It would grieve me," he added with a bitter smile, "to drag so pretty a woman through the public streets, like a common debtor, to the Compter." "Grace! grace! Sir Giles," cried Madame Bonaventure.

Then seeing him remain inflexible, she added, in an altered tone, "I will never submit with life to such an indignity--never!" "We'll all protect you, Madame," cried the assemblage with one voice--"Let him lay hands upon you, and he shall see." Sir Giles glanced at his myrmidons.

They stepped quickly towards him in a body.

At the same time Jocelyn Mounchensey, whom no efforts of the friendly gentleman could now restrain, sprang forward, and, drawing his sword, was just in time to place himself before Madame Bonaventure, as she drew hastily back.
"Have no fear, Madame, you are safe with me," the young man said, glancing fiercely at the knight and his troop.
The greatest confusion now reigned throughout the room.

Other swords were drawn, and several of the guests mounted upon the benches to overlook the scene.