spicion of his
status occurred to him then, and directly after he was busily employed
doing the honours of his table, the good things spread thereon soon
having a mollifying influence upon his guest, whose autocratic ways
became less prominent under the influence of a most enjoyable meal.

Thoroughly softened then by his meal as far as temper was concerned, the
King now began to find out that he was exceedingly stiff, and questioned
Saint Simon a good deal about his sensations, to learn that he too was
in the same condition.

"Ah, well," he said, "riding will soon take that off. Here, let's go
and have a look at the horses."

Sir John accompanied his guest into the great stable-yard, followed by
Saint Simon and the two young esquires.

The chargers had been carefully tended by Sir John's men, who did not
fail to point out that they were not taking their corn happily; and it
was perfectly evident to everyone that their hard day's work, following
so closely upon much riding down to the port and the stormy crossing,
had made them in a very unsatisfactory condition.

"Humph!" grunted the King. "They don't look as I should like."

"Splendid beasts," said Sir John; "but they want eight and forty hours'
rest. You will not think of continuing your journey to-day?"

"Indeed but I shall," said the King,--"er--that is--how do you think
they look, Saint Simon?"

"Bough," said the young man laconically.

The King grunted and frowned.

"I fear you think that you will not be welcome, my lord," said Sir John,
"and I beg that you will dismiss all such thoughts. Make up your mind,
pray, to stay for the next eight and forty hours. I beg you will. Then
we shall see how the poor beasts are. Besides, we have to think of our
young friend."

The result was that the King consented to stop for the aforesaid
forty-eight hours, at the end of which time, feeling himself very
comfortable and enjoying his host's company, he needed very little
pressure to prolong his stay, especially as Leoni announced that, though
Denis was mending fast, riding might have a bad effect and delay his
recovery.

The King's Esquires--by George Manville Fenn

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE DOCTOR IS BUSY.

But the King could not conceal his anxiety to be once more in the saddle
_en route_ for Windsor; and although Sir John Carrbroke urged him to
remain so far as the dictates of hospitality required, yet he forbore
when he saw the impatience of his g