n his now quiet horse, gazing
open-mouthed and open-eyed, the King saw him, and the old twinkle, which
Featherstone knew, came into the dark eyes.

"Ha! I see an old friend yonder," said he comically. "I pray you,
fetch my fellow-servant up to speak with me."

Poor Featherstone was laid hold of, pulled off his horse, and pushed
forward close to that of the King.

"How do, Robin?" asked the merry monarch, who heartily enjoyed a little
affair of this sort. "Nay, look not so scared, man--I am not about to
cut off thine head."

Featherstone contrived to mumble out something in which "forgive" was
the only word audible.

"Forgive thee! what for?" said King Charles. "For that thou knewest me
not, and tookest me for a Roundhead? Why, man, it was just then the
finest service thou couldst have done me. I have nought to forgive thee
for save a glass of the best ale ever I drank, that thou drewest for me
at breakfast on the morrow of my departing. Here, some of you"--His
Majesty plunged both hands in turn into his pockets, and, as usual,
found them empty. "What a plague is this money! Can none of you lend
me a few louis?"

The pockets of the suite proved to be almost as bare as those of the
King. The Duke of Hamilton managed to find a half-louis (which he well
knew he should never see again); Queen Henrietta was applied to in her
coach, but in vain, as she either had no money, or did not choose to
produce it, well knowing her son's extravagance and thoughtlessness.
Colonel Lane had a sovereign, which he furnished. The King held them
out to Featherstone.

"There!" he said, "keep somewhat for thyself, and give somewhat to the
little dairy-maid that took my part, and would have had me knock thee
down. Tell her she'll make a brave soldier for my Guards, when all the
men are killed. Divide it as thou wilt. Nay, but I must have a token
for pretty Mrs Jenny." His Majesty cast his eyes about, and they fell
on his plumed hat. Without a minute's consideration he loosened the
diamond buckle. "Give her that," said he, "and tell her the King
heartily agrees with her that Will Jackson's an ill-looking fellow."

It was just like King Charles to give away a diamond buckle, when
neither he nor his suite had money to pay for necessaries. Robin
Featherstone stepped back into the crowd, where he was pretty well
hustled and pushed about before he regained his horse; but he managed to
keep fast hold of the money and the diam