for such things had
gone by, as both recognized with a sigh. Still there was brightness
in Cuthbert's eyes as he said:

"Mistress Kate will spend her Christmas at the Cross Way House, and
I trow that others of the Trevlyns will do the like. If thou wilt
be one of the party there upon that day, I doubt not that there
will be a welcome for thee; and perchance thou wilt find then that
thy nuptials need not be so long postponed. A golden key may be
found which will unlock many doors."

Culverhouse looked quickly and eagerly at his companion, but could
ask no more even had he wished, as they were at that moment joined
by two friends of his, young men about the Court, who at once began
to talk of the approaching opening of Parliament and the grand show
that would accompany the act.

The King's love for fine dress, fine pageants, and fine shows, of
which he was the sun and centre (in his own opinion at least), was
well known by this time. These young sprigs of the nobility amused
themselves by making game freely of his Majesty behind his back,
ridiculing his vanity, mimicking his ungainly action, especially
upon horseback (though he considered himself a most finished and
accomplished rider), and describing to Culverhouse the fine new
robes he had ordered for the occasion, and which were to surpass in
grandeur anything he had ever worn before.

"Folks talked of the vanity of our good Queen Bess, and called her
mighty extravagant; but beshrew me if she were half as vain or
extravagant as our noble King Jamie! It is a marvel he cannot see
how ten-fold uglier he makes his ugly person by trapping himself
out in all such frippery and gorgeous apparel."

So the young men chatted on in lightsome fashion, and Cuthbert, who
listened to every word, could not gather that the smallest
uneasiness had penetrated the minds of those who moved in these
high places. Culverhouse talked with equal gaiety and security.
Certainly he had no suspicion of coming ill. The mutterings of
discontent the seething of the troubled waters, the undefined
apprehensions of many of the classes of the people, were apparently
unknown and unheeded here. All was sunshine and brightness in the
region of palaces. But if these youths had entertained any secret
misgivings, they would have discussed them freely together.

Culverhouse kept Cuthbert to dinner, and he was kindly received by
the Earl's family. Lady Andover even remembered to ask after
Cherry, and won