"What accusation is this that you dare to bring against me ?" "I repeat what I said, Sir James," Dame Alice replied quietly.

"I know that you plotted with the water pirates of Lambeth to upset our boat as we came down the Thames; that you treacherously delayed us at Richmond in order that we might not reach London before dark; and that by enveloping me in a white cloak you gave a signal by which I might be known to your creatures." The knight stood for a moment astounded.

He was aware that the fact that he had had some share in the outrage was known, and was not surprised that his cousin was acquainted with the secret; but that she should know all the details with which but one besides himself was, as he believed, acquainted, completely stupefied him.

He rapidly, however, recovered himself.
"I recall now," he said scornfully, "the evidence which was given before the justices by some ragged city boy, to the effect that he had overheard a few words of a conversation between some ruffian over in the Lambeth marshes, and an unknown person; but it is new to me indeed that there was any suspicion that I was the person alluded to, still less that a lady of my own family, in whose affection I believed, should credit so monstrous an accusation." "I would that I could discredit it, Sir James," Dame Vernon said sadly; "but the proofs were too strong for me.

Much more of your conversation than was narrated in court was overheard, and it was at my request that the ragged boy, as you call him, kept silence." "And is it possible," the knight asked indignantly, "that you believed the word of a fellow like this to the detriment to your kinsman?
Why, in any court of law the word of such a one as opposed to that of a knight and gentleman of honour would not be taken for a moment." "You are mistaken, sir," Dame Vernon said haughtily.