THE EXETER LINE 129
sitting in the window of the great chamber, written and signed the confession. This being denied, the King asked for further evidence, whereupon they stated that one Sarah Swarton, their maid, had stood behind the hangings at the far end of the room and had heard the Countess read over what she had written. To this Sarah swore before the King, who, however, was still unsatisfied, and took an opportunity of visiting Wimbledon Hall and inspecting the room. He then discovered, first, that the room was so large that anyone speaking in the window could not be heard at the far end, and secondly, that the hangings were two feet short of the ground, so that no one could hide behind them. " Oaths cannot confound my sight," said James.
Lord Roos had already written to the King, denying the charges, and hoping that his Majesty " will not allow Lady Roos's title to save her from any severity, she being a base creature, a dishonour to his grandfather's house, and not worthy to wipe the shoes of the Countess of Exeter, whom she has wronged." l Anxious to have Roos's own testimony, however, the King sent for him by an express messenger, who also brought him a formal pardon for having left the kingdom without a licence. But before the messenger arrived news was received by Lord Burghley of his son's death at Naples. 2 " Rumour
1 Cal. S. P. Dom., June ist, 1618.
2 Lorkin to Puckering, July i4th and July 28th, 1618 (Court and Times of James I., II. So, 83).
C. K
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