"'Tis a foul conspiracy against me, as will appear in the end." "This is only one amongst many such frauds committed by them, your Highness," said the scrivener.

"Since I have your gracious promise of pardon, I will make a clean breast of it, and reveal all I know.

Many and many a fair estate has been wrongfully wrested from its owner in this way--by forged deed or will.

I will name all the parties to your Highness." "Hereafter, I will listen to thee," rejoined Charles, motioning him to rise; "but I shall now confine myself to the case immediately before me.
Proceed, Sir," he added, to Lanyere.
"I have come to the saddest and darkest part of all," said the promoter.
"Your Highness has seen that a deed was forged to obtain possession of the Mounchensey estates--and the fraudulent design was only too successful.

It was in vain Sir Ferdinando denied all knowledge of the instrument--in vain he refused payment of the large sum demanded--his estates were seized by the extortioners--and he was deprived of the power of redemption.