date. I will strip me here as naked as when first I had the mischance
to stray into this world, and you shall satisfy yourselves of that.
Thereafter I shall beg you, Master Baine, to indite the document I have
mentioned." And he removed his doublet as he spoke. "But since I will
not give these louts who accuse me so much satisfaction, lest I seem
to go in fear of them, I must beg, sirs, that you will keep this matter
entirely private until such time as its publication may be rendered
necessary by events."

They saw the reasonableness of his proposal, and they consented, still
entirely sceptical. But when they had made their examination they were
utterly dumbfounded to find all their notions entirely overset. Master
Baine, of course, drew up the required document, and signed and sealed
it, whilst Sir Andrew added his own signature and seal as witness
thereunto.

With this parchment that should be his buckler against any future need,
Sir Oliver rode home, uplifted. For once it were safe to do so, that
parchment should be spread before the eyes of Sir John Killigrew and
Rosamund, and all might yet be well.




CHAPTER VI

JASPER LEIGH


If that Christmas was one of sorrow at Godolphin Court, it was nothing