to our
admiration--

Non civium ardor prava jubentium
Non vultus instantis tyranni
Mente quatit solida.

Here was the 'vultus instantis tyranni,' in this stout, be-wigged,
lace-covered, yellow-faced man in front of me. I had obeyed the poet in
so far that my courage had not been shaken. I confess that this spinning
dust-heap of a world has never had such attractions for me that it would
be a pang to leave it. Never, at least, until my marriage--and that, you
will find, alters your thoughts about the value of your life, and many
other of your thoughts as well. This being so, I stood erect, with my
eyes fixed upon the angry nobleman, while his soldiers were putting the
gyves about my wrists.

Chapter XXV. Of Strange Doings in the Boteler Dungeon

'Take down this fellow's statement,' said the Duke to his scrivener.
'Now, sirrah, it may not be known to you that his gracious Majesty the
King hath conferred plenary powers upon me during these troubled times,
and that I have his warrant to deal with all traitors without either
jury or judge. You do bear a commission, I understand, in the rebellious
body which is here described as Saxon's regiment of Wiltshire Foot?
Speak the truth for your neck's sake.'

'I will speak the truth for the sake of something higher than that, your
Grace,' I answered. 'I command a company in that regiment.'

'And who is this Saxon?'

'I will answer all that I may concerning myself,' said I, 'but not a
word which may reflect upon others.'

'Ha!' he roared, hot with anger. 'Our pretty gentleman must needs stand
upon the niceties of honour after taking up arms against his King. I
tell you, sir, that your honour is in such a parlous state already that
you may well throw it over and look to your safety. The sun is sinking
in the west. Ere it set your life, too, may have set for ever.'

'I am the keeper of my own honour, your Grace,' I answered. 'As to my
life, I should not be standing here this moment if I had any great dread
of losing it. It is right that I should tell you that my Colonel hath
sworn to exact a return for any evil that may befall me, on you or any
of your household who may come into his power. This I say, not as a
threat, but as a warning, for I know him to be a man who is like to be
as good as his word.'

'Your Colonel, as you call him, may find it hard enough to save himself
soon,' the Duke answered with a sneer. 'How many men hath Monmout