yourself to further risk.

y sounded in Dick's ears; "if he had taken mine, he would not have voluntarily thrust himself in

rned towards the speaker, and beheld a tal

is the Enemy!" exclai

froward lover neglected my previous caution, but I will give him another, in the hope that you may induce him to profit by it. Let him keep out o

ch consternation. So earnest was the maiden for instant departure, that Dick was obliged to comply; and as the whole of the thoroughfares about Whi