er, though I can't help laughing at him
sometimes when he speaks such bad French; but that doesn't matter. He
laughs at my bad English just the same, and it's all capital sport when
we are together, if I didn't feel so treacherous. There are times when
I should like to tell him all, and why we are here; but I can't, for
that would be behaving treacherously to my King."

The lad ended his musings rather gloomily, as he felt sure that before
long they would be found out and the daring business be all come to an
end.

Similar thoughts kept Leoni awake the greater part of each night in his
luxurious chamber, spoiling his rest, and making him attend his master
the next morning terribly troubled in mind, but only to brighten up on
finding how well in favour the Comte seemed with the King, who was
always seeking his visitor out for some new pursuit in courtly pleasure
or excursion.

But the cloud was gathering all the same, and the discovery very near at
hand.

One morning Lord Hurst was in attendance upon Henry, making his
customary daily reports and taking his orders for various preparations
to carry out something fresh in the way of entertainment, when the King
waved his hand impatiently.

"There, there," he cried, "no more of this!" Then, good-humouredly,
"Well, Hurst, what do you think of our ambassador?"

"Think of him, Sire?" replied the courtier.

"Yes, yes," cried the King testily. "Do I not speak plainly? Why do
you look at me like that? Do you not think he is a most worthy
representative of his master?"

"Undoubtedly, Sire, but--"

"Hurst," cried the King furiously, "have I not made you my trusted
adviser?"

"Yes, Sire, and I am your faithful servant, always ready to advise."

"Then why do you not speak out? I know you of old. You are keeping
something back. What does this mean? Have you some suspicion about
this man? Hah! I have it! You believe him to be a spy sent by Francis
to learn all he can about my Court--about my realm! Man, man, you do
not believe that this French King is plotting something to rob me
farther of the possessions gained by my ancestors in the past?"

"No, Sire, no; but I am troubled in my mind," said Hurst, speaking in a
low anxious tone.

"Out with it, then! What is your suspicion? What is it you know?"

"I know nothing, Sire," replied Hurst; "but I am troubled, in my grave
anxiety for my master's weal, as to the real motives of this Comte's
visit."

"Hah!