The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mistress Wilding, by Rafael Sabatini
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Title: Mistress Wilding
Author: Rafael Sabatini
Posting Date: September 17, 2008 [EBook #1457]
Release Date: September, 1998
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISTRESS WILDING ***
Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer
MISTRESS WILDING
By Rafael Sabatini
CONTENTS
I. POT-VALIANCE
II. SIR ROWLAND TO THE RESCUE
III. DIANA SCHEMES
IV. TERMS OF SURRENDER
V. THE ENCOUNTER
VI. THE CHAMPION
VII. THE NUPTIALS of RUTH WESTMACOTT
VIII. BRIDE AND GROOM
IX. MR. TRENCHARD'S COUNTERSTROKE
X. THEIR OWN PETARD
XI. THE MARPLOT
XII. AT THE FORD
XIII "PRO RELIGIONE ET LIBERTATE"
XIV. HIS GRACE IN COUNSEL
XV. LYME OF THE KING
XVI. PLOTS AND PLOTTERS
XVII. MR. WILDING'S RETURN
XVIII. BETRAYAL
XIX. THE BANQUET
XX. THE RECKONING
XXI. THE SENTENCE
XXII. THE EXECUTION
XXIII. MR. WILDING'S BOOTS
XXIV. JUSTICE
CHAPTER I. POT-VALIANCE
Then drink it thus, cried the rash young fool, and splashed the contents
of his cup full into the face of Mr. Wilding even as that gentleman, on
his feet, was proposing to drink to the eyes of the young fool's sister.
The moments that followed were full of interest. A stillness, a
brooding, expectant stillness, fell upon the company--and it numbered
a round dozen--about Lord Gervase's richly appointed board. In the soft
candlelight the oval table shone like a deep brown pool, in which were
reflected the gleaming silver and sparkling crystal that seemed to float
upon it.
Blake sucked in his nether-lip, his florid face a thought less florid
than its wont, his prominent blue eyes a thought more prominent. Under
its golden periwig old Nick Trenchard's wizened countenance was darkened
by a scowl, and his fingers, long, swarthy, and gnarled, drummed
fretfully upon the table. Portly Lord Gervase Scoresby--their host, a
benign and placid man of peace, detesting turbulence--turned crimson now
in wordless rage. The others gaped and stared--some at young Westmac
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