ngrily; "but just recollect that you have
no king now, and let's have no reverence, for if you get me regularly
into trouble over this, good a servant as you have been to me, your
friends will have to prepare your tomb, a short one too, for you will
lose your head."

"In the service of my country and my lord, sir," said Leoni calmly. "I
shall have done my duty. But we shall not fail."

CHAPTER TWENTY.

THE KING'S BULLIES.

It was towards evening that the little cavalcade came within sight of
the town where was situated the famous castle which was so much to the
liking of Henry; and at this point there was a separation, for young
Carrbroke took leave.

"We shall soon meet again," he said to Denis, as the two lads bade each
other farewell. "When does your master go to the Court?"

Denis shook his head.

"I do not know. Ask him."

"I dare not."

"It will be soon," exclaimed Denis, "for I believe that my lord will not
remain in England long."

The King took dinner that night at the hostelry by the side of the ferry
and ford they had crossed that day, having previously despatched Denis
with the letter which was to bring him face to face with the King of
England, the lad shortly returning, having intrusted the missive to a
captain of the Royal Guards, by whom it was to be handed to the
chamberlain on duty.

But the meal was not concluded when Francis was asked to receive a
messenger from the castle.

"Bid him enter," said the King, and he rose and stood by the wide
hearth, as the emissary of the English King entered and bowed low.

"His Majesty," he said, "wishes to welcome the noble Count de la Seine,
and tells me to assure you, sir, that had he known of your coming he
would gladly have provided an escort from the coast. He begs that you
will honour him this evening with your presence at his Court."

"Tell his Majesty," said Francis gravely, "that I am very sensible of
his kindness, and that it is my most urgent wish to wait upon him."

The royal messenger was bowed out, and Francis turned sharply to Leoni.

"Well, Leoni, we are outside the lion's den at present. Are we to go
in?--Don't!" cried the King angrily.

"My lord!"

"Don't stare at me like that. I know what you are thinking--that I am
afraid."

"Heaven forbid that I should think such a thing of--"

The King made a gesture, and in a hoarse whisper:

"You were going to say `King.' One might think from your visage that in
walkin