I have made some few circumstances concerning you that had just come to my ears known to his Majesty; and as he does not choose to have spies about his person, he has released you from all further attendance upon him." "In a word, he has forbidden your attendance again at the palace," added Buckingham, who had paused likewise, with an insulting laugh.
"I must to the King, your Grace," cried Sir Jocelyn to the Lord Chamberlain.

"I will explain the falsehood of this charge to his Majesty, and show him who is the spy and traitor he has to fear." "You cannot pass, Sir Jocelyn," said the Duke of Lennox, placing himself in his way, while two halberdiers advanced to bar his passage with their partizans.

"I say not a word as to the cause of your disgrace; but I may tell you, that his Majesty is greatly offended with you, and that it would be highly imprudent to approach him in his present frame of mind, even were it permitted you to do so--which it is not.

As I have said, you are deprived of your office, and enjoined to absent yourself from the palace, till it shall be his Majesty's pleasure to recall you." "And that is not likely to be soon the case--eh, Count ?" observed Buckingham, with a laugh.
"Not very likely indeed, Marquis," said the ambassador.

"I much regret that I have been the means of introducing so unworthy a person to his Majesty; but I have made all the amends in my power." "Must I tamely endure all these insults and calumnies, your Grace ?" cried Sir Jocelyn furiously.
"If you will be guided by me, you will retire," rejoined the Duke of Lennox; "or the provocation you will receive may induce you to do some desperate act which may render your position worse, and put your restoration to the King's favour entirely out of the question." While Sir Jocelyn was debating whether he should comply with the Duke's advice, the door of the presence-chamber was thrown open; and James, coming forth from it, marched slowly along the corridor.
Our young knight now fondly hoped that the King might deign to look upon him, and so enable him to plead his cause; and perhaps the Lord Chamberlain himself entertained similar expectations, for he did not insist upon Sir Jocelyn's withdrawal, but allowed him to remain within the corridor, though he was kept aloof by the halberdiers.