ace buried in her hands and her flying curls falling
over and hiding all.

"Adair's sides are aching," she chuckled, in apparent convulsions of
sorrow. "He's laughing through Nell's tears."

Meanwhile, Moll had been standing by the window; and, though she was
watching eagerly the exciting scene within the room, she could not fail
to note the sound of galloping horses and the rattling of a heavy coach
on the roadway without.

"A coach and six at break-neck speed," she cried, "have landed at the
door. A cavalier alights."

"Time some one arrived," thought Nell, as she glanced at herself in the
mirror, to see that Adair was well hidden, and to arrange her curls, to
bewitch the new arrivals, whosoever they might be.

As the cavalier dashed up the path, in the moonlight, Moll recognized
the Duke of Buckingham, and at once announced his name.

"Ods-pitikins!" exclaimed Charles, angrily. "No leisure for Buckingham
now. We have other business."

He had scarce spoken, however, when Buckingham, unceremoniously and
almost breathless, entered the room.

"How now?" cried the King, fiercely, as the Duke fell on his knee before
him; for his temper had been wrought to a high pitch.

"Pardon, your Majesty," besought his lordship, in nervous accents. "My
mission will excuse my haste and interruption. Your ear I crave one
moment. Sire, I am told Nell has to-night secreted in this house a
lover!"

"Another one!" whispered Nell to Moll.

"'Tis hearsay," cried the King, now at fever-heat, "the give-and-take of
gossips! I'll none of it."

"My witness, Sire!" answered Buckingham.

He turned toward the door; and there, to the astonishment of all, stood
the Duchess of Portsmouth, who had followed him from the coach, a lace
mantilla, caught up in her excitement, protecting her shapely shoulders
and head.

As the assembled courtiers looked upon the beautiful rivals, standing,
as they did, face to face before the King, and realized the situation,
their faces grew grave, indeed.

The suspense became intense.

"The day of reckoning's come," thought Nell, as she met with burning
glances the Duchess's eyes.

"Speak, your grace," exhorted Buckingham. "The King attends you."

"Nay, before all, my lord?" protested Portsmouth, with pretended
delicacy. "I could not do Madame Gwyn so much injustice."

"If your speech concerns me," observed Nell, mildly, "out with it
boldly. My friends will consider the source."

"Speak, and quickly