For an hour before the sitting of the Court an unwonted excitement pervaded2 its precincts—for the news of the tragic3 events of the preceding day had gone abroad till London was ringing with it.
The warders within the building were doubled in number, and a strong party of halberdiers kept order in the purlieus of Westminster.
The reason of this display of force was soon manifested.
From the Temple and from Gray's Inn the young law students had assembled in great strength, and with them were the 'prentices from the City, brandishing4 their clubs and evidently eager for a fray5.
Among the young "limbs of the law" the twin brothers were well known, and their recent exploit on the Thames had raised their popularity to a burning heat, while the 'prentices found sufficient justification6 for their presence in the fact that Sir John Jefferay was the Member of Parliament for the City, and his cause was theirs also.
As the Pursuivant and his men made their way towards the Chamber, protected by a strong body of armed men, curses loud and deep were hurled7 at them from a thousand throats.
A sudden change to cheering and hurrahing8 took place as the multitude recognized the Treasurer9 of Gray's Inn and the Master of the Rolls, who were passing through the streets in company.
London had seldom been so agitated—nor was the excitement lessened10 when the halberdiers were strengthened by some troops of the Household Guards from Whitehall. Inside the Chambers11 many of the notabilities of the Court had gathered together, and when the judges entered it, it was noted12 that nearly the whole of its august body of members was present.
By the side of Cardinal13 Pole sat the Bishop14 of London, Edmund Bonner, a Prelate whose attendance at this Court was a rare event.
But behind them sat a figure upon whom all eyes were fixed—it was King Philip.
He was dressed in a suit of black velvet15 without ornament16 of any kind, yet its dark hue17 was somewhat relieved by the spotless whiteness of the Valenciennes lace which bedecked his neck and wrists.
He was of moderate stature18 and very spare in body. His long oval face was somewhat colourless, he wore a beard and moustache of a sandy colour. His large piercing eyes were of a sombre blue, the mouth large, with heavy hanging lip and protruding19 lower jaw20. His demeanour was still and silent, tinged21 with a Castilian haughtiness22. Philip was thirty years of age at this period, but men would have given him credit for a longer record; perhaps the cares of his world-wide sovereignty had made him prematurely23 old.
Few mortals loved Philip; yet one fond heart had given itself to him unreservedly, for Mary loved her husband with a devotion as deep as it was unrequited.
The opening of the Court had not yet been formally declared, and a murmur24 of subdued25 voices in eager consultation26 filled the air.
Men noted that the King was conversing27 with the dignified28 ecclesiastics29 in front of him.
Presently a silver trumpet30 sounded, and the Lord High Chancellor31 took his seat as President of the Court. A dead silence ensued, and the Clerk thereupon pronounced the Court open.
All eyes turned to the dock as the prisoner was seen to be entering it, bowing low to the Court as he did so.
His friends had mustered32 strongly in the Chamber, and an unrestrainable murmur of sympathy arose from them as they marked the deathly pallor of his youthful countenance33, his wounded arm (still supported in a sling) and a great scar of a recent wound on his handsome face.
The case was duly "called on," and the charge of riot and assault was made against the prisoner.
Ralph would have pleaded "Guilty" forthwith, but Sir John had addressed himself to this matter at his interview with Ralph at the Fleet prison on the preceding evening, and upon his advice the prisoner pleaded "Not Guilty!"
Thereupon the Pursuivant took his place in the witness-box and proceeded to set forth34, with great detail, the well-known tale of the assault in Chiddingly woods. He now swore that the prisoner in the dock, Ralph Jefferay, was his assailant, and this was duly corroborated35 by his witnesses.
At this point Cardinal Pole addressed the President—
"Yesterday, my Lord President, Mr. Pursuivant swore, with equal assurance, as to the identity of Mr. William Jefferay with his assailant. We know now that he was mistaken,—may he not err36 in the present case?"
The Pursuivant rose again hastily and, bowing to the President, said—
"May I answer His Eminence37 the Cardinal, my Lord?"
The Earl of Arundel bowed assent38, and the Pursuivant proceeded to explain his first error.
"Yesterday, my lords, I was not aware of the extraordinary likeness39 which exists between the twin brothers Mr. William and Mr. Ralph Jefferay, a likeness so wonderful that no man may tell them apart but by some sign or symbol. One of my witnesses, who is a Lewes man and knows the Jefferays well by sight, informed me of this fact when the verdict of acquittal was given in this Court yesterday. The sign of distinction between the brothers is a very simple one—Mr. William always wears a grey cap and Mr. Ralph a blue one. Now on the occasion of the assault I solemnly swore that my assailant, Ralph Jefferay, the prisoner, wore a grey cap, whether by design or accident I cannot say, hence the mistake of identity."
The Pursuivant sat down with a malignant40 gleam of satisfaction in his fierce black eyes.
There was silence in the Court and the judges consulted with each other; presently the Chancellor spoke41.
"The Court would fain see these wonderful brothers side by side," he said. "Is Mr. William Jefferay here?"
The Clerk of the Court beckoned42 to Sir John Jefferay, who stood near to him, and, after a brief conversation, said—
"Mr. William Jefferay is now at Gray's Inn, but he can be brought hither in a short time, my lord."
"Let him be sent for," replied the Chancellor.
During the interval43 in the proceedings44 men talked freely in low voices; it was marked that an air of gloom and despondency sat upon the faces of the friends of the Jefferays.
Suddenly there was a rustling45 movement in the gangway of the Court, and a dead silence ensued as William Jefferay was perceived in the hands of the officers of the Court, who were leading him towards the dock.
"Place them side by side," commanded the Chancellor.
William entered the dock and stood beside his brother. The brothers looked into each other's face with a quiet air, in which sadness and love bore equal part; they clasped hands and so faced the Court.
Even in that august presence a murmur of admiration46 and sympathy, closely mingled47, ran through the assembly.
There was no further need of words or explanation, it was evident to all why the first trial had miscarried, how the Pursuivant had made his great mistake.
"It is enough, let Mr. William Jefferay step down," said the President.
Yes, it was enough, there remained now but the dread48 sentence to be pronounced.
The judges briefly49 consulted; then the Chancellor arose and, amid an ominous50 silence, said—
"The Court finds the prisoner guilty, and its sentence is that the prisoner pay a fine of five thousand pounds, that he stand in pillory51 at Tyburn for one day, and that his ears be clipped by the common hangman, and that he remain in prison for three years—God save the Queen!"
Then occurred a startling interruption, the prisoner spoke.
"I am guilty of assault, my Lord," he cried, "but, before God and High Heaven, I am no conspirator52; I, also, cry God save the Queen!"
Then he sat down.
All was over, the dread sentence had been pronounced, and forthwith the warders proceeded to lead the prisoner from the dock.
The crowd departed, and in a few minutes the Star Chamber was untenanted save by a few warders.
The terrible news had spread abroad and seditious cries, mingled with oaths and execrations, rent the air.
The judges and King Philip had departed by private exits, but as the Pursuivant and his men reached the street a fierce contest between the military and the 'prentices arose.
Great stones hurtled through the air, and the clubs of the "City Boys" made fine play with the swords and rapiers of the halberdiers.
But the Household Guards, on their strong Flemish horses, swept all before them, and closing in a dense53 body around the Pursuivant, conveyed him to a place of safety.
As Sir John Jefferay and his nephew William were about to leave the Court, an usher54 brought him a note.
"From his Excellency the Spanish Ambassador," said the man.
Turning to the friends who accompanied him, Sir John said—
"Await me one moment, my friends."
Then he drew William with him into one of the waiting-rooms of the Court, and eagerly opened the note. It was brief.
"An hour hence I shall be with you at Gray's Inn, and the Cardinal will be with me. His Eminence wishes that no other person be present at our interview.—Renard."
"Oh, thank God, thank God!" cried Sir John, as he passed the letter to William.
It was light amid the darkness, and the Treasurers55 noble face lost its look of despair and flushed with joy and hope!
And well might it be so, for these two men, of all others in the realm of England, possessed56 influence with Mary and Philip of high and exalted57 nature.
"No word of this to our friends," whispered Sir John to his nephew, as they proceeded to rejoin them.
At this moment the roar from the street reached the little group, and they halted.
Instantly it flashed upon the Treasurer's mind that it might derange58 all their plans if he and William were to be acclaimed59 by a wild, disorderly mob.
"Adieu, my friends," he said to those who surrounded them, "it is necessary that we part here; William and I will return through the Abbey. We meet again to-night at Gray's Inn, to supper."
All saw the wisdom of this, and Sir Philip Broke, noting the flush of hope in Sir John's face, whispered to him—
"You have news—something to cheer our hearts?"
"To-night you shall know all, I trust, but now depart, I pray you!"
Then grasping his hand he shook it warmly.
"Farewell for the present, best and truest of friends," he said; then turning to William, "Follow me, nephew," he said.
All the cloisters60 of Westminster were known to Sir John, and soon, by many an ancient and devious61 way, the two were in the Abbey.
Ah, how its glorious quietude contrasted with the scene in the Star Chamber, with the tumult62 of the streets!
A strange peace took possession of Sir John's soul as he gazed into the semi-darkness of the Chapel63 of King Edward the Confessor, where, over the altar, gleamed a dull red light.
Sir John was no Romanist—nay, he was a somewhat ardent64 follower65 of Luther!
But it was no hour to think upon mysteries and niceties.
"Come with me, my dear nephew," he said.
And under his guidance William in a moment found himself kneeling by his uncle's side in front of the glorious altar of King Edward's Chapel. Long they knelt in fervent66 prayer, commending the condemned67 prisoner to the mercy of Almighty68 God, and beseeching69 His blessing70 on the steps they were taking on his behalf.
Then, comforted and refreshed, they rose and made their way towards Whitehall and Gray's Inn.
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1
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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hurrahing
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| v.好哇( hurrah的现在分词 ) | |
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treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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15
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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21
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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haughtiness
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| n.傲慢；傲气 | |
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prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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28
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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ecclesiastics
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| n.神职者，教会，牧师( ecclesiastic的名词复数 ) | |
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30
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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31
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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32
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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33
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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corroborated
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的过去式 ) | |
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err
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| vi.犯错误，出差错 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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40
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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41
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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42
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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44
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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45
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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46
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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47
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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48
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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49
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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50
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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51
pillory
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| n.嘲弄；v.使受公众嘲笑；将…示众 | |
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52
conspirator
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| n.阴谋者，谋叛者 | |
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53
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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54
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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55
treasurers
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| （团体等的）司库，财务主管( treasurer的名词复数 ) | |
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56
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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57
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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58
derange
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| v.使精神错乱 | |
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acclaimed
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| adj.受人欢迎的 | |
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cloisters
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| n.（学院、修道院、教堂等建筑的）走廊( cloister的名词复数 )；回廊；修道院的生活；隐居v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的第三人称单数 ) | |
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61
devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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62
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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63
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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64
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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65
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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66
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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67
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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68
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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69
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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70
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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