hrough his letter, which communicated to Laura a fear lest her
father's hopes of escape should be frustrated.
By eleven o'clock Wilton was at the door of the small inn named for
the meeting; and two handsome horses which were standing there, held
by a servant, announced that Green had arrived before him. On going
in, he found his strange friend far more splendidly dressed than he
had ever seen him, apparently waiting for his coming. His fine person
told to much advantage, his upright carriage and somewhat proud and
stern demeanour, the grave and thoughtful look of his eye, all gave
him the appearance of one of high mind and high station, accustomed
to action and command. A certain sort of gay and dissipated look,
which he had previously borne, was altogether gone: within the last
few months he had become paler and thinner, and his countenance had
assumed an air of gloom which did not even leave it when he laughed.
As Wilton now advanced towards him, he could not but feel that there
was something dignified and imposing in his aspect; and yet it caused
him a strange sensation, to think that he was going into the King's
presence in company with a man whom he had actually first met upon
the King's Highway.
"I am glad you have come early, Wilton," said Green. "The King
returns from the chapel at a quarter past twelve, and expects us to
be in waiting at that hour, when he will see us. This is no slight
favour, I find, Wilton," he added, "for the palace is full of
courtiers, all eager and pressing for royal attention. Let us go
immediately, then, and ride slowly up to the palace."
They mounted their horses accordingly, and rode on, speaking a few
words from time to time, but not, indeed, absolutely conversing, for
both were far too thoughtful, and too much impressed with the
importance of the act they were about to perform, to leave the tongue
free and unfettered.
On their arrival at the palace, they found that the King had not yet
returned from the chapel; but on being asked whether they came by
appointment or not, and giving their names, they were admitted into a
waiting-room where two or three other people were already assembled.
The moments passed slowly, and it seemed as if the King would never
return.
At length, however, a distant flourish of drums and trumpets was
heard, together with the sounds of many people passing to and fro in
the courts and passages. Buzzing conversation, manifold footfalls,
gay laughter, announced that the morning service was