Let me assure you that you have now no more zealous friends than the Conde de Gondomar and the Marquis of Buckingham." "For any wrong I may have done Sir Jocelyn I am heartily sorry," said Buckingham, frankly.

"And he may rely on my present oiler of friendship." "And on mine, too," subjoined De Gondomar.

"The services I have rendered him must be set against any mischief I have subsequently done." "You make me more than amends," said Sir Jocelyn, bowing to them, "and I at once accept your proffered friendship." "You are in the midst of friends and foes, Sir Jocelyn," said Prince Charles, "and have before you a new-found relative; and not far distant from you one, whom--unless I am greatly mistaken--has the strongest hold upon your affections; but before you turn to her, or to any one, listen to the sentence, which in the King's name I shall pronounce upon those two offenders--a sentence which most assuredly will be ratified by his Majesty in person, and by the Lords of the Council of the Star-Chamber, before whom they will be brought.

Hear me, then, ye wrong-doers.

Ye shall be despoiled of your unjustly-acquired possessions, which will be escheated to the Crown.