g. "We shall seek a
harmless substitute."

At this point in the conversation his Majesty looked toward me, whispered
a word to Frances, and they walked down the garden path to the fountain,
while I waited at Bowling Green for Frances's return. When she came back,
she told me in detail all that passed between her and the king.

After they had left me, the king began to talk, and Frances seldom
interrupted him save to draw him out, knowing that a talking man sooner
or later tells a great deal that he should have left unsaid. This is
especially true if a shrewd listener reads between his words.

"Nelly Gwynn tells me that you love George Hamilton," said the king, "and
in my eyes, that is his greatest crime."

Already his Majesty had told a great deal.

"I am surprised at Mistress Gwynn's imagination and her lack of
truthfulness," returned Frances. "I told her I hated him, and she herself
heard me deny that I knew him when he offered to speak to me two months
ago or more at the Old Swan. Mistress Gwynn kissed him. I refused to
recognize him. I should say that the evidences of affection were against
her rather than me."

"She says, also," continued the king, "that you believe Master Hamilton
killed Roger Wentworth; that you recognized him the night of the
tragedy."

"I said nothing of the sort," answered Frances, emphatically. "I saw but
one man's face distinctly. Here at court I have often seen the man who
killed Roger Wentworth, and I shall tell you his name if you insist. He
is near of kin to your Majesty."

The king knew that she meant his son Crofts, so he hastened away from the
subject.

"Yes, yes, I have suspected as much, but I beg you, Frances, to spare me
the pain of hearing the truth."

"Yes, the truth is a frightful thing," sighed Frances. "Why cannot the
world be made up of pleasing lies? But tell me, does your Majesty mean to
say that the wretch, Hamilton, seeks your life?"

She was seeking information.

"He does, he does," returned the king. "While he was sick at the Old
Swan, one standing outside his door heard him declare his intention to
kill the king. When I heard of the threat, I summoned his physician, one
Doctor Lilly, who, being questioned, admitted that while in a delirium
Hamilton had made threats against the king's life, but that he, Lilly,
had supposed the French king was meant. Lilly is a good faithful subject,
and I often use his astrological knowledge, which is really great, but i