were after her and about her in an instant. There were
cries of "A kiss!" "A kiss!" "This way!" "Make a circle or she'll escape
us!"

A dozen kisses so were stolen by the eager gallants before my lady broke
away, stamping her foot in indignation, as she exclaimed:

"Nay, I am very angry, very--"

"That there were no more, wench!" laughed Buckingham. "Marry, 'tis a
merry night when Portsmouth reigns. Long live the Duchess in the King's
heart!"

"So you may capture its fairer favourite, friend Buckingham?" suggested
the King, softly; and there was no hidden meaning in his speech, for the
King suspected that Buckingham's heart as well was not at Portsmouth's
and Buckingham knew that the King suspected it.

Buckingham was the prince of courtiers; he bowed low and, saying much
without saying anything, replied respectfully:

"So I may console her, Sire, that she is out-beautied by France
to-night."

"Out-beautied! Not bidden, thou mean'st," exclaimed the King, his
thoughts roving toward Nelly's terrace. Ah, how he longed to be there!
"The room is close," he fretted. "Come, gallants, to the promenade!"

He was dressed in white and gold; and a princely prince he looked,
indeed, as the courtiers separated for him to pass out between them.

All followed save Buckingham, whom Portsmouth's eye detained.

She broke into a joyous laugh as she turned from the tapestry-curtains,
through which she could see his Majesty--the centre of a mirthful scene
without.

"What say you now, my lord?" she asked, triumphantly, of Buckingham. "I
am half avenged already, and the articles half signed. The King is here
despite his Madame Gwyn, and in a playful mood that may be tuned to
love."

Buckingham's ardour did not kindle as she hoped.

"Merriment is oft but Sadness's mask, Louise," he replied, thoughtfully.

"What meanest thou?" she asked, in her nervous, Gallic way, and as
quickly, her mind anticipating, answered: "This trifle of the gossips
that Charles advances the player's whim to found a hospital at Chelsea,
for broken-down old soldiers? _Ce n'est rien!"_

She broke into a mocking laugh.

"Aye!" replied Buckingham, quietly but significantly. "The orders are
issued for its building and the people are cheering Nell throughout the
realm."

"_Ma foi!_" came from the Duchess's contemptuous lips. "And what
say the rabble of Portsmouth?"

"That she is Louis's pensioner sent here from France--a spy!" he
answered, quickly and f