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MISTRESS WILDING
BY RAFAEL SABATINI
CONTENTS
I. POT-VALIANCE
II. SIR ROWLAND TO THE RESCUE
III. DIANA SCHEMES
IV. TERMS OF SURRENDER
V. THE ENCOUNTER
VI. THE CHAMPION
VII. THE NUPTIALS of RUTH WESTMACOTT
VIII. BRIDE AND GROOM
IX. MR. TRENCHARD'S COUNTERSTROKE
X. THEIR OWN PETARD
XI. THE MARPLOT
XII. AT THE FORD
XIII "PRO RELIGIONE ET LIBERTATE"
XIV. HIS GRACE IN COUNSEL
XV. LYME OF THE KING
XVI. PLOTS AND PLOTTERS
XVII. MR. WILDING'S RETURN
XVIII. BETRAYAL
XIX. THE BANQUET
XX. THE RECKONING
XXI. THE SENTENCE
XXII. THE EXECUTION
XXIII. MR. WILDING'S BOOTS
CHAPTER I
POT-VALIANCE
Then drink it thus, cried the rash young fool, and splashed the contents of his cup full into the face of Mr. Wilding even as that gentleman, on his feet, was proposing to drink to the eyes of the young fool's sister.
The moments that followed were full of interest. A stillness, a brooding, expectant stillness, fell upon the company - and it numbered a round dozen - about Lord Gervase's richly appointed board. In the soft candlelight the oval table shone like a deep brown pool, in which were reflected the gleaming silver and sparkling crystal that seemed to float upon it.
Blake sucked in his nether-lip, his florid face a thought less florid than its wont, his prominent blue eyes a thought more prominent. Under its golden periwig old Nick Trenchard's wizened countenance was darkened by a scowl, and his fingers, long, swarthy, and gn