here is no jest. I don't know why I laughed,
and I pray your pardon humbly."

"Yet there was something in your mind," the King insisted.

"Then, Sir, if I must say it, it was no more than this; if I would not
be married in Calais, neither will I be married in Whitehall."

There was a moment's silence. It was broken by Rochester.

"I am dull," said he. "I don't understand that observation of Mr
Dale's."

"That may well be, my lord," said Charles, and he turned to Monmouth,
smiling maliciously as he asked, "Are you as dull as my lord here,
James, or do you understand what Mr Dale would say?"

Monmouth's mood hung in the balance between anger and amusement. I had
crossed and thwarted his fancy, but it was no more than a fancy. And I
had crossed and thwarted M. de Perrencourt's also; that was balm to his
wounds. I do not know that he could have done me harm, and it was as
much from a pure liking for him as from any fear of his disfavour that I
rejoiced when I saw his kindly thoughts triumph and a smile come on his
lips.

"Plague take the fellow," said he, "I understand him. On my life he's
wise!"

I bowed low to him, saying, "I thank your Grace for your understanding."

Rochester sighed heavily.

"This is wearisome," said he. "Shall we walk?"

"You and James shall walk," said the King. "I have yet a word for Mr
Dale." As they went he turned to me and said, "But will you leave us? I
could find work for you here."

I did not know what to answer him. He saw my hesitation.

"The basket will not be emptied," said he in a low and cautious voice.
"It will be emptied neither for M. de Perrencourt nor for the King of
France. You look very hard at me, Mr Dale, but you needn't search my
face so closely. I will tell you what you desire to know. I have had my
price, but I do not empty my basket." Having said this, he sat leaning
his head on his hands with his eyes cast up at me from under his swarthy
bushy brows.

There was a long silence then between us. For myself I do not deny that
youthful ambition again cried to me to take his offer, while pride told
me that even at Whitehall I could guard my honour and all that was mine.
I could serve him; since he told me his secrets, he must and would serve
me. And he had in the end dealt fairly and kindly with me.

The King struck his right hand on the arm of his chair suddenly and
forcibly.

"I sit here," said he; "it is my work to sit here. My brother has a
conscience, ho