The Star-Chamber, Volume 2 | Page 5

into the glass,
saying as she drank it, "I reserve the other half for Lady Roos."
Luke Hatton, who appeared thunder-stricken, made no further effort to
prevent her, but turned to fly. Lady Lake, however, upon whom the
restorative effect of the cordial was almost magical, ordered him to stay,
telling him if he went forth he would be arrested, on hearing which he
sullenly obeyed her.
"You have not deceived me as to the efficacy of the potion," said the
lady; "it has given me new life, and with returning vigour I can view all
things as I viewed them heretofore. Now mark what I have to say,
villain. You have placed me and my daughter in fearful jeopardy; but it
is in your power to make reparation for the injury; and as I hold you to
be a mere instrument in the matter, I am willing to spare the life you
have forfeited, on condition of your making a full confession in writing
of your attempt, to be 'used by me against your employers. Are you
willing to do this, or shall I strike upon the bell, and have you bound
hand and foot, and conveyed to the Gatehouse?"
"I will write that I was employed by the Countess of Exeter to poison
you and my Lady Roos," replied Luke Hatton, stubbornly; "but I will
do nothing more."
"That will suffice," replied Lady Lake, after a moment's reflection.
"And when I have done it, I shall be free to go?" he asked.
"You shall be free to go," she replied.

There were writing materials on an adjoining table, and, without
another word, Luke Hatton sat down, and with great expedition drew
up a statement which he signed, and handed to Lady Lake; asking if
that was what she required?
A smile lighted up her ghastly features as she perused it.
"It will do," she said. "And now answer me one question, and you are
free. Will this cordial have the same effect on my daughter as on me?"
"Precisely the same. It will cure her. But you must proceed more
cautiously. Were she to take the quantity you have taken, it would kill
her. Am I now at liberty to depart?"
"You are," replied Lady Lake.
So saying, she struck the bell, and immediately afterwards the door was
opened; not, however, by the attendants, but by Sir Thomas Lake.
As the Secretary of State perceived that the apothecary avoided him,
and would have passed forth quickly, he sternly and authoritatively
commanded him to stay, exclaiming, "You stir not hence, till you have
accounted to me for my daughter, who, I understand, is dying from
your pernicious treatment. What ho, there! Keep strict watch without;
and suffer not this man to pass forth!"

CHAPTER III.
Showing that "our pleasant vices are made the whips to scourge us."
We must now request the reader to visit the noble mansion in the
Strand, erected by Thomas Cecil, then Earl of Exeter, and bearing-his
name; in a chamber of which Lord Roos and the Countess of Exeter
will be found alone together--alone for the last time.
Very different was the deportment of the guilty pair towards each other
from what it used to be. The glances they exchanged were no longer

those of passionate love, but of undissembled hatred. Bitter reproaches
had been uttered on one side, angry menaces on the other. Ever since
the fatal order had been wrested from the Countess, her peace of mind
had been entirely destroyed, and she had become a prey to all the
horrors of remorse. Perceiving the change in her sentiments towards
him, Lord Roos strove, by the arts which had hitherto proved so
successful, to win back the place he had lost in her affections; but
failing in doing so, and irritated by her reproaches, and still more by
her coldness, he gave vent to his displeasure in terms that speedily
produced a decided quarrel between them; and though reconciled in
appearance, they never again were to each other what they had been.
As this was to be their final meeting, they had agreed not to embitter it
with unavailing reproaches and recriminations. Lord Roos acquainted
the Countess that he had decided upon travelling into Italy and Spain,
and remaining abroad for a lengthened period; and the announcement
of his intention was received by her without an objection. Perhaps he
hoped that when put to this trial she might relent. If so, he was
disappointed. She even urged him not to delay his departure, and
concluded her speech with these words--
"Something tells me we shall meet no more in this world. But we are
certain to meet hereafter at the Judgment Seat. How shall we regard
each other then?"
"Trouble me not with