He jested apart with De Gondomar; and both he and the Spanish Ambassador appeared greatly amused by Gillian's embarrassment.

Behind him stood his servant Diego.
"You are handmaiden to the Countess of Exeter, I presume ?" demanded Lady Lake of the damsel.
"I am, my lady," she answered.
"The girl does not look as if the imputations cast upon her character can be true," observed Sir Thomas Lake.
As this was said, poor Gillian became suffused with blushes, and hung her head.
"Before I put any further questions to her," remarked Lady Lake, "I will ask Lord Roos if he still persists in affirming that it was this damsel who visited him last night ?" Dick Taverner looked as if his fate depended upon the response the young nobleman might make to the inquiry.
"I must decline to answer your ladyship's question," returned Lord Roos.
"Why cannot he speak out ?" muttered Dick.

"This uncertainty is worse than anything." "What says the damsel herself," observed Sir Thomas Lake.

"Does she admit the charge ?" "You cannot expect her to do that, Sir Thomas," interposed Lord Roos.
"I expect her to answer my question," rejoined the Secretary of State, sharply.

"Were you in Lord Roos's room last night ?" he added, to Gillian.
"Oh, dear! I am ready to faint," she exclaimed.