not
half quick enough for Nell, who forthwith forced her companion into the
house, and closed the door sharply behind her, much to the delight of
the humour-loving King.

Nell then turned to the balustrade and, somewhat confused, looked down
at his Majesty, who now stood below, calmly gazing up at her, an amused
expression on his face.

"Pardon, your Majesty," she explained, falteringly, "I did not see you."

"You overlooked me merely," slyly suggested Charles, swinging his stick
in the direction of the departed hunters.

"I'faith, I thought it was you waved answer, Sire," quickly replied
Nell, whose confusion was gone and who was now mistress of the situation
and of herself.

"No, Nell; I hunt alone for my hart."

"You hunt the right park, Sire."

"Yea, a good preserve, truly," observed the King. "I find my game, as I
expected, flirting, waving kerchiefs, making eyes and throwing kisses to
the latest passer-by."

"I was encouraging the soldiers, my liege. That is every woman's duty to
her country."

"And her country_men_," said he, smiling. "You are very loyal,
Nell. Come down!" It was irritating, indeed, to be kept so at arm's
length.

She gazed down at him with impish sweetness--down at the King of
England!

"Come up!" she said, leaning over the balustrade.

"Nay; come down if you love me," pleaded the King.

"Nay; come up if you love me," said Nell, enticingly.

"Egad! I am too old to climb," exclaimed the Merry Monarch.

"Egad! I am too young yet for the downward path, your Majesty," retorted
Nell.

The King shrugged his shoulders indifferently.

"You will fall if we give you time," he said.

"To the King's level?" she asked, slyly, then answered herself:
"Mayhap."

Thus they stood like knights after the first tilt. Charles looked up at
Nell, and Nell looked down at Charles. There was a moment's silence.
Nell broke it.

"I am surprised you happen this way, Sire."

"With such eyes to lure me?" asked the King, and he asked earnestly too.

"Tush," answered Nell, coyly, "your tongue will lead you to perdition,
Sire."

"No fear!" replied he, dryly. "I knelt in church with brother James but
yesterday."

"In sooth, quite true!" said Nell, approvingly, as she leaned back
against the door and raised her eyes innocently toward the moon. "I sat
in the next pew, Sire, afraid to move for fear I might awake your
Majesty."

The King chuckled softly to himself. Nell picked one of the flowers th