"I care not what befals me," shouted Mounchensey. "You shall not injure a hair of his Excellency's head while I stand by." And as he spoke he warded off several blows aimed at the ambassador. "I am with you, Sir Jocelyn," said Clement Lanyere, clearing a space around them with his long rapier, but avoiding, so far as possible, doing injury to the 'prentices. At this critical juncture, and when it seemed likely that, owing to his chivalrous interference, Sir Jocelyn would share the ambassador's fate, he being fairly resolved, as he showed, to defend him with his life, a cry was raised that a body of the royal guards were approaching; and as the trampling of horse, accompanied by the clatter of swords, left no doubt of the fact, and as, moreover, the bold 'prentices felt no disposition to encounter regular soldiery, they instantly abandoned their prey and took to their beels, the chief part of them leaping the hedge which then grew along the north side of Holborn, and scouring off through the fields in every direction. Some half dozen were made prisoners by the guard; and amongst these, we regret to state, was the leader of the riotous assembly, Dick Taverner. "Thou art likely to make acquaintance with the pillory and the cart's tail, if not with the hangman, friend," said the soldier who secured him, with a laugh. "So I begin to fear," replied Dick. "Alack! and well-a-day! what will become of Gillian!" "An that be thy mistress's name, friend, you should have thought of her before you engaged in this disturbance. You are likely now to part company with her for ever." While Dick lamented the predicament in which he had placed himself, the Conde de Gondomar, freed from all apprehension, turned towards his deliverer, and proffering him his hand, said--"You have nobly revenged yourself, Sir Jocelyn. I trust we may be friends once more. I will make you ample reparation for the wrong I have done you." But the young knight, folding his arms upon his breast, sternly replied--"When reparation is made, Count, I may accept your hand, but not till then." "At least enter my house," urged the ambassador, "where you will be protected from arrest." "Do not hesitate, Sir Jocelyn," subjoined Lanyere. "You are in great peril." But the young knight haughtily refused. "I will not owe an asylum to you, Count," he said, "till my name be cleared from reproach." And, with a proud salutation, he departed. The Spanish ambassador shrugged his shoulders, and looked after him with mingled admiration and contempt. He then turned to the promoter, and said, "Come in with me, Lanyere. I have somewhat to say to you." "I must pray your Excellency to excuse me just now," replied the other. "I have business on hand." And bowing with nearly as much haughtiness as Sir Jocelyn, he followed in the course taken by the young knight. CHAPTER XX. A Place of Refuge.