Have you ever thought about what fiction is? Probably, such a question may seem surprising: and so everything is clear. Every person throughout his life has to repeatedly create the works he needs for specific purposes - statements, autobiographies, dictations - using not gypsum or clay, not musical notes, not paints, but just a word. At the same time, almost every person will be very surprised if he is told that he thereby created a work of fiction, which is very different from visual art, music and sculpture making. However, everyone understands that a student's essay or dictation is fundamentally different from novels, short stories, news that are created by professional writers. In the works of professionals there is the most important difference - excogitation. But, oddly enough, in a school literature course, you don’t realize the full power of fiction. So using our website in your free time discover fiction for yourself. The Star-Chamber: An Historical Romance, Volume 2 by William Harrison Ainsworth (elon musk reading list TXT) 📖
- Author: William Harrison Ainsworth
Book online «The Star-Chamber: An Historical Romance, Volume 2 by William Harrison Ainsworth (elon musk reading list TXT) 📖». Author William Harrison Ainsworth
CHAPTER I. Poison.
CHAPTER II. Counter-Poison.
CHAPTER III. Showing that "our pleasant vices are made the whips to scourge us."
CHAPTER IV. How the forged Confession was produced.
CHAPTER V. A visit to Sir Giles Mompesson's habitation near the fleet.
CHAPTER VI. Of the Wager between the Conde de Gondomar and the Marquis of
CHAPTER VII. A Cloud in the Horizon.
CHAPTER VIII. Whitehall.
CHAPTER IX. Prince Charles.
CHAPTER X. The old Palace-Yard of Westminster.
CHAPTER XI. The Tilt-Yard.
CHAPTER XII. The Tilting Match.
CHAPTER XIII. The Felon Knight.
CHAPTER XIV. The private Cabinet of Sir Giles Mompesson.
CHAPTER XV. Clement Lanyere's Story.
CHAPTER XVI. Sir Jocelyn's rupture with de Gondomar.
CHAPTER XVII. Disgrace.
CHAPTER XVIII. How Sir Jocelyn's cause was espoused by the 'prentices.
CHAPTER XIX. A Noble Revenge.
CHAPTER XX. A Place of Refuge.
CHAPTER XXI. The Arrest.
CHAPTER XXII. The Old Fleet Prison.
CHAPTER XXIII. How Sir Jocelyn was brought to the Fleet.
CHAPTER XXIV. The Abduction.
CHAPTER XXV. The "Stone Coffin."
CHAPTER XXVI. A Secret Friend.
CHAPTER XXVII. Showing how judgment was given by King James in the Star-Chamber, in the
CHAPTER XXVIII. The two warrants.
CHAPTER XXIX. The Silver Coffer.
CHAPTER XXX. How the Marriage was interrupted.
CHAPTER XXXI. Accusations.
CHAPTER XXXII. Judgment.
CONCLUDING CHAPTER.
CHAPTER I. Poison.
The execution of Lady Lake's criminal and vindictive project would not have been long deferred, after the defeat she had sustained from Lord Roos, but for her husband's determined opposition. This may appear surprising in a man so completely under his wife's governance as was Sir Thomas; but the more he reflected upon the possible consequences of the scheme, the more averse to it he became; and finding all arguments unavailing to dissuade his lady from her purpose, he at last summoned up resolution enough positively to interdict it.
But the project was only deferred, and not abandoned. The forged confession was kept in readiness by Lady Lake for production on the first favourable opportunity.
Not less disinclined to the measure than her father was Lady Roos, though the contrary had been represented to Sir Thomas by his lady; but accustomed to yield blind obedience to her mother's wishes, she had been easily worked upon to acquiesce in the scheme, especially as the fabricated confession did not appear to hurt her husband, for whom (though she did not dare to exhibit it) she maintained a deep and unchanging affection. So utterly heart-broken was she by the prolonged and painful struggle she had undergone, that she was now almost indifferent to its issue.
For some time her health had given way under the severe shocks she had endured; but all at once more dangerous symptoms began to manifest themselves, and she became so greatly indisposed that she could not leave her room. Extremely distressing in its effects, the attack resembled fever. Inextinguishable thirst tormented her; burning pains; throbbing in the temples; and violent fluttering of the heart. No alleviation of her sufferings could be obtained from the remedies administered by Luke Hatton, who was in constant attendance upon her; nor will this be wondered at, since we are in the secret of his dark doings. On the contrary, the fever increased in intensity; and at the end of four days of unremitting agony,—witnessed with cynical indifference by the causer of the mischief,—it was evident that her case was desperate.
From the first Lady Lake had been greatly alarmed, for with all her faults she was an affectionate mother, though she had a strange way of showing her affection; and she was unremitting in her attentions to the sufferer, scarcely ever quitting her bedside. After a few days, however, thus spent in nursing her daughter, she herself succumbed to a like malady. The same devouring internal fire scorched her up, and raged within her veins; the same unappeasable thirst tormented her; and unable longer to fulfil her task, she confided it to Sarah Swarton, and withdrew to another chamber, communicating by a side door, masked by drapery, with that of Lady Roos.
Devoted to her mistress, Sarah Swarton would have sacrificed her life to restore her to health; and she cared not though the fever might be infectious. The gentleness and resignation of the ill-fated lady, which failed to move Luke Hatton, melted her to tears; and it was with infinite grief that she saw her, day by day, sinking slowly but surely into the grave. To Lady Roos, the presence of Sarah Swarton was an inexpressible comfort. The handmaiden was far superior to her station, with a pleasing countenance, and prepossessing
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