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HISTORY Of MALTA.

self to be,” said a knight named Noguez, of the language of Castille,who at the same time, turning towards the grand-master, thus con-tinued : “ Never will I suffer the sentence to be executed on themarshal, unless the accused knights are equally punished, and atthe same moment.”

The whole assembly joined in this opinion, in which thegrand-master feigned to coincide, and the affair was put off tillanother time. Notwithstanding all his endeavours, the grand-mastercould not succeed in having the same judge appointed again ; who,finding himself loaded with reproaches, gave up the office; pre-tending, that, having already pronounced one sentence, it was im-possible for him to give another in the same cause.

Henry II. being informed of the reports spread against theconduct of his ambassador, dispatched a gentleman of his house-hold with a letter for the grand-master, which he received at themoment the first sentence w'as passed upon the marshal.

The king of France complained in the strongest manner ofthe infamous accusations brought fonvard against his ambassador ;and desired to be explicitly informed, whether or not D’Aram on twas guilty of the crimes laid to his charge.

Omedes, fearful of exposing himself, and wishing to get rid ofso perplexing an affair, carried the letter of the king to the council,and, having read it, asked advice of the members how r he ought toact upon the occasion. The whole assembly were unanimously ofopinion that an answer should be sent to Henry, assuring him thatthe order, so far from having cause of complaint against this