unslow Heath, all in Portsmouth's interest," he said. "Is this to be
my thanks?"

She approached him earnestly. "My lord must explain. I am stupid in
fitting English facts to English words."

"Have you forgotten Dover?" he asked, intensely, but subdued in voice,
"and my pledges sworn to?--the treaty at the Castle?--the Duchess of
Orleans?--the Grand Monarch?"

"Hush!" exclaimed Portsmouth, clutching his arm and looking cautiously
about.

"If my services to you there were known," he continued, excitedly, "and
to the great cause--the first step in making England pensioner of France
and Holland the vassal of Louis--my head would pay the penalty. Can you
not trust me still?"

"You are on strange ground to-night," suggested Portsmouth, tossing her
head impatiently to indicate the terrace, as she tried to fathom the
real man.

"I thought the King might pass this way, and came to see," hastily
explained his lordship, observing that she was reflecting upon the
incongruity of his friendship for her and of his visit to Madame Gwyn.

"And if he did?" she asked, dubiously, not seeing the connection.

"I have a plan to make his visits less frequent, Louise,--for your sweet
sake and mine."

The man was becoming master. He had pleased her, and she was beginning
to believe.

"Yes?" she said, in a way which might mean anything, but certainly that
she was listening, and intently listening too.

"You have servants you can trust?" he asked.

"I have," she replied as quickly; and she gloried in the thought that
some at least were as faithful as Louis's court afforded.

"They must watch Nell's terrace here, night and day," he almost
commanded in his eagerness, "who comes out, who goes in and the hour.
She may forget her royal lover; and--well--we shall have witnesses in
waiting. We owe this kindness--to his Majesty."

Portsmouth shrugged her shoulders impatiently. "_Mon Dieu!_" she
said. "My servants have watched, my lord, already. The despatches would
have been signed and Louis's army on the march against the Dutch but for
this vulgar player-girl, whom I have never seen. The King forgets all
else."

The beautiful Duchess was piqued, indeed, that the English King should
be so swayed. She felt that it was a personal disgrace--an insult to her
charms and to her culture. She felt that the court knew it and laughed,
and she feared that Louis soon would know. Nell Gwyn! How she hated
her--scarce less than she loved Louis and h