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MIOOCOrf RESOLUTION TEST CHART 
 
 (ANSI and ISO TEST CHAR! No, 2| 
 
 ^ -APPLIED IM^GE In 
 
 ^^ 1653 East Main 5(reet 
 
 =^= RDchBaler, Ne* York U609 USA 
 
 '— — ("6) 482 - OMO - Phone 
 
 ^= (716) 3S8 - 5989 - Fo. 
 
--<. r 
 
 ' (*-■ 
 
 -^A-^ 
 
 V 
 
MISTRESS NELL 
 
MISTRESS NELL 
 
 A MERRY TALE OF 
 A MERRY TIME . 
 
 VTwixt Faa and J^ancy) 
 
 GEORGE C. HAZELTON, Jr. 
 
 AUTHOR OF THE PLAy 
 
 -LBrxoTPoOS ^ELLy STARVE" 
 
 TORONTO 
 THE COPP, CLARK COMPANY, 
 1901 
 
 LIMITED 
 
Hoi 
 
 Entered according to Act of the Parliftment of Canada, in the year ono 
 thousand nine hu.;dred and one, by Thk Corp, Clark Co., Limitbd, 
 Toronto, Ontario, in the Office of the Minister of Asrioulture. 
 
A WORD 
 
 TTisthevoguetodramatize successful novels 
 A The author of the present Nell G wyn story 
 has pursued the contrary course. His "merry " 
 
 playofthe same name was written and produced 
 before he undertook to compose this tale, sug- 
 gested by the same historic sources. 
 
 A word of tribute is gratefully given to the 
 comedienne. Miss Crosman, whose courage and 
 exquisite art introduced the "Mistress Nell" 
 Of the play to the public. 
 
^ 
 
 Jiu 
 
 Mil. 
 
 EPILOGUE 
 
 Spoken by Miss Crosman for the first time in 
 New York at the Bijou Theatre on the evening 
 of Odtober 9, 1900: 
 
 GOOD friends, before we end the play, 
 ^ beg you all a moment stay : 
 I warn my sex, by Nell's afiair. 
 Against a rascal called Adair ! ' 
 
 If lovers' hearts you'd truly scan, 
 Odsfish, perk up, and be a man ! ' 
 
 JJU. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 "And oncf Nell Gwyn, a frail young sprite. 
 Look d kindly when 1 met her; 
 I shook my head' perhaps — but q'uite 
 Forgot to quite forget her" 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 It's near your cue. Mistress Nell! 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 He toot them from Castiemainc's hand to 
 throw to you. 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 Flowers and Music fied naught hut Love. 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 It was never treason to steal a King's kisses. 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 Softly on tiptoe; 
 Here Nell doth lie. 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 Come down! 
 Come up! 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 "And the man that is drunk is as greai as a 
 
 king." 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 Three chickens! 
 
 [ vii ] 
 
 41 
 
 62 
 
 87 
 lOI 
 
 III 
 
 1x6 
 142 
 
CHAPTER X 
 Arrtst him yourself! 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 In the J! fid, men; at court, women! 
 CHAPTER XII 
 Beau Adair is my name. 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 for the glory of England? 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 He loves me! He Ivues me! 
 CHAPTER XV 
 / come, my love; I come. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 Ods-pitikins, my own refeaion! 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 '"':hei:i!'.''"'"'^''y'fi-''^'""'y'^'" 
 
 i68 
 182 
 
 '95 
 
 232 
 
 240 
 
 259 
 276 
 290 
 
 [ viii ] 
 
^^^^~ 
 
 MISTRESS NELL 
 
 "And ome Ne/lQwy», a fr<ul young >pr.te, 
 Look d kindly when I met hir ; 
 I ihook my head perhaps — but qliit, 
 Forgot to quite forget her." 
 
 It was a merry time in merry old Eng- 
 land; for King Charles II. was on the 
 throne. 
 
 Not that the wines were better or the 
 ladies fairer in his day, but the renaissance 
 ot carelessness and good-living had set 
 in. True Roundheads again sought quiet 
 abodes in which to worship in their gray 
 and sombre way. Cromwell, their un- 
 crowned king, was dead; and there was 
 no place for his followers at court or in 
 tavern. Even the austere and Catholic 
 smile of brother James of York, one day 
 to be the ruler of the land, could not cast 
 a gloom over the assemblies at Whitehall 
 Th-re were those to laugh merrily at the 
 
 [ I ] 
 
—■6 o v,,i, a„a at the p avers' wif TfvT"" 
 morrow. ^' *"'' °° "re for the 
 
 prosperous? Are nnffK I ^^^ '^^J 
 
 est London fil ed wff T''"' '" '■^'"°^- 
 who drink and sinrtn /h°-'' k'"S ^P'"'^ 
 tent of their deel^ u ^'^ ''^^'■^^' """ 
 Can they not sTet wh^ ^^ J"^* ''^^^ 
 mand when dryP '" '^""^^^^ ^"^ de- 
 
 sword once f ,owe7c7or '^r^"" '""^ 
 gay cloalc and thTbig'^E:^" ^ ^^/ 
 not ^uue hide the notLTdifc^H^" '^•^ 
 rass of an Ironside. ^ '^■scarded cui- 
 
 Cockpits and theatres' It i. .K d 
 toration.'Themavnnl. ''^^ ^^S" 
 
 ne maypole IS up again at May- 
 [ 2 J ■' 
 
A Merry T ale of a Merry Time 
 
 pole Lane, and the milk-maids bedecked 
 with garlands dance to the tunes of the 
 hddle. Boys no longer serve for heroines at 
 the play, as was the misfortune in Shake- 
 speare's day. The air is full of hilarity and 
 joy- 
 Let us too for a little hour forget re- 
 sponsibility and fall in with the spirit of 
 the times; while we tipple and toast, and 
 vainly boast: "The King! Long live the 
 King!" 
 
 Old Drury Lane was alive as the sun 
 was setting, on the day of our visit to 
 London Town, with loungers and loafers; 
 busy-bodies and hawkers; traffickers of 
 sweets and other petty wares; swagger- 
 ing soldiers, roistering by, stopping for- 
 sooth to throw kisses to inviting eyes at 
 the windows above. 
 
 As we turn into Little Russell Street 
 from the Lane, passing many chairs richly 
 made, awaiting their fair occupants, we 
 come upon the main entrance to ' the 
 King's House. Not an imposing or spa- 
 cious structure to be sure, it nevertheless 
 was suited to the managerial purposes of 
 [3] 
 
ish wSt a d en T'""' ^""^ '" ' fi"- 
 
 revealed seT/inh^ T"'"!^ ^"'^'^' '^^^ 
 r^.jnJi '"^ '^^nce by means nf 
 
 "Thnr^ "p" -"'5 play was on 
 
 - The Conquest of Granada " The L,f 
 ot London were fh^r^. r \- ^ "^ ^^st 
 
 then was as attraV 'e "s' ats? n "^ "'^'^ 
 In the balcony were dr. n'^.^^'" °^- 
 which lovely JolTwe Keen T' j" 
 
 "'g pretty compliments with the fl iff " 
 vountes by his side h;, . j ^"^ ^^- 
 
 or her golden warec Tu^^ ,, '"*= cost 
 
 fcrred Lin, rS ^^nf f^"/^ ^^ 
 
 shame of it r ''ss^'ng— forthe 
 
 L 4 J 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 A knowing one in the crowd was heard 
 to say: "'Tis Castlemaine to the King's 
 left." ^ 
 
 " No, 't is Madame Carwell ; curse her," 
 snarled a more vulgar companion. 
 
 "Madame Querouaille, knave, Duch- 
 ess of Portsmouth," irritably exclaimed 
 a handsome gallant, himself stumbling 
 somewhat over the French name, though 
 making a bold play for it, as he passed 
 toward his box, pushing the fellow aside. 
 He added a moment later, but so that no 
 one heard : " Portsmouth is far from here." 
 It was the Duke of Buckingham— the 
 great Duke of Buckingham, in the pit of 
 the King's House! Truly, we see strange 
 things in these strange times! Indeed, 
 William Penn himself did not hesitate 
 to gossip with the orange-wenches, unless 
 Pepys lied— and Pepys never lied. 
 
 " What said he ? " asked a stander-by, 
 a butcher, who, with apron on and sleeves 
 to elbow, had hastily left his stall at one of 
 the afternoon and still stood with mouth 
 agape and fingers widespread waiting for 
 the play. Before, however, his sooty com- 
 
 [5] 
 
was on every lip. ^^"- ^^J^-' 
 
 And who was "Nell"? 
 
 Nell Gw;„ :ie ,rt!lT ^''^^^P^'^ ^""'^ 
 England ''^'^f '^^"'est rogue in merry 
 
 i-ane and eh*. h.,k-. - ""^ "^ Urury 
 House ^''"^"'^^ °f 'h^ King's 
 
 nowVe;" 'on eTheIr ^^H^^f^''-'^^ 
 of the Lane H tneatre, and the dol 
 
 deli-lS a, ,L! ""'"" '"°™<' "ith 
 [6] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 This pace in foolery had been set at the 
 Duke's House, but Nell out-did them, 
 with her broad-brimmed hat as large as 
 a cart-wheel and her quaint waist-belt; 
 for was not her hat larger by half than 
 that at the rival house and her waist-belt 
 quainter? 
 
 As she came forward to speak the pro- 
 logue, her laugh too was merrier and more 
 roguisii: 
 
 "This jest was first of the other house's making, 
 And, five times tried, has never fail' d of taking ; 
 
 This is that hat, whose very sight did win ye 
 To laugh and clap as though the devil were in ye. 
 
 I'll write a play, says one, for I have got 
 A broad-brimm'd hat, and waist-belt, towards 
 
 a plot. 
 Says the other, I have one more large than that. 
 Thus they out-write each other with a hat! 
 The brims still grew with every play they writ; 
 An' grew so targe, they cover d all the wit. 
 Hat was the play ; V wa; language, wit, and 
 
 tale: 
 Like them that find meat, drink, and cloth in ale." 
 
 [7 ] 
 
 I 
 
A fair Jmnd hn ' "''°" ^^"'« face. 
 Patienti; upon'hl sT' M ^" ^'^"'^ ™- 
 gently ^0^' Les ^ .'n'"^ ^'■^^^™ 
 
 "Thanks r7?, ^ " ^^"' '"X ^^^g^" 
 
 thoughtful." ^^" " ^""^ always 
 
 The play went on. The ^ftr... 
 went. Hart appeared ,„7,''^*°'^^"meand 
 
 Almanzor-^^dre" "^ i^''"' '°^'' ^' 
 served its purposes foroTh 1^'^^^^ ^^^ 
 hap had not; for cast^ff °''"f '"^y- 
 without regard tn fi. court-dresses, 
 
 '-'ourite cStumes nTh' "T '^' P'^^-^' 
 "ess more than the "^'^ ^^'' '^"■''^^- 
 
 With m X fore? h ""'"f f ^• 
 centre of th^e silel:^^" T'^ ^'°"' '^' 
 and syllable precE' Dri^ °^"'"'" ''""^ 
 
 the poet The" ? , ''^ approvingly to 
 thepatronlgeKeT'^^'P^^ - 
 
 aud4cewefeeneha„e"DrTi'°^'-^™^ 
 a tnumphant smile as he 7 >'"'"' "^'"^ 
 poetic lines and heard fh T'" V^"" ^^' 
 lables receive rounds of- l^"'''^"^ ^y'' 
 Londoners "^'^^^^PP'ause trom the 
 
 L ^ J 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 Was it the thought, dear Dryden; or 
 was It Nell's pretty ways that bewitched 
 the most of it? Nell's laugh still echoes in 
 the world; but where are your plays, dear 
 Dryden? 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 s near your cue. Mistress Nell/ 
 
 Ti 
 
 was s^alSfa oZ °'''^ ^'"^''^ "«"- 
 to the Let o„ ? "^^ ^'=^g^' another 
 
 armour hung upon, he w,ll.g™,;[„°i;j 
 [ 1° ] 
 
^ 
 
 A Merry T ale of a Merry Time 
 
 light of candles fixed in brazieVs. Rushes 
 were strewn about the floor. 
 
 Ah! Pepys, Pepys, was it here that 
 you recalled "sp- daily kissing of Nell"? 
 Mayhap; for we read in your book: "I 
 kissed her, and so did my wife, and a 
 mighty pretty soul she is." Be that as 
 It may, however, you must have found 
 Nell's hps very agreeable; for a great wit 
 has suggested that it was well that Mrs. 
 Pepys was present on the occasion. 
 
 On great play-nights, however, this 
 most unroyal room assumed the propor- 
 tions of royalty. Gallants and even lords 
 sought entrance here and elbowed their 
 way about; and none dared say them nay. 
 They forced a way even upon the stage 
 during the play, though not so commonly 
 as before the Restoration, yet still too 
 much; and the players played as best they 
 could, and where best they could. fi/Z/m- 
 ^/o«x passed, sweet words were said, — all 
 in this dilapidated, unpretentious, candle- 
 lighted room. 
 
 At the moment of which we speak, the 
 greenroom was deserted save for a lad of 
 r IT 1 
 
from " Hamlet "h'"^ del.venng bits 
 
 The lad strurk a /°V "& ' '"o"se. 
 
 clouded Pleassle.K'"''"'^'' ^'^ ^'^^ 
 the proper pSe fori ''''r^^ ^°^™ 
 meditations anS h 'T^ '^^"^- His 
 
 broken rupon tZ"' ^T''''^ --- 
 of Manager Hart fl^ 'f'^^'' ^"'™^e 
 "sualstatrof^S^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 ''W?a7areTV™^^^^'^"^«J°-Jy. 
 
 --^-5.;°^^St£s: - 
 S"S^=Varar"'^^^"''''^-'"g- 
 
 :;-.iono;rdrs^^;;S: 
 the"irrn:n;'jr'"^i'''--'"^ 
 
 wisenotto yra'rfh^^ 
 "1VT *"ch a time 
 
 Never m>nd where I left ,> n ■ 
 [ 12 ] »' 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 f'^f 'ly-" Hart rushed to the door"^ 
 looked off in an increasing state of ex- 
 citement. 
 
 . " ^^y- yo" 've got your dagger on, 
 sir, hesitatingly suggested the lad, as he 
 caught the gleam of a small scimiter 
 amon^ the foi>, of Almanzor's tunic 
 
 Ha. t's face flushed. 
 ^^ "Devil take you, boy," he exclaimed; 
 
 you are too stupid ever to make an ac- 
 tor!" 
 
 With this speech, the manager strode 
 out of the greenroom toward the stage. 
 Poor Dick sank back in an attitude of 
 resignation. "How long, O Rome, must 
 1 endure this bondage.?" he said, sadly. 
 He again observed his boyish figure 
 in the mirror, and the pretty face bright- 
 ened as he realized that there might still 
 be hope in life, despite Manager Hart's 
 assertion that he would never be able to 
 aft. His features slowly sank into a set 
 expression of tremendous gloom, such a^^ 
 he thought should characterize his con- 
 ception of himself as Hamlet when in 
 days to come the mantles of Burbage and 
 [ ^3 ] 
 
__________^)^rx Nell 
 
 Hart must bow to him H. ^^"^S'^'" 
 fixed before th. Iss'^a^/ ^""^ ^'■^"^- 
 g«fu» of his ills. H^prett?. '""'^°'- 
 and one close by mi JL^h! ^u'^' '"°^^'^' 
 "To be or notl be ' n ''.^"''^ ^'S^''"' 
 phrase. '" ^ell-modulated 
 
 "Ah, boy; here'" 
 O'ck started. 
 
 rose'wi;rrot^'oVd""^'K^^"^"''-°'d- 
 theroomquSv h r' T^" ^^'^ ^"^-'"ed 
 the streetTl'S ^.^TtT'"'''^ '^"^^ 
 we observed ,n the J-f nf,^ ^"^°"^^^ 
 that of one accu.tnnf I [ '"^""^'' ^as 
 quickly too ThebH. '°u^.' '^'^^>'^d ^"d 
 low. -^ ^ ^^'^ ^"^^ J^^m and bowed 
 
 woIm^V'^^-J,^,^^!' ?1^"^'^- 
 ^'vely," he said ' -^'^^^3^' '=»d; 
 
 abou?tLX't?r"^"'^"^p^'^ 
 
 Wrs,nhertiin;!-root"^^"^'^- 
 The boy took the beautiful bouquet 
 [ H J 
 
1 
 
 A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 of white roses. " Yes, my lord," he re- 
 plied, and turned to do the bidding. 
 
 "Flowers strewn in ladies' v/ays oft' 
 lead to princely favours," muttered his 
 lordship, thoughtfi'lly, as he removed his 
 gloves and vainly adjusted his hat and 
 swoid. "Portsmouth at Dover told me 
 that." 
 
 It was apparent from his face that 
 much passed before his mind, in ths 
 little second, of days when, at Dover 
 Castle not long since, he had been a part 
 — and no small part— of the intrigue 
 well planned by Louis of France, and 
 well executed by the Duchess of Orleans 
 assisted by the fair Louise, now Duchess 
 of Portsmouth, in which his own purse 
 and power had waxed mightily. What- 
 ever his lordship thought, however, it 
 was gone like the panorama before a 
 drowning brain. 
 
 He stopped the lad as he was entering 
 Nell s tiring-room, with an exclamation 
 The boy returned. 
 
 " You gave Mistress Nell my note bid- 
 ding her to supper.?" he asked, quesfion- 
 
No my lord; quite serious." 
 
 he mifih have r \^"'"'"^'^' ^^ere 
 
 d.aw o'ut the hd"'^'' ^""'^^ '° 
 
 "She threw it on the floor, mv lord! " 
 meekly answered Dirt ua- ■( .5 
 
 on t, she said somethin,^ n.S '*&"'' 
 
 swer, boy?" The d nl^^' '°'"*= ^"- 
 
 y- i he diplomat was growing 
 
 i6 J ^ 
 
r 
 
 A Merry T ale of a Merry Time 
 
 earnest despite himself, as diplomats often 
 do in the cause of women. 
 
 Dick trembled. 
 
 " She said your dinners made amends 
 for your company, my lord," he said, 
 meekly. 
 
 Buckingham's eyes snapped; but he 
 was too clever to reveal his feelings fur- 
 ther to a call-boy, whom he dismissed 
 with a wave of the hand. He then swag- 
 gered to the table and complacently ex- 
 claimed: "The rogue! Nelly, Nelly, your 
 lips shall pay tribute for that. Rosy im- 
 pudence! Buckingham's dinners make 
 amends for his company.? Minx!" He 
 threw himself into a chair, filled with 
 deep reflexions of supper and wine, wit 
 and beauty, rather than state-craft. 
 
 Thus lost in selfish reflection, he did 
 not observe, or, if he did, cared not for, 
 the frail figure and sweet face of one who 
 cautiously tiptoed into the greenroom. 
 It was Orange Moll, whose sad counte- 
 nance and tattered garments betokened 
 a sadder story. Her place was in the nit 
 with her back to the stage, vending her 
 [ 17 ] 
 
•^ran^res to artisans L'irlT^TiT""^ ~j 
 
 foolish LMlIant. Sk' u, ^" ^'=''»'''^s "r 
 thescei';'.''^''''''^"°'-'«ht behind 
 
 out Ndr 'T'u ^"''^ '" '^"'^^ fiere with- 
 
 "Oranges? W M i , , ""^'^'"gham. 
 
 Only sixpSe mv lord • ^ '"^ """g--^ 
 len/th th^n k ^^ ' ^f'e ventured at 
 
 offSd tr wrres''"lf' ^ .^'""'"'^ -'^ 
 thoughts wereTlU," ''^ '"^^^'^'P'^ 
 his''sI'::,Sn"!.^-^°-"PperP^ 
 
 '■ke spiced tonTue " r ^""^ ^°"''i 
 
 and eyes were Sd "'''"']y .^'^ hands 
 
 ofthe^•nte^v:„"o'^rp^'"r 
 
 Be, and so suddenly that MnlM I '^'' 
 " Ve Hods " h^ Z I . ' '^'■^^ hack, 
 
 has e,, .uth of ,tf '"^^^ =iloud, "she 
 vintage ofl" '^'' '^'"''^y'- Ah, the 
 
 hirrMoT"''^".-"-^^ which 
 famiir o7an^!4^ :rt'"^ h>s ^^^ 
 
 [ i8 J 
 
A Merry Tak of a Merry Time 
 
 Buckingham's eyes ri^i^d'withln^^ 
 he was not wont to have his way, miicli 
 less his pleasure, disturbed by the lowly 
 "Oh, hang you, you disturb me. I am 
 thmkmg; don't you perceive I am think- 
 ing? Begone!" 
 
 "Only sixpence, my lord; I have not 
 sold one to-night," pleaded the girl, sadly 
 
 His lordship rose irritably. " I have no 
 pauper's pence," he exclaimed. "Out of 
 my way! Ragbag!" He pushed the girl 
 roughly aside and crossed the room. 
 
 At the same instant, there was confu- 
 sion at the stage-door, the climax of 
 which was the re-entrance of Hart into 
 the greenroom. 
 
 " How can a man play when he trem- 
 bles for his life lest he step upon a lord?" 
 cried the angry manager. "They should 
 
 behorsewhippedoffthestage,and"_his 
 eyes falling upon Buckingham— "out of 
 the greenroom." 
 
 "Ah, Hart," began his lordship, with 
 a patronizing air, "why is Nelly so lonc.f 
 i desire to see her." " 
 
 Hart's lips trembled, but he controlled 
 [ 19 ] 
 
his passion. "Indeed? His~!Vn;j;;;^77rd 
 the good folk in front ..„uld ioub^s^ 
 gladly awau you,- .nterview with mIs- 
 tress Eleanor Gwyn. Shall I announce 
 
 rp^rpiTvV-^'"-°^'^^''^^-y"nd 
 
 piie/h-Ki;:;"'"''^'*^"^"-'"- 
 
 ^^ " Not so," said the aftor, bowing low- 
 ^ Um your lordship's most obedient ser^ 
 
 Buckin,t^ham's lip curled and his eves 
 
 but the room was meantime filling with 
 players from the stage, some exchanging 
 comphments, some strutting before th! 
 glass, and he would not so degrade his 
 
 tTn?n tf°" ''^'"•. ^'^''' ^-' •" hand 
 even ,n he manager's room, was testing 
 
 lshSLT""^''"''^"^™''"''''y 
 
 forl'''^ "'"^"''°" 'T ^°" ""'•^g^. 3"d 
 Wll "'"l^g^'" cheery: "Oranges? 
 W,ll^you_have my oranges? Onlyl.. 
 
 She boidly offered her wares to Al- 
 [ 20 J 
 
mp? Back to the pit, where y<.u be- 
 long. I he manager's voice was full of 
 
 meaning. 
 
 . " ^,^" '°'«1 'Pe I might come here, sir," 
 said the g,rl, faintly excusing herself. 
 
 Harts tempe; got the better of him. 
 To admit before all that Nell ruled the 
 theatre was an affront to his managerial 
 dignity which he could not brook 
 
 hneked, as he angrily paced the room 
 hke^^some caged beast, gesticulating 
 
 The adtors gathered in groups and 
 looked askant. 
 
 " Gadso," he continued, " who is man- 
 ager, 1 should like to know! Nell would 
 mtroduce her whole trade here if she 
 could. Every orange-peddler in London 
 will set up a stand in the greenroom at 
 the King s, next we know. Out with you ' 
 This is^a temple of art, not a market- 
 place. Out with you ! '* 
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
Mistress Ne/I 
 
 He seized Moll roughly in his anger 
 and almost hurled her out at the door 
 He would have done so, indeed, had not 
 iN 11 entered at this moment from the 
 stage. Her eye caught the situation at a 
 glance. 
 
 "Oh, blood, lago, blood!" she ex- 
 claimed, mock-heroically, then burst 
 into the merriest laugh that one could 
 care to hear. "How now, a tragedy in 
 the greenroom! What lamb is being sac- 
 rinced.?" 
 
 Hart stood confused; the players whs- 
 
 pered in expedation; and an amused smile 
 played upon the features of my Lord B uck- 
 ingham at the manager's discomfiture 
 b inally Hart found his tongue. 
 
 " An old comrade of yours at orange- 
 vending before you lost the art of afting " 
 he^suggested, with a glance at Moll. 
 
 "By association with you. Jack?"' re- 
 plied the witch of the theatre in a way 
 which bespoke more answers that wis- 
 dom best not bring forth. 
 
 Nell's whole heart went out to the sub- 
 jedt of thecontroversy.Poorlittle tattered 
 [ 22 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Mt. 
 
 ■J 
 
 Orange Moll! She was carried back in an 
 instant to her own bitter life and bitter 
 struggles when an orange-girl. Throwinj/ 
 an arm about the child, she kissed awav 
 the tears with, « What is the matter, dear 
 
 "They are all mocking me, and sent 
 me back to the pit," repli-d the girl, hys- 
 terically. •' 
 
 " Shame on you all,"said Nell; and the 
 eyes that were so full of comedv revealed 
 tragic fire. 
 
 " Fy, fy," pleaded Hart; " I '11 be char- 
 itable to-morrow, Nell, after this strain 
 IS off— but a first night — " 
 
 "You need charity yourself.?" sug- 
 gested Nell; and she burst into a merry 
 laugh, m which many joined. 
 
 Buckingham instantly took up the 
 gauntlet for a bold play, for a coup d'etat 
 in flattery. "Pshaw!" he cried, waving 
 aside the players in a princely fashion! 
 When Nell plays, we have no time to 
 munch oranges. Let the wench bawl in 
 the street." 
 
 Poor Moll's tears flowed again with 
 roil 
 i- ^j J 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 ! 
 
 each harsh word. Nell was not so easily 
 afFefted. ^ 
 
 " Odso, my lord ! It is a pity your lord- 
 ship is not a player. Then the orange-trade 
 would flourish," she said. 
 
 Buckingham bowed, amused and cu- 
 rious. "Say you so, i' faith! Pray, why, 
 mad minx.?" 
 
 "Your lordship would make such a 
 good mark for the peel," retorted Nell, 
 tossing a bit of orange-peel in his face, to 
 the infinite delight of Hart andhis fellow- 
 players. 
 
 "Devil!" angrily exclaimed his lord- 
 ship as he realized the insult. "I would 
 kill a man for this; a woman, I can only 
 love." His hand left his sword-hilt; and 
 he bowed low to the vixen of the theatre, 
 picked from the floor the bit of peel 
 which had fallen, kissed it, tossed it over 
 his shoulder and turned away. 
 
 Nell was not done, however; her re- 
 venge was incomplete. "There! dry your 
 eyes, Moll," she exclaimed. "Give me 
 your basket, child. You shall be avenged 
 still further." ^ 
 
 [ H] 
 
greenroom „^u now niied from 
 
 course of her vengeance none could 
 
 The manager, catching at the prohahl^ 
 outcome when Nell seized fro^ £• 
 
 ;C>eatHea;eS^,^^.^lXe;-!: 
 
 which kept the grrenrrmC'b::r;' 
 
 the suspense of a drama; for Nell herself 
 was a whole play as she stood in 1 cen f 
 of that httle group of lords and plavers 
 
 arm Wh.f °^°'-^"g« on her dimpled 
 arm. What a pretty pifture she was too- 
 
 [ 25 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 prettier here even than on the stage ! The 
 nearer, the prettier ! A band of roses, one 
 end of which formed a garland falling to 
 the floor, circled and bound in her curls. 
 What a figure in her Oriental garb, hid- 
 ing and revealing. Indeed, the greenroom 
 seemed bewitched by her cry: "Oranges, 
 will you have my oranges?" 
 
 She lifted the basket high and offered 
 the fruit in her enchanting old-time way, 
 a way which had won for her the place 
 of first aftress in England. Could it not 
 now dispose of Moll's wares and make the 
 child happy.? Almahyde's royal train was 
 caught up most unroyally, revealing two 
 dainty ankles;and she laughed and danced 
 and disposed of her wares all in a breath. 
 Listen and love: 
 
 Sweet as love-lips, dearest mine. 
 Picked by Spanish maids divine. 
 Black-eyed beauties, who, like Eve, 
 With golden fruit their loves deceive! 
 Buy oranges; buy oranges! 
 
 Close your eyes, when these you taste; 
 Think your arm about her waist: 
 
 [ 26] 
 
 I 
 
__£^^f^V^J}^^ejfaMerry rime 
 •Thus with sixpence may mTwTn 
 Happiness unstained with sin. 
 Buy oranges; buy oranges! 
 
 As the luscious fruit you sip^ 
 You will wager 'tis her lip) 
 Nothing sweeter since the rise 
 Of wickedness in Paradise. 
 
 Buy oranges; buy oranges! 
 
 There were cries of "Brava'" "An 
 otherj.g!" and "Hurrah for Nellv-" It 
 was one of those bits of adting behind the 
 scenes which are so rare and exquisite and 
 which the audience never see. 
 
 "Marry gallants, deny me after that 
 if you dare ; and Nell's little foot came 
 
 down firmly m the last step of a trium- 
 Phantj.g, mdicating a determination that 
 Moll s oranges should be sold and quickly 
 
 "Last ad! All ready for the last aft" 
 rang out m Dick's familiar voice from the 
 stage-door as she ended. It was well some 
 one thought of the play and of the audi- 
 ence in waiting. 
 
 Many of the players hastily departed to 
 [ 27 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 take up their cues; but not so Nell. Her 
 eyes were upon the lordly Buckingham, 
 who was endeavouring to effed a crafty 
 exit. ■' 
 
 Not so fast, my lord," she said as 
 she caught his handsome cloak and drew 
 him back into the room. "I want you 
 with me." She looked coyly into his lord- 
 ship's face as though he were the one man 
 in all the world she loved, and her curls 
 and cheek almost nestled against his rich 
 cloak. "A dozen, did you say.? What a 
 heart you have, my lord. A bountiful 
 heart ! " 
 
 Buckingham was dazed; his eyes 
 sought Nell, then looked aghast at the 
 oranges she would force upon him. The 
 impudence of it! 
 
 "A dozen!" he exclaimed in awe. 
 "'Slife, Nelly; what would I do with a 
 dozen oranges.?" 
 
 "Pay for them, in sooth," promptly 
 replied the vixen. " I never give a lord 
 credit." 
 
 The player-folk gathered closer to 
 watch the scene; for there was evidently 
 [ 28 ] 
 
J±^tlll:!hj[^crry Time 
 
 expense of a very royal gentleman 
 
 A player talk of credit!" replied hi. 
 lordsh.p, quite ironically, as he t ath 
 ened up proudly for a wi^ 1 ^ 
 "What would become Zl'u'"'''''"- 
 mers, if the lords dTdTot fi f th "'"■"■ 
 Pocketsr.hesaid,crusl'i''^'^^-P'^ 
 What would become of the lords if 
 the players' brains did not try to fin S' 
 
 -Jtyskullswithwitsr,uLVi;ltd 
 
 "^^ y°u were a man, sweet Nellv I 
 
 houd answer: -The lords first hadll 
 
 players! '" " '"^^'^"'^^ '^'"^ with 
 
 "And being a woman, I do answer " 
 
 replied the irrepressible Nell "" w 
 
 played the fools'themselvS:';;y,o7d":l 
 
 The players tned to smother their feel 
 
 ^ngs; but the retort was too apt and the 
 greenroom rang with laughter 
 
 iJuckmgham turned fiercelv „„ 
 them; but their faces were insZ*?" 
 mumtrified. instantly 
 
 "Gad, I would sooner face the Dutch 
 [ 29 ] 
 
Mistress Null 
 
 he said. He had decided to succumb for 
 the present. In his finger-tips glistened a 
 golden guinea. 
 
 Nell eyed the coin dubiously. 
 
 " Nay, keep this and your wares too " 
 added his lordship, in hope of peace, as 
 he placed it in her hand. 
 
 "Do you think me a beggar?" replied 
 Nell, indignantly. "Take your posses- 
 sions, every one-every orange." She 
 tilled his hands and arms to overflowing 
 with her golden wares. 
 
 His lordship winced, but stood subdued. 
 
 'What am I to do with them?" he 
 asked, falteringly. 
 
 "Eat them; eat them," promptly and 
 forcefully retorted the quondam orange- 
 vender. ° 
 
 "All.? "asked his lordship. 
 
 "All!" replied her ladyship. 
 
 "Damme, I cannot hold a dozen " he 
 exclaimed, aghast. 
 
 "A chair! A chair!" cried Nell. 
 Would your lordship stand at the feast 
 of gold.? 
 
 [ 30 ] 
 
jdMerryjTale of a Merry Time 
 
 Before Buckingh^rad \\^toxlfi'^&. 
 upon the outrage to hi dignity, Nell 
 forced h,m ,nto a chair, to the great glee 
 of the by-standers, especially of Manager 
 Hart, who chuckled to an ^tiox by his 
 s'de: "She'll pluck his fine featLr^ 
 curse his arrogance." 
 
 " Your knees together, my lord ! What 
 have they never united in prayer?" glee- 
 Jf/ '^"ghed Nell as she further h^um- 
 bled h,s lordship by forcing his knees to- 
 gether to form a lap upon which to pile 
 more oranges. ^ 
 
 Buckingham did not relish the scene- 
 but he was clever enough o humour the 
 vixen both from fear of l.er tongue and 
 from hope of favours as well as words from 
 her rosy lips. 
 
 "They'll unite to hold //^^,wench,"he 
 suggested, with a sickly laugh, as he ob- 
 served his knees well laden with oranges 
 I trow not," retorted Nell; "thevcan 
 scarce hold their own. There!" and she 
 roguishly capped the pyramid which 
 burdened his lordship's knees with the 
 largest in her basket. 
 
 r 1, 1 
 
 L J = j 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 " 1 '11 barter these backlbTi^^Td^Tr—- 
 sweet xVell," he pleaded. ""^ '^'^""8=' 
 "What change?" quickly cried the 
 merry imp of Satan. 
 
 "I gave you a golden guinea," an- 
 swered h.s lordship, woefully 
 
 " I gave you a golden dozen, my lord ' " 
 replied Nell, gleefully. ' 7 ™. 
 
 "Oranges, who will have my oranges? " 
 She was done with '^■ickingh.iin and 
 had turned about for ot^ : .- prey 
 
 Hart could not allow the opportunity to 
 
 escape without a shot at his hated lordslfi " 
 
 Fleeced he whispered grimly over 
 
 h.sJor.ships shoulder, with a Lrry 
 
 Buckingham rose angrily 
 in Js^ h!'^"^ °V-^^ "^""'^'^ ""^ h^-- deal- 
 wide over the floor of the greenroom. 
 1 uu .',"''* ''^ P''""^. my lord to 
 
 be robbed by so fair a hand," Luinued 
 Hart, consolingly. « Tis an honour, I as- 
 sure you; we all envy you " 
 ^^^Buckingham did not relish the conso- 
 
 [ 32 ] 
 
1 
 
 A Merry Talc of u Merry Time 
 
 '"Tis an old saw. Master HarT^nie 
 replied: '"He laughs best who laughs 
 
 As he spoke, Nell's orange-cry rang 
 out again above the confusion and the 
 fun. She was still at it. Moll was finding 
 vengeance and money, indeed, though 
 she dwelt upon her accumulating posses- 
 sions through eyelashes dim with tears. 
 
 "It's near your cue, Mistress Nell " 
 cried out the watchful Dick at the stage- 
 door. ° 
 
 A^"n'.^ oranges left; see me sell them, 
 Moll, ^ cried the unheeding vender. 
 
 "It's near your cue. Mistress Nell'" 
 again shouted the call-boy, in anxious 
 tones. 
 
 "Marry, my cue will await my com- 
 ing, pretty one," laughed Nell. 
 
 The boy was not so sure of that " Oh 
 don't be late, Mistress Nell," he pleaded! 
 1 H buy the oranges rather than have 
 you make a stage-wait." 
 
 "Dear heart," replied Nell, touched 
 by the lad's solicitude. "Keep your pen- 
 nies, Dick, and you and I will have a lark 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 with them some fine day. Six oranges 
 left; going -going-" She sprang into 
 the throne-chair, placed one of the small- 
 es_t feet in England impudently on one 
 of Its arms and proceeded to vend her re- 
 maining wares from on high, to the huge 
 satisfaction of her admirers. 
 
 The situation was growing seriou 
 Nell was not to be triHcd with. The ac- 
 tors stood breathless. Hart grew wiid as 
 he realized the difficulty and the fatt that 
 she was uncontrollable. King and Parlia- 
 ment, he well knew, could not move her 
 from her whimsical purpose, much less 
 the manager of the King's. 
 
 "What are you doing, Nell?" he 
 pleaded, wildly. "You will ruin the first 
 night. His Majesty in front, too! Dryden 
 will never forgive us if 'Granada' goes 
 wrong through our fault." 
 
 " Heyday ! What care Hbr ' Granada '? " 
 and Nell swung the basket of oranges 
 high in air and calmly awaited bids 
 "Not a step on the stage till the basket is 
 empty." 
 
 It was Buckingham's turn now 
 [ 34 ] 
 
i 
 
 A Merry -Talc of a Merry -Time 
 
 " Here *s music for our manager,"~he 
 chuckled. "Our deepest sympathy, friend 
 Hart." 
 
 This was more than Hart could bear. 
 The manager of the King's House was 
 forced into profanity. "Damn your .sym- 
 pathy," exclaimed he; and few would 
 criticise him for it. He apologized as 
 quickly, however, and turned to Nell. 
 "There goes your scene, Nell. I'll buy 
 your oranges, when you come off," he con- 
 tinued to plead, in desperation, scarcely 
 less fearful of offending her than of of- 
 fending the great Lord Buckingham. 
 
 "Now or never," calmly replied the 
 vender from her chair-top.' 
 
 " The devil take the women," mut- 
 tered Hart, frantically, as he rushed head- 
 long into his tiring-room. 
 
 "Marry, Heaven defend," laughed 
 Nell; "for he's got the men already." 
 She sprang lightly from the chair to the 
 floor. 
 
 Hart was back on the instant, well out 
 of breath but purse in hand. 
 
 "Here, here," he exclaimed. "Never 
 [ IS ] 
 
radiantly. Indeed th.' ^".^^^^ ^^ining 
 have sr]Lu \ ^ audience would 
 
 nave gladly waited, could they have hnf 
 seen her pretty, winsome way ! « tEc are 
 
 Hart protested vainly. 
 
 boti aTms" tbo^t'S '° '?°"-' ^^" *''-- 
 "There Moll "u^ ?l'^ triumphantly. 
 
 1 36] 
 
A Merry Tale of g Merry Time 
 
 He succeeded in catching it despite his 
 excitement. 
 
 xr'nT.?"'' '="^— y°"r cue— Mistress 
 JNell! came from every throat as one. 
 
 Nell tossed back her head indifferently 
 " Let them wait; let them wait," she said! 
 dehantly. 
 
 The stage-beauty crossed leisur-ly to 
 the glass and carelessly arranged her dra- 
 pery and the band of roses encircling her 
 hair. ° 
 
 Then the hoyden was f nne. In an in- 
 stant, Nell was transformed into the prin- 
 cess, Almahyde. The room had been filled 
 witn breathless suspense ; but what seemed 
 to the players an endless period of time 
 was but a minute. Nell turned to the man- 
 ager, and with all the suavity of a prin- 
 cess of tragedy kissed her hand tantaliz- 
 ingly to him and said: "Now, Jack, I '11 
 teach you how to a<5l." 
 
 She passed out, and, in a moment 
 rounds of applause from the amphithea- 
 tre filled the room. She was right; the 
 audience would wait for her. 
 
 A moment later, the greenroom was 
 [ %7 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 deserted except for Manager Hart and 
 Lord Buckingham. Hart had thrown the 
 call-boy almost bodily through the door 
 that led to thestage, thus venting his aneer 
 upon the unoffending lad, who had bfen 
 unfortunate enough to happen in his way 
 111 betimes. He now stood vainly contem- 
 plating himself before the glass and await- 
 ing his cue. Buckingham leaned upon a 
 chair-top, uncertain as to his course 
 
 "Damme! She shall rue this work " 
 he muttered at length. "A man might 
 as well make love to a wind-mill I for- 
 got to tell her how her gown becomes 
 
 XK Y^^ ^ ^^'■^'^'^ ^'^'"g to forget." 
 The refleftion forthwith determined his 
 course. "Nelly, Nelly, Nelly," he called 
 as he quickly crossed the room after the 
 departed Nell, "you are divine to-night 
 
 Your gown is simply " 
 
 The manager's voice stayed him at the 
 
 iord!l"°''" "^^ '°'''^' '^°'"' ^^^^' ""y 
 
 Buckingham's hand had gone so far in- 
 deed, as to push open the door. He stood 
 entranced as he looked out upon the ob- 
 L 38 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 je(5t of his adoration upon the stage. " Per- 
 fedtion!" he exclaimed. "Your eyes " 
 
 "My lo- '., my lord, you forget — " 
 
 Buckingham turned indignantly at the 
 voice which dared to interrupt him in the 
 midst of his rhapsody. 
 
 " You forget — your oranges, my lord," 
 mildly suggested Hart, as he pointed to 
 the fruit scattered upon the floor. 
 
 Buckingham's face crimsoned. "Plague 
 on't! They are sour. Master Hart." With 
 a glance of contempt, he turned on his 
 heel and left the room. 
 
 A triumphant smile played upon the 
 manager's face. He felt that he had an- 
 noyed his lordship without his intention 
 being apparent. "A good exit, on my 
 honour," he muttered, as he stood con- 
 templating the door through which 
 Buckingham had passed; "but, by 
 Heaven, he shall better it unless he 
 takes his eyes from Nell. Great men be- 
 lieve themselves resistless with the fair; 
 more often, the fair are ..esistless with 
 great men." 
 
 He took a final look at himself in the 
 
 [ 39 ] 
 

CHAPTER III 
 
 He took them from Canlemmne\ hand to throw to you. 
 
 1 HE greenroom seemed like some old 
 forest rent by a storm. Its furniture, which 
 was none too regular at best, either in 
 carving or arrangement, had the irregu- 
 larity which comes only with a tempest, 
 humar divine. The table, it is true, still 
 stood . us fcr oaken legs; but even it 
 was well awry. The chairs were scattered 
 hej e and there, some resting upon their 
 backs. To add to all this, oranges in con- 
 cision were strewn broadcast upon the 
 
 A storm in fad had visited the green- 
 room. The storm was Nell. 
 
 In the midst of the confusion, a jolly 
 old face peeped cautiously in at the door 
 which led to the street. At the sound of 
 Manager Hart's thunderous tones com- 
 ing from the stage, ho wever, it as promptly 
 disappeared, only to return when the ap- 
 
"re and a rare old dresrand / ^fT 
 man. Yet nnt ^r, u ° ^ ''^''e old 
 
 was ed ; for he w f T '''^''- «'« ^^^ 
 
 known a^dielbdred^r^'^'r^" 
 ale! Acrosci hJc k ■ . '^' — ^'overofgood 
 
 for wear, if /d£" an et'r'bS TT 
 the worse for wear *° ^^ 
 
 «™ and looked ato„. thTL ''' 
 
 claimed. "A wise hl^j "' ^^ ^^- 
 
 He proceeded forthwith to fill u- 
 
 Tl.i3 done! hettar/Se-ato'ir-T- 
 
 "ps. His face was one wreath of nnl 
 smiles. "There .'s h„^ unftuous 
 
 ^iiere IS but one way to eat an 
 L 42 ] 
 
hole." tnat s through a 
 
 At this moment, Hart's voice was heard 
 
 again upon the stage, and the n w-comer 
 
 ter Hart\ lore'jonesV' ^^ufht^M 
 
 The door opened, but it was not Nell 
 Her maid pomted toward the sta^e 
 
 itT^'-^ ^'""g^ ^^« ^^^ name or^at" 
 east none knew him by a better Z f 
 
 ^ngly hobbled across Ih.To^L IT± 
 
 wars ,00 had left their markorhim 
 
 and^eepedoffinthedire«ionind.aTeI 
 
 . ^ad, he exclaimed, irleefullv r-i,„ 
 
 P'ng his hands, "there hrgoe7on tfZ 
 
 stage as a Moorish princess.'^ " '''' 
 
 ^Jhere was a storm of applause with- 
 
 " Bravo, Nelly, bravo!" he continued 
 
 She s caught the lads in the pit. They 
 L 43 J 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 worship Nell out t^h^i^iT^fhTddlbiw 
 
 "Oons! Jack Hart struts about like a 
 served. He broke into an infedtious laugh 
 
 Neiit,r;r^^^'^^"^«-^-'o^' 
 
 waS°t'?e^','"'"T\'^'^^y^ ^"'•"«=d to- 
 ward the place which he himself had 
 once occupied among the music ans He 
 began to dance up and down with both 
 feet his knees well bent, boy-fashion, and 
 to clap his hands wildly. " £ook ye little 
 
 Tompkins got my old place with^thefif 
 die Whack, de-doodle-de-do! Whack 
 de-doodle, de-doodle-de-do!" he cri'd 
 
 orchesfra! '"'"''°'' '^ '^^'^^'- °^'^^ 
 
 his'^own f ^'^'"^.'^'^ J^"d, confident of 
 
 i I will taKe more than cat- 
 
 [ 44 J 
 
Tommy, my boy." ' 
 
 Thus Strings stood blandly sucking his 
 
 orange wuh personal satisfition in^hc 
 
 centre of the room, when Dick enteed 
 from the stage The call-boy paused as 'f 
 he could not believe his eyes. He looked 
 and looked again. 
 
 fC ^'^"'t-}''- " ^^ exclaimed at last, and 
 ^aIZ^^^"^ '"^°^' '^^ ^o-" to greet the 
 old fiddler. « Why, Strings, I thfught we 
 
 rhyo"uT"^^^^^°"^^'"=^-'--^^ 
 
 Strings placed the orange which he 
 
 had been eating and which he knew full 
 
 well was none of his own well behind 
 him: and, assuming an unconcerned and 
 serious air, he replied: "Odd! A httle the 
 worse for wear, Dickey, me and the old 
 hddle, but still smiling with the world " 
 There was a bit of a twinkle in his eye 
 as he spoke. ^ 
 
 Dick, ever mindful of the welfare and 
 appearance of the theatre, unhooked from 
 the wall a huge shield, which mayhap 
 had served some favourite knight of yore 
 
and, using it as a tray, proceeded to gather 
 tne scattered fruit. fe-'i'icr 
 
 S^Wn"^''^ u" °''.^"S^?" he inquired of 
 Strings who still stood in a refledhve 
 
 mood in the centre of the room, as he 
 •ested in h . labours by him 
 
 "?°^: '^o they belong to you?" de- 
 manded Strings. .r ■ uc 
 
 T?''^j"f,'" ^'^'"'"ed Dick, "but-" 
 . 1 he hddler instantly assumed an air of 
 injured innocence. 
 
 upon the boy almost ferociously at the 
 
 bare thought. "Honestyis the best pol! 
 cy he continued, seriously. "I have 
 
 tried both,lad"; and, in ins eagerness to 
 
 taking that which does not belong to 
 you he gestured inadvertently with the 
 hand which till now had held^the sto en 
 orange well behind him 
 
 Dick's eye fell upon it, and so did 
 Strings s. There was a moment's awk- 
 wardness, and then both burst into a peal 
 of joyous laughter. ^ 
 
 [ 46 ] 
 
,.,, , , o. -K'le patronage 
 
 still than apology. He seated himseV 
 upon the table and began anew to suck 
 his orange in philosophic fashion. 
 
 "But, mind you, lad; never again offer 
 that wnich is not your own, for there 
 you are twice cursed," he discoursed 
 pompously. "You make him who re- 
 ceives guilty of your larceny. Oons, my 
 old wound." He winced from pain. " He 
 becomes an accomplice in your crime 
 bo says the King's law. Hush, lad, I am 
 devouring the evidence of your guilt " 
 
 The boy by this ti.-ne had placed the 
 shield of oranges in the corner of the 
 room and had returned to listen to 
 btrings s discourse. "You speak with the 
 earning of a solicitor," he said, as he 
 looked respedtfully into the old fiddler's 
 face. 
 
 Strings met the glance with due dig- 
 nity. " 
 
 "Marry, I've often been in the pres- 
 ence of a judge," he replied, with great 
 solemnity. His face reflefted the ups and 
 r 47 1 
 
downs in his w^cT^ThTii^^rT]; 
 
 tession ^^°^ '''t con- 
 
 "Heaven forbid!" exdaim,.^ c;» • 
 note, my bov -, °^„ 'S^^'^'^y'"- Take 
 
 men are bom tr. r-, '""'■opner. bome 
 ™d some h™f "f V™,' ""''"= '"«» 
 
 [48 J ^^- 
 
' 
 
 as he l.fted the old v.ol clot against his' 
 
 cheek and tenderly picked it. Vhe old 
 hddle IS true to me yet, though there is 
 but one string left to i.; dear^old ne I " 
 
 There was a sob in his voice as he spoke, 
 i tell you, a hddle's human, Dick' I 
 
 aughs at my jokes alone now; it weeps 
 at my sorrows." He sighed d;eply an^d 
 the tears gl.stened in his eyes. "Kfid- 
 
 it.e'^'^^-'yfnendle/meandthe 
 htt e ones at home now, my lad." 
 
 -And Dick!" the boy suggested 
 
 somewhat hurt. He too wL wfeft^g' 
 
 Its a shame; that's what it isl" he 
 
 plTvth?i"''fr*'y-"'r°-P'^"'^'"n' 
 
 «^Oon,T'" ''^^ ^"^^ "^^'l to. Strings." 
 
 Oons! exclaimed the fiddler the 
 
 humour m his nature bubbling aga n to 
 
 he surface. " It 's only now and thTthe 
 
 Lord h. time to make a fiddler, Dickey! 
 
 As he spoke, the greenroom shook 
 w.th the rounds of appfause from the " t 
 and galleries without ^ 
 
 "Hurrah!" he shouted, following 
 
Dick to the staseld^ kl ■ — 
 
 -Ling MoJ:,tZ„7-^, TuLZZl 
 
 voice, ,«rfi„L,!;:w.t™:rs 
 
 '■'*"' I-' SWe^l well „«„S/ 
 [ 5" J 
 
_JJ;I^rryJ-ak of a Merry Time 
 Dick was m^ii^r^^^^in^rTT^^^ 
 
 Vhe greenroom walls looked grim in 
 
 fa3rr;a"r^"^'^-''^^''^"-%Had 
 
 in JameNdl tT ''"' '''^' ^P^"^-^' ^"^ 
 beautTfblTn^ T "^'^ ^"'"^hing sadly 
 oeautitul and pathei . n her farT- <iui 
 had enjoyed but now one ofr'IgranZ 
 triumphs known to the theatre I^T 
 
 t::TTrr ^^^^^^^^ 
 
 t^ravas, to the lights and to the royalty 
 arms a bouquet of red roses. Her linl 
 
 v^rweieT"'"^"'^-"-^^-"^-- 
 ever, were far away m a dream of the 
 
 "From the hand of the King of En? 
 land! ' she mused softly to hersflf "Th^; 
 King? How like his face to the youthful 
 cavalier who weary and worn reined in 
 his steed a summer's day, now lon^aeo 
 and took a gourd of wate} from m^lZ] 
 
 po^ohfl'd^et^agr-^'^^'"^-^^-^' 
 [5'] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 She turnecf^ay, as fr^i^Thii^^dT^ 
 a heart-heavy laugh. The manager en- 
 tered from the stage. 
 . " See, Jack, my flowers," she said, again 
 in an ecstasy of happiness. "Are they not 
 exquisite.? ■' 
 
 "He took them from Castlemaine's 
 hand to throw to you," snarled Hart 
 jealously. ' 
 
 . "The sweeter, then! " and Nell broke 
 into a tantalizing laugh. "Mayhap he 
 was teaching the player-king to do like- 
 wise. Jack," she added, roguishly, as she 
 arranged the flowers in a vase. 
 
 "I am in no mood for wit-thrusts," 
 replied Hart as he fretfully paced the 
 
 [cTcTe" °" ^^'^"^ '^^' ^"^'"^ "^^ ^" 
 " In sooth your afting froze me," slyly 
 retorted Nell, kindly but pointedly. She 
 took the sweetest roses from the bunch 
 bosom ^""^ arranged them in her 
 
 This did not improve Hart's temper. 
 Strings seized the opportunity to es- 
 cape from his hiding-place to the stage 
 [ 52 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 "I say, you completely ruined my 
 work," said Hart. " The audience were 
 rightly displeased." 
 
 " With you, perhaps," suggested Nell. 
 " I did not observe the feeling." 
 
 Hart could no longer control himself. 
 "You vilely read those glorious lines : 
 
 "See^ how the gazing People crowd the Place; 
 A' I gaping to be fill' d with my Disgrace. 
 That Shout, like the hoarse Peals of Vultures 
 rings. 
 
 When, over fighting Fields they beat their 
 wings." 
 
 "And how should I read them, dear 
 master? " she asked demurely of her vain- 
 glorious preceptor. 
 
 "Like I read them, in sooth," replied 
 he, well convinced that his reading could 
 not be bettered. 
 
 "Like you read them, in sooth," re- 
 plied Nell, meekly. She took the floor 
 and repeated the lines with the precise 
 aftion and trick of voice which Hart had 
 used. Every "r" was well trilled; "gap- 
 ing" was pronounced with an anaconda- 
 
 [ SZ ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 1 IS monstrous!" exclaimf-rl tr . 
 buterly, as he realized the t avTst "v ' 
 cannot act and never coulJlSa fool 
 to engage you " • ^ was a tool 
 
 '•".;" she U?etUS^^^^ 
 
 notttt:..Ti;SHtf^"-^'«^"- 
 ^c:andtu?:^;t:;::rv::".s 
 
 me so yourself," she add4" sharl 
 pojnnng her finger at her adve sarT fn 
 
 SpSnf '"""'°"- '""^ --'^ -y 
 
 H "J "^''k ' ^°°' ''''^ the rest," replied 
 
 get th''^ ''7T^ '^-' ^^ could not 
 get the -tter of the argument. 
 
 [ 54] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 'Come, don't be angry. 
 
 „ J, said Nell, 
 .er manner had changed; for her heart 
 had made her fearful lest her tongue had 
 been unkind. " Mayhap Almahyde is the 
 last part Nell will ever play." She looked 
 thoughtfully into the bunch of roses. Did 
 she see a prophecy there? 
 
 He approached the table where she 
 stood. "Your head is turned by the flow- 
 ers," he said, bitterly. "An honest mo- 
 tive, no doubt, prompted the royal gift." 
 Nell turned sharply upon him. Her 
 lips trembled, but one word only came 
 to them— "Jack!" 
 
 Hart's eyes fell under the rebuke; for 
 he knew that only anger prompted what 
 he had said. He would have struck an- 
 other for the same words. 
 
 "Pardon, Nell," he said, softly. "My 
 heart rebukes my tongue. I love you!" 
 
 Nell stepped back to the mirror, con- 
 templating herself, bedecked as she was 
 with the flowers. In an instant she forgot 
 all, and replied playfully to Hart's confes- 
 sion of love: "Of course, you do. How 
 could you help it.? So do others," 
 
 [ 55 ] 
 
-nd she tiptoed ac,^'^hern''''^'T^^ = 
 sconced herself hi JhTnTh I "" """^ """ 
 
 ^ Hart followed fndVneltbe'r"'."^- 
 adoring. ^" °^'"w her, 
 
 "Admit that I can aft— a l.fM. . 
 
 -ng candle-light. Her sceJZ ^^"- 
 whichth KinWS^^^^^ 
 
 the"Su;?^r,httn t'??,^^ "^- 
 " I spoke in angrvou ' tt' '"''*' 
 vellous adressi the vTld nT'' '"''- 
 and genius crown your^orlc.^""^^' ''' 
 Nell smiled at h,s vehemence." I begin 
 
A Merry Talej fa Merry Time 
 
 |o think th^T^^^TwlI^^^li^^^T;^^ 
 
 Jent, she said. 
 
 Hart sprang to her side, filled with 
 hope. As the stage-lover he ne'er spoke in 
 
 tenderer tones. "Sweet Nell, when I found 
 
 you m the p,t, a ragged orange-girl, I saw 
 
 he sparkle in your eye, the bright intel- 
 
 ■gence, the magic genius, which artists 
 
 love. I claimed you for my art, which 
 
 s the art of arts -for it embraces all. I had 
 he theatre. I gave it you. You captured 
 the Lane- then London. You captured 
 my soul as well, and held it slave " 
 
 "Did I do all that, dear Jack?" she 
 asked, wistfully. 
 
 ^ ''And more ■■ said Hart, rapturously. 
 You captured my years to come, my 
 hope, ambition, love-all. All centred 
 in your heart and eyes, sweet Nell, from 
 the hour I first beheld you." 
 
 Nell's look was far away. "Is love so 
 beautiful? she murmured softly. Her 
 eye tell upon her sceptre-rose. "Yea I 
 
 begm to think it is. She mused a m'o- 
 ment until the silence seemed to awaken 
 her. She looked into Hart's eyes again, 
 
 i S7 \ 
 
cttort You paint the pifture well dear 
 
 model»?'1»,"°u-P"'"' '" ^'fh ^"ch a 
 "WelU H''\'^"'"^""°^^'^°^-*-^• 
 troth, I have relented like you, dear Tack 
 I admit you too can adtiand marvel 
 lously well " She took his tremblinTw 
 and descended from the throne. He S 
 
 himaSr'""^-'^"-^--^^^^ 
 
 " Is 't true? " he asked, eagerly, without 
 
 observing the hidden mefnin'g in he, 
 
 "Tis true, indeed— with proper em- 
 phasis and proper art and prof er^intont 
 
 lig her '^' '■°°'"' "^" f°" ^- 
 
 Nell Trn"/K''?^°''j°y'"'^^ breathed. 
 
 U.^Ai''-'^ ^,''^^ "P°" 'he table and 
 
 coked knowingly and ;eeply into Hart's 
 
 "In faith," she said, "I trow and sadly 
 [ 58 ] ^ 
 
asked he, jocosely/ 
 
 "Darling!" she cried, repeating the 
 word, wuh a pecuhar look. "To ell two 
 girls w,th.n the hour you love each to the 
 death would be in me hypocrisy I admi^ 
 bej^ond my art; but you men cin do sS 
 thmgs with conscience clear " 
 
 "le out, he thought. 
 . " Nell, I never loved the Spanish danc 
 •"fr^'J-'-Y^^knowIlovebutyou" 
 Oh, ho! laughed Nell. "Then whv 
 
 d;d^>:ou ten her so.._to break h^\t^ 
 knel'whJtS^r'^""^"^^'^-"— 
 
 Ji ^'l"v '"^ '''■"^'' ^^^">"^^ pleaded, fret- 
 
 Uid lever say I did.?" 
 Hart shook his head sadly 
 
 " Come, don't pout, Jack. An armistice 
 r _ _ 1 
 L J)y j 
 
_^ Mi stress Nell 
 
 n the old days when I needed one, and? 
 love you for that." She placed her hand 
 
 turn ^ ""f't --^g-'' shoulders, rTen 
 turned and began to arrange ane^ the 
 gift-flowers in the vase. 
 
 "I'll win your life's love Nell in 
 
 spue of you," L said, determined?! ' " 
 
 She turned her honest eyes upon him. 
 
 Nay do not try; believe me, do not 
 
 try, she said softly. 
 
 "Nell, you do not mean—?" His 
 
 voice faltered. ^ 
 
 "You must not love me," she said 
 
 firm y; "believe me, you must not." ' 
 
 i must not love you!" His voice 
 
 scarcely breathed the words. 
 
 "There, there; we are growing senti 
 mental, Jack,_and at ouf age "^she "' 
 pl'cd. She laughed gaily and^Ur ed for" 
 her tirmg-room. 
 He followed her. 
 
 "Sup with me, Nell," he pleaded. 
 Nowordofth.s, I promise you." 
 
 jack, she answered, cordially 
 [ 60 ] 
 
j^MenjJTalc of a A^^^^^TW" 
 
 " My second bidllTTiljrT;— y;7T7^ 
 
 thought. "Who sets the betterSt?" 
 
 the i;rr/"''"^7.''""'r ''"°'" "^^^ ^P'^".- and 
 he m t ""'^'^^.^-^^-J gleefully about 
 
 eem d r"^ '"'T"' ^"^ ^^^" ""dies 
 ^em(d happy when Nell came near 
 
 The ma.d stood ready to assist her to a 
 gown^and wrap, that she might leave the 
 
 Nell turned. Hart still stood waiting 
 
 The sp.ru of kindness oer-masteredief: 
 Your hand, friend, your hand " she 
 said, taking the manager's hand. "When 
 next you try to win a woman's love 
 dont throw away her confidence- 7or 
 
 buke LST'^ ^" ^"-^^ " -'^^ 'he re- 
 buke; and she entered her room. 
 
c H A p r i: R IV 
 
 Flowrn and Music f„d naught but Love. 
 
 1 HE manager stood a moment look- 
 ing through the half-closed door at Nell. 
 There was a strange mingling of contend- 
 ing forces at work in his nature. To be 
 sure, he had trifled with the affedions of 
 the Spanish dancing-girl, a new arrval 
 from Madrid and one of the latest attrac- 
 tions of the King's House; but it was his 
 pnde, when he discovered that Nell's 
 sharp eyes had found him out, that suf- 
 fered, not his conscience. Was he not the 
 fascinating aftor-manager of the House? 
 Could he prevent the ladies loving him.? 
 Must he be accused of not loving Nell 
 simply because his charms had edified the 
 shapely new-comer.? Nell's rebuke had 
 depressed him, but there was a smoul- 
 dering fire within. « 'Slife! " he muttered. 
 If 1 do not steal my way into Nell's 
 heart, I'll abandon the rouge-box and till 
 the soil." [ 62 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry rime 
 
 he 
 sr- 
 
 
 As he approached his tiring-roon 
 bethought him that it would be w-1 
 to have an oversight of the the?t.' 
 turned accordingly and pulled .. ■. 
 door that led to the stage. 
 
 As he did so, a figure fe, ./u- 
 greenroom, grasping devoted., u v, 
 lest his fall might injure it. Strin-s 
 been biding his time, waiting an or-,, . 
 tunity to see Nell, and had fallen asleep 
 behind the door. 
 
 "How now, dog!" exclaimed the 
 manager when he saw who the intruder 
 was. 
 
 Strings hastened to his feet and hob- 
 bled across the room. 
 
 " I told you not to set foot here again " 
 shouted Hart, following him virulently. 
 
 Strings bowed meekly. " I thought the 
 Kings House in need of a player- so I 
 came back, sir," said he. 
 
 Hart was instantly beside himself. 
 Zounds! he stormed. "I have had 
 enough impudence to contend with to- 
 night Begone; or up you go for a va- 
 grant. 
 
 [63 ] 
 
"I called on Mi^tl^^^n^^T— ^Tt;-— • 
 plained Strings. ^ ' ' '^^" 
 
 "Mistress Gwvn dnfc „„. 
 drunlcirH. " fi ? "°' receive 
 
 the fiddler oVt''°^'"""'°P"' 
 Nell's door was still ajar. She had r^ 
 -oved the roses from he! hair a„d dress" 
 She caught at once her rame La f 
 
 vain?" she called H .""^ "'""« ^n 
 through the^peting'^reft tlheT^' 
 andshescannedthefoorn ^'^''^°°'-' 
 
 who h?7 7' ^'1' "P°" '^^^ o'd fiddler 
 
 from he Ih? sfeTush^'d' "^ "'i^^^ "'"'^ 
 c. lips, sne rushed into the trreen 
 
 oo.na„d^.h.e botharn^sabontSt^;"^^^ 
 r-ck. My old comrade, as I live " shr 
 cned, dancng about him. "I am joved 
 to see you, Strings!" ^ =1'" joyed 
 
 t^I^'Z'lta^^ '"^ '^^ "-'^"ager eyin. 
 t..em w.th hery glances. She knew^lht 
 
 [ 64 ] 
 
____£Merry Tale of a M^ Tme 
 
 good to have Strings back?" she asked 
 sweetly. ' 
 
 Hart's face grew livid with anger. He 
 could see the merry devil dancin|in her 
 eye and on her tongue. He knew the hoy- 
 den wen. "Gad, I will resign manage- 
 ment. Heturnedonhisheelfenter Jhis 
 tmng-room and closed the door, no..e too 
 gently. He feared to tarry longer, lest he 
 might say too much. 
 
 Nell broke into a merry laugh- and 
 the hddler chuckled. ^ ^ ' 
 
 "You desert me these days. Strings," 
 he sa.d as she leaned against the table 
 and fondly eyed the wayfarer of the tat- 
 tered garments and convivial spirits 
 
 lul'; ''°"i 'r.f y°"' lackey-in-waiting. 
 Mistress Nell," said he, with a wink h, 
 the diredt.on of the departed manager. 
 
 Poor Jack. Never mind him," she 
 said with a roguish laugh, though with 
 no touch of mahce in it, for there was 
 devil without malice in Nell's soui 
 
 i^AA^' '''u '^';-'" '°"^'''' '^^ ^V'^s of the 
 hddler, her face grew thoughtful. She 
 
 I 6^ 1 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 spoke-hes.tated-and then spok^^^ 
 
 as .f the thought gave her pain. "Have 
 you kept your word to me. Strings and 
 
 word fell fa.ntly, tremblin^lv, from her 
 lips— almost maudibly ' 
 
 Nell's arm was lovingly about him in 
 an. nstant. "There, therV don't tell me" 
 often. There v, as a delicacy in her voice 
 
 acting The words had hurt her more 
 than h,m. She changed her manner San 
 
 Not ,0 with Strings. The tears were 
 in his eyes. "Mistress Nell, you are so 
 good^tome,''hesa.d;«andlLsuch: 
 
 ^J^So^you are. Strings," and she laughed 
 
 wh'l^ ^■''' u'"^^ '"y ''"'^ °"^« at home 
 who ,t,s th.it keeps the wolf from our 
 aoor, he continued. 
 
 " Not a word of that ! " she exclaimed 
 
 [ 66 j 
 
A Merry rale of a Merry Time 
 
 eyes grew big and bright as she reflefted 
 oi; the days she had visited the fiddler's 
 home and on the happiness her gifts had 
 brought nis children. For her, giving was 
 better than receiving. The feeling sprang 
 from the lulness of her own joy at see- 
 ing those about her happy, and not from 
 the teachmgs of priests or prelates. Dame 
 Nature was her sole preceptor in this. 
 
 1 II bring the babes another sugar 
 plum to-morrow. I haven't a farthing 
 to-mght. Moll ran away with the earn- 
 ings, and there is no one left to rob " she 
 said. ' 
 
 "Heyday," and she ran lightly to the 
 vase and caught up the flowers. " Take the 
 flowers to the bright eyes, to make them 
 brighter. They would at least add cheer- 
 fulness to the room where Strings lived 
 until she could bring something better 
 
 As she looked at the roses, she began to 
 realize how dear they were becoming to 
 herself, tor they were the King's gift; and 
 her heart beat quickly and she touched 
 the great red petals lovingly with her lips 
 [ 67 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 and 't" t '^'^^'^^^^^^^^^^^^'^r^-, 
 
 '"' °S=.™» iMinS "h^ rosM fall. ' 
 not handsome Strinac?" „ """• ^^ " 
 
 3'^r»?i?— -"^^^^^^ 
 
 The fiddler's face, however, was grave- 
 his eyes were on the floor ^'S"^^^^- 
 
 othe^^sur';!:"^ Jr' ""f "'^^ ^^^^' "^''^ 
 
 HavetHe^,-^ng,-^heTaST'wiro7r 
 joinder, then broke into a ringing lauS 
 
 She turned, only again to observe the 
 [ 68 J 
 
A Merry Ta lcjf a Merry Time 
 
 sad countenance of Strings. "Alack-a- 
 day ! Why do you not take the nosegay? " 
 she asked, wonderingly; for she herself 
 was so very happy that she could not see 
 why Strings too should not be so. 
 
 "It will not feed my little ones, Mis- 
 tress Nell," he answered, sadly. 
 
 Nell's heart was touched in an instant. 
 "Too true!" she said, sympathetically, 
 falling on her knee and lovingly gathering 
 up the roses. "Flowers and Music feed 
 naught but Love, and often then Love 
 goes hungry — very hungry." Her voice 
 was so sweet and tender that it seemed as 
 though the old viol had cau^^ht the notes. 
 "Last night. Mistress Nell," said 
 Strings, "the old fiddle played its sweet- 
 est melody for them, but they cried as if 
 their tiny hearts would break. They were 
 starving, and I had nothing but music 
 for them." 
 
 " Starving! " Nell listened to the word 
 as though at first she did not realize its 
 meaning. " What can I send.? " she cried, 
 looking about in vain and into her tiring- 
 room. 
 
 [ 69 j 
 
Mistress Ne/i 
 
 jewel upon her finger. "No no- I cTn 
 not th,nk of thacfhe though"' "" 
 Then the word "starving" came back 
 o her again with all its f^rce. "Starv- 
 
 norrors. Starving" seemed written on 
 every wall and on the ceiling. It pierced 
 her heart and brain. "Yes/l win "she 
 exclaimed wildly. "Here String;, oW 
 
 Srjh^'n'"""^'"'^^^^''--- 
 
 Stnngsstoodaghast. "No. Mistress 
 p^ied^^"""'-^°"™"<'he 
 
 trom generously laughed Nell 
 
 you must not; you are too kind " hi 
 continued, firmly. ' 
 
 .K^f^^^^' '^^°^- ^ '"'-'''" said Nell as 
 she forced the jewel upon him. "It wil 
 
 rdo'nT"^"°"''^^"'=-^' bes.de 
 1^ do not want my jewels to outshine 
 
 . Strings would have followed her and 
 
 insisted upon her takmg back the beau- 
 
 [ 70 ] 
 
^J^erryJTalc of a Merry rime 
 
 ''^"' g'^'' b"t Nell was gonTnr;:?!^,^ 
 and her door closed. 
 
 "To cut their teeth on!" he repeated 
 as he placed the jewelled ring wonder- 
 ."gly upon his bow-Hnger and watched it 
 sparkle and laugh in the light as he pre- 
 tended to play a tune. " She is always jok- 
 ing like that; Heaven reward her"' 
 
 He stood lost in the realization of sud- 
 den affluence. 
 
 Buckingham entered the room from 
 the stage-door. His eves were full of ex- 
 citement. "The audience .re wild over 
 Ne 1, simply wild," he exclaimed in his 
 enthusiasm, unconscious of the faft that 
 he had an auditor, who was equally ob- 
 livious of his lordship's presence. "Gad " 
 he continued, rapturously, half aloud, 
 half to himself, "when they are stum- 
 bling home through London fog, the 
 great comedienne will be playing o'er the 
 love-scenes with Buckingham in a cosv 
 corner ot an inn. She will not dare deny 
 my bid to supper, with all her impudence 
 Unpet,t souperr He broke into a laugh.' 
 Tis well Old Rowiey was too en- 
 [ 7' 1 
 
gaged to imijr7w^i;^ri^^:i, v r— 
 
 tiioiigiu. " H,\ m\ ^ ^^^^y ^ eyes," he 
 
 the wench at^^^^^'T ■^'^^' "^■^'■^ '"'^et 
 help it." ' '""^ 'e"gth, an ] can 
 
 He observed or rafh^r k 
 for the first time th .t .h '"""" '^="-e 
 
 occupant ofthe room '"" ^"''^'^- 
 
 forn, Mistress N 1 B;,ki'"r""-"' "'"- 
 ing." ' ^"'•'^'ngham is wait- 
 
 Strings looked up. He seemeH . u 
 grown a foot m "^ ^"^emed to have 
 
 sudden wealth "^„r''"'^''^''°" °^ ^.s 
 
 tatter onSackseeSt'^'P"''^"'- 
 an independent air ' ''aveassumed 
 
 -^'&:;-^;tel;^r^-^= 
 
 the dress oi Buck^nth r ""^ '^'^^'"e 
 
 Buckingham ga^ed '^ K' • 
 'shment, foll„vveH K '" '" aston- 
 
 [ 7J ] 
 
Bucicngham could well observe ft 
 . "'^ Jordship started. "Thp K-Jn^- 
 
 thed.pIomat in h.s nature restrained him. 
 
 A fine stone!" he said merely. "How 
 
 came you by it?" ^ ^ 
 
 "Nell gave it to me," Strings answered 
 
 Buckmgham nearly revealed himself in 
 
 h.s astomshment. <'I^ell!" he mu^S ed 
 
 ff h.-^lf" ^^r ""'^'^ -' ^^ wondered 
 «Damm;^.T^ l^^ out-generalled him 
 Uamme he observed aloud, inspeftin? 
 
 thenng^closely.«Ihavetake;a£?;tf 
 ".f ° ^3ve I," ejaculated Strings as h^ 
 
 " I ;il give you fifty guineas for it " said 
 
 Sfr;„ ^^^^^ 3 good bargain is wont. 
 
 Stnngs stood nonplussed. " Fifty guin: 
 eas! he excla.med, aghast. This was 
 more money than the fiddler had el 
 
 £n|ir"'^-''^-^"^-^^-d,w:;: 
 
Now, replied his lordship, who pro- 
 ceeded at once to produce the glittering' 
 coins and toss them temptingly before the 
 nddler s eyes. 
 
 "Oons, Nell surely meant me to sell 
 
 "'j cf'i!^'^ ^^ ^*^ ^*g"'y ^<=i=^<='l t'i<= gold 
 and ted his eyes upon it. "Odsbud, I al- 
 ways did love yellow." He tossed some of 
 the coins in the air and caught them with 
 tnc dexterity of a juggler. 
 
 Buckingham grew impatient. He de- 
 sired a delivery. "Give mc the ring," he 
 demanded . ° 
 
 Strings looked once more at the "litter- 
 ing gold; and visins of the plenty'Which 
 it insured to his little home, to say nothing 
 of a flagon or twc- of good brown ale which 
 could be had by himself and his boon com- 
 rades without disparagement to the din- 
 ners of the little ones, came before him If 
 he had ever possessed moral courage it 
 was gone upon the insra.it. "Done '"'he 
 exclaimed. " Oons, f ;,y guineas! " and he 
 handed the ring to Buckingham. 
 
 The fiddler was still absorbed in his 
 possessions, whispering again and again 
 [ 74 J 
 
to the round~bkr^'^~" M7ri^e 
 hnght-eycs will not go to bed hungry 
 
 proudly from h,s t.rmg-room, dressed to 
 leave the theatre. 
 
 liuckingharn no-ided significantly. 
 Not a word of this," he said, indi- 
 cating the ruig, which he had quickly 
 transferred to his own finger, turning the 
 jewel so that .t could not be observed. 
 Sdeath you still here?" said Hart 
 sharply, as his eyes fell upon the fiddler' 
 ^tnngs straightened up and puffed 
 with the pomposity and pride of a landed 
 proprietor. He shook his newly acquired 
 possessions until the clinking of the eold 
 was plainly audible to the mai.iger 
 
 "Still here. Master Hart, negotiating. 
 
 When you are pressed for coin, call on 
 
 me. Master Hart. I run the Exchequer " 
 
 he said patronizingly. It was humorous 
 
 to see his air ot sweeping condescension 
 
 toward the tall and dignified manager of 
 
 rhead^''"'^ ^'^o easily overtopped him by 
 
 "Gold!" exclaimed Hart, as he ob- 
 
 [ 75 ] 
 
MlCHOCOfy RESOIUTION TEST CHAUT 
 
 (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 
 
 fIB Ilia 
 
 2.2 
 
 _^ y^PPUBd IIVMGE 
 
 ^— ^ 165J East Main Strset 
 
 S'-S Rc-thester. Mem York 1*609 US, 
 
 ■— ("^'6) 482 - 0300 - Phone 
 
 ^= (:'I6) 288 - 59B9 - Ca. 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 served the glitter of the guineas in thecin- 
 dle-light. His eyes turned quickly and sus- 
 piciously upon the lordly Buckingham. 
 
 There was nothing, however, in his 
 lordship's face to indicate that he was 
 aware even of the existence of the fiddler 
 or of his gold. He sat by the table, leaning 
 carelessly upon it, his face filled with an 
 expression of supreme satisfaftion. He had 
 the attitude of one who was waiting for 
 somebody or something and confidently 
 expedled not to be disappointed. 
 
 "Sup with me. Hart," continued 
 Strings, with the air of a boon com- 
 rade. "Sup with me— venison, capons, 
 and — Epsom water." 
 
 " Thank you, I am engaged to supper," 
 replied Hart, contemptuously, brushing 
 his cloak where it had been touched by 
 the fiddler, as if his fingers had contami- 
 nated it. 
 
 The insult clearly observable in the 
 manager's tone, however, had no efFeft 
 whateverupon Strings. Hetossed his head 
 proudlyand said indifferently: "Oh, very 
 well. Strings will sup with Strings. My 
 
 [ 76] 
 
JJ^_^^^^jJa!l^LfJ^''^ry Time 
 
 coach, mT^^^^dU^^Ti^Tj^^T^T— 
 
 bonnie babes!" ^ 
 
 . He pushed open the door with a lordly 
 
 a.r and passed out; and, for some seconds' 
 
 t^^'T^^ '"'"gl"'g of repeated de- 
 mands for the coach and a strain of music 
 which sounded like "Away dull care • 
 prythee a\. -ly from me." 
 
 Buckingham had observed the fiddler's 
 tilt with the manager and the royal exit 
 of the ragged fellow with much amuse- 
 ment. A merry wag! Who is that? " he 
 asked, as Stnngs's voice grew faint in the 
 entry-way. 
 
 Hart was strutting aftor-fashion before 
 the mirror, arranging his curls to hang 
 gracefully over his forehead and tilting 
 now and again the big plumed hat. "A 
 knave of fortune, it seems," he answered 
 coolly and still suspiciously 
 
 ferlmK'^^' " ^'^'^ ^"^kingham, indif- 
 
 " Twins I warrant," replied Hart, in 
 an irritated tone. 
 
 Buckingham chuckled softly 
 "No wonder he's tattered and gray," 
 [ 77 ] 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 he declared, humorously philosophizing 
 upon Hart's reply, though it was evident 
 that Hart himself was too much chafed 
 by the presence of his lordship in the 
 greenroom after the play to know what 
 he really had said. 
 
 An ominous coolness now pervaded 
 the atmosphere. Buckingham sat by the 
 table, impatiently tapping the floor with 
 his boot, his eyes growing dark at the 
 delay. Hart still plumed himself before 
 the mirror. His dress was rich; his sword 
 was well balanced, a Damascus blade; his 
 cloak hung gracefully; his big black hat 
 and plumes were jaunty. He had, too, 
 vigour in his step. With it all, however, 
 he was a social outcast, and he felt it, 
 while his companion, whose faults of na- 
 ture were none the less glaring than his 
 own, was almost the equal of a king. 
 
 There was a tap at Nell's door. It was 
 the call-boy, who had slipped unobserved 
 into the room. 
 
 "What is it, Dick?" asked Nell, 
 sweetly, as she opened the door slightly 
 to inspefl: her visitor. 
 
 [78 ] 
 
A Merry Tate of a Merry Time 
 
 " A message, — very important," vvhis- 
 pered Dick, softly, as he passed a note 
 within. 
 
 "Thank you," replied the adress; and 
 t.ie door closed again. 
 
 Dick was about to depart, when the 
 alert Buckingham, rising hastily from his 
 seat, called him. 
 
 "That was Nell's voice.?" he asked. 
 "Yes, my lord. She's dressing," an- 
 swered Dick. "Good night. Master 
 Hart," he added, as he saw the man- 
 ager. 
 
 Hart, however, was not in a good hu- 
 mour and turned sharply upon him. Dick 
 vanished. 
 
 " She will be out shortly, my lord," the 
 manager observed to Buckingham, some- 
 what coldly. "But it will do you little 
 good," he though % as he reflected upon 
 his conversation with Nell. 
 
 Buckingham leaned lazily over the 
 back of a chair and replied confidently, 
 knowing that his speech would be no 
 balm to the irate manager: "Nell always 
 keeps her engagements religiously with 
 [79 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 me. We are to supl^^^^d^^rT;;—^;^ 
 
 "Odso!" retorted the other, drawitur 
 himself up to his full height. "You will 
 be disappointed, methinks." 
 
 "I tro-.v not," Buckingham observed, 
 with a smile which made Hart wince, 
 lepyss wife has him mewed up at 
 home when Nelly plays, and the King 
 IS tied to other apron-strings." \\\% lord- 
 ship chuckled as he bethought him how 
 cleverly he had managed that his Majesty 
 be under the proper influence. "What 
 danger else.?" he inquired, cuttingly. 
 
 Though the words were mild, the feel- 
 ings of the two men were at white-heat. 
 Your lordship's hours are too valu- 
 able to waste," politely suggested the 
 manager. "I happen to know Mistress 
 <^wyn sups with another to-night " 
 "Another.?" sneered his lordship 
 ;^ Another !" hotly repeated the ador. 
 We shall see, friend Hart," said 
 Buck.nghanri, in a tone no less agreeable, 
 with difficulty restraining his fef-l.ngs 
 He threw himself impatiently into a 
 [ 80] 
 
'l^^'J^ '^"/'' "f " Mrrry Time 
 
 big arm-chair, whicTriie l.aTTwilnf; 
 around angrily, so that its hack was to 
 the manager. 
 
 The insult was more than ilart could 
 bear. Healso seized achair,and vented his 
 vengeance upon it. Almost hurled from 
 Its place, it fell back to back with Buck- 
 ingham's. 
 
 "We shall see, my lord," he said as he 
 likewise angrily took his seat and folded 
 his arms. 
 
 It was like "The Schism" of Vibert 
 It IS difficult to tell what would have 
 been the result, had the place been dif- 
 ferent. Each knew that Nell was just be- 
 yond her door; each hesitated; and each 
 with bitterness in his heart, held on to 
 himself They sat like sphinxes. 
 
 Suddenly, Nell's door slightly opened, 
 bhe was dressed to leave the theatre. In 
 her hand she held a note. 
 
 "A fair message, on my honour ' Worth 
 reading twice or even thrice," she rogu- 
 ishly exclaimed unto her maid as she 
 direfted her to hold a candle nearer 
 that she might once again spell out its 
 [ 8r ] 
 
Mislirss i\',-// 
 
 wdiils. '"'I'd luii^laiid's idol, the divine 
 IvIcMiior Cvvyii.' A li,.ly apt lK-j;iiiiiiiij,', 
 l>y the mass! 'My coach awaits you at 
 the stat,'e-d()or. VVc will toast you to- 
 night at Whiteliail."" 
 
 Nell's eyes seemed to drink in the 
 words, and it was her heart whicii said: 
 " Lony; live his Majesty." 
 
 She took the King's roses in her arms; 
 the Duke's nises, she tossed upon the Hoor. 
 
 The manager awoke as from a trance. 
 "You will not believe me," he said to 
 Buckingham, confidently. "Here comes 
 the arbiter of your woes, my lord." He 
 arose ijuickly. 
 
 "It will not be hard, methinks, sir, to 
 decide between a coronet and a player's 
 tinsel crown," observed his princely rival, 
 with a sneer, as he too arose anti assumed 
 an attitude of waiting. 
 
 " Haveacare,mylord. Imayforget — " 
 Hart's ringers jilayed upon his sword-hilt. 
 
 " Your occupation, sir.? " jeered Buck- 
 ingliam. 
 
 ".Aye; my former occupation of a sol- 
 dier"; and flart's sword sprang from its 
 [ 82 ] 
 
A Merry 'Talc nf <i Mrrry Turn- 
 
 si'ahhiird, with a dcxtciity that jtrnviii 
 that he liad not torguttcn tlic trick (iFwar. 
 
 Huckiiighain too woiihl have drawn, 
 hut a merry voice stayed hini. 
 
 " Hovv- now, gentlemen?" sprang; trotii 
 Nell's rosy lips, as she came hetween 
 tliem, a [lic'ture ol 'oguish heaiity. 
 
 Hart's pose in an instant was tliat of 
 apology. "Pardon, Nell," he exclaimed, 
 lifting his hat and bowing in courtly 
 fashion. "A small d!irerence of opinion; 
 naught else." 
 
 "Between friends," replietl Nell, re- 
 provingly. 
 
 " By the Gods," cried Buckingham, — 
 and his hat too was in the air and his 
 knee too was bent l)efore the theatre- 
 queen, — "the rewards are worth more 
 than word-combats." 
 
 " Pshaw ! " said Nell, as she hugged the 
 King's roses tighter in her arms. "True 
 Englishmen fight shoulder to shoulder, 
 not face to face." 
 
 "In this case," replied his lordship, 
 with the air of a conqueror, "the booty 
 cannot be amicably distributed." 
 
 [ 83 ] 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 " Oh ho! "cTi^d Ndf- Hra7eg,-:;:^,- 
 quarrclhng over the spoils. Pooh ' There 
 
 IS no g,rl worth fighting for-that is, not 
 over one ! B uck.nghani ! Jack ! For shame ' 
 
 »i^u''T-^"' kindles this hot blood?" 
 The fairest maid in Kngland," said 
 Hart, with all the earnestness of convic- 
 tion, and with all the courtesy of the 
 theatre, which teaches courtesy 
 
 "The dearest girl in all this world," 
 said Buckingham as quickly; for he too 
 must bow if he would win 
 
 " How stupid !" lisped Neil, with a look 
 ot baby-innocence. "You must mean me! 
 Who else could answer the description? 
 A quarrel over poor me! This is delicious'. 
 1 Ipve a fight. Out with your swords and 
 to t like men! To the viftor! Come 
 name the quarrel." ' 
 
 "Th^ player-" began his lordship, 
 hotly. He caught the quick gleam in 
 xMells eyes and hesitated. "I mean " he 
 substituted, apologetically, " Mai .er Hart 
 
 — labours under the misapprehension that 
 you sup with him to-night." 
 
 "Nell," asserted the manager, defen- 
 [ ^4] 
 
A Merry -Tulc of a Merry Titre 
 
 sively, "it is his lordship who suffers 
 from the delusion that the first ai^tress 
 ot England sups with him to-night." 
 
 "My arm and coach are yours, ma- 
 dame," pleaded his lordship, as he gal- 
 lantly offered an arm. 
 
 " Pardon, my lord ; Nell, my arm ! " said 
 Hart. 
 
 " Heyday ! " cried the witch, bewitch- 
 ingly. ^' Was ever maid so nobly squired? 
 This is an embarrassment of" riches." 
 She looked longingly at the two attend- 
 ing gallants. Tiiere was something in her 
 voice that might be mockery or that 
 might be love. Only the devil in her 
 eyes could tell. 
 
 "Gentlemen, you tear my heart- 
 strings," she continued. "How can I 
 choose between such loves? To-n-j '-f I 
 sup at Whitehall ! " and she darted quickly 
 toward the door. 
 
 "Whitehall!" the rivals cried, aghast. 
 
 "Aye, Whitehall _w>// ///t- King!" 
 
 There was a wild, hilarious laugh, and 
 she was gone. 
 
 Buckingham and Ha.t stood lookine 
 [85] 
 
Mistress Ne/i 
 
 into each other's flicc. They heard the 
 sound ot coach-wheels rapidly departinir 
 in the street. ** 
 
<^ 
 
 C 11 A 1* r K \< V 
 
 II WHS nruer itfiiMjn In tiecii a King's kiss 
 
 J\ YEAR and more had flown. 
 
 It was one of those glorious moon-lit 
 nights in the early fall when there is a 
 crispness in the air which lends an edge 
 to life. 
 
 St. James's Park was particularly beau- 
 tiful. The giant oaks with their hundreds 
 ot years of story written in their rings 
 lifted high their spreading branches, laden 
 with leaves, which shimmered in the 
 light. The historic old park seemed to be 
 made up of patches of day and night. In 
 the open, one might read in the mellow 
 glow of the harvest-moon; in the shade of 
 one of its oaks, a thief might safely hide. 
 
 Facing on the park, there stood a house 
 of Elizabethan architecture. .Along its 
 wrinkled, ivy-mantled wall ran a terrace- 
 like balustrade, where one might walk and 
 enjoy the night without fear. 
 
 r 87 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 The house was well defined by the rays 
 of the moon, v/hich seemed to dance upon 
 it in a halo of mirth; and from the park, 
 below the terrace, came the soft notes of 
 a violin, tenderly picked. 
 
 None other than Strings was sitting 
 astride of a low branch of an oak, look- 
 ing up at a window, hke some guardian 
 spirit from the devil-land, singing in his 
 quaintly unctuous way: 
 
 " Four and twenty fiddlers all in c row. 
 And there was fiddle-fiddle, and twice fiddle- 
 fiddle." 
 
 " How 's that for a serenade to Mistress 
 Nell?" he asked himself as he secured a 
 firm footing on the ground and slung his 
 fiddle over his back. " She don't know it 's 
 for her, but the old viol and old Strings 
 ktiow." He came to a stand-still and 
 winced. "Oons, my old wound again," 
 he said, with a sharp cry, followed as 
 quickly by a laugh. His eyes still wan- 
 dered along the balustrade, as eagerly as 
 some young Romeo at the balcony of his 
 Juliet. " I wish she 'd walk her terrace to- 
 [ 88 ] 
 
A Merry Tak of a Merry Time 
 
 night," he sighed, " whli7^\^^'^^;nrsle 
 
 her— the lovely lady!" 
 
 His rhapsody was suddenly broken in 
 
 upon by the approach of some one down 
 
 the path. He glided into the shadow of 
 an oak and none too quickly. 
 
 From the obscurity of the trees, into 
 the pen, a chair was swiftly borne, by 
 the side of which ran a pretty page of 
 tender years, yet well schooled in courtly 
 wisdom. The lovely occupant leaned for- 
 ward and motioned to the chairmen, who 
 obediently rested and assisted her toalight. 
 "Retire beneath the shadow of the 
 trees," she whispered. "Have a care; no 
 noise." 
 
 The chairmen withdrew quietly, but 
 within convenient distance, to await her 
 bidding. 
 
 Strings's heart quite stopped beating. 
 "The Duchess of Portsmouth at Mistress 
 Nell's!" he said, almost aloud in his ex- 
 citenient. "Then the devil must be to 
 pay ! " and he slipped well behind the oak- 
 trunk again. 
 
 Portsmouth 'seyes snapped withFrench 
 r 8n 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 fire as she glanced up at Nell's terrace. 
 Then she turned to the page by her side. 
 "His Majesty came this path before?" 
 she asked, with quick, French accent. 
 " Yes, your grace," replied the page. 
 "And up this trellis?" 
 "Yes, your grace." 
 "Again to-night?" 
 "I cannot tell, your grace," replied 
 the lad. "I followed as you bade me; but 
 the King's legs were so long, you see, I 
 lost him." 
 
 Portsmouth smiled. "Softly, pretty 
 
 one," she said. " Watch if he comes and 
 
 warn me; for we may have passed him." 
 
 The lad ran gaily down the path to 
 
 perform her bidding. 
 
 " State-business! " she muttered, as she 
 reflected bitterly upon the King's late 
 excuses to her. '' Mon Dieu, does he think 
 me a country wench? I was schooled at 
 Louis's court." Her eyes searched the 
 house from various points of advantage. 
 "A light!" she exclaimed, as a candle 
 burned brightly from a window, like a 
 spark of gold set in the silver of the night 
 [ 90] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry rime 
 
 "Would I had an invisible cloak." She 
 tiptoed about a corner of the wall — 
 woman-like to see if she could see, not 
 Nell, but Charles. 
 
 Scarcely had she disappeared when a 
 second figure started up in the moonlight, 
 and a gallant figure, too. It was the Duke 
 of Buckingham. "Not a mouse stirring," 
 
 he reflefted, glancing at the terrace. "Fair 
 mmx, you will not long refuse Buckine- 
 ham s overtures. Come, Nelly, thy King 
 IS already half stolen away by Portsmouth 
 of France, and Portsmouth of France is 
 our dear ally in the great cause and shall 
 be more so. 
 
 To his astonishment, as he drew nearer 
 he observed a lady, richly dressed, gliding 
 
 u^!". ^™'^^^ ^"'l 'he terrace. He 
 rubbed h.s eyes to see that he was not 
 dreammg. She was there, however, and 
 a pretty armful, too. 
 
 "Nell," he chuckled, as he stole up 
 behmd her. ^ 
 
 Portsmouth meanwhile had learned 
 that the wmdow was too high to allow 
 her to gam a view within the dwelling. 
 L yi j 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 She started— observing, more by intui- 
 tion than by sight, that she was watched 
 — and drew her veil closely about her 
 handsome features. 
 
 "Nelly, Nelly," laughed Buckingham, 
 "I have thee, wench. Come, a kiss! — a 
 kiss! Nay, love; it was never treason to 
 steal a King's kisses." 
 
 He seized her by the arm and was about 
 to kiss her when she turned and threw 
 back her veil. 
 
 "Buckingham!" she said, suavely. 
 
 "Portsmouth!" he exclaimed, awe- 
 struck. 
 
 He gathered himself together, how- 
 ever, in an instant, and added, as if noth- 
 ing in the world had happened: "An 
 unexpefted pleasure, your grace." 
 
 "Yes," said she, with a pretty shrug. 
 "I did not know I was so honoured, my 
 lord." 
 
 "Or you would not have refused the 
 little kiss.? " he asked, suggestively. 
 
 "You called me 'Nelly,' my lord. I 
 do not respond to that name." 
 
 " Damme, i was never good at names 
 [ 92 1 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 Louise," said he, with mocl^^^i^d^r7 
 "especially by moonlight." 
 
 "Buz, buz!" she answered, with a 
 knowing gesture and a knowing look. 
 Then, pointing toward the terrace she 
 added: "A pretty nest! A pretty 'bird 
 within, I warrant. Her name.?" 
 
 " Ignorance well feigned," he thought 
 He replied, however, most graciously : 
 "NellGwyn." ^ 
 
 "Oh, ho! The King's favourite, who 
 has more power, they say, than great 
 statesmen — liiie my lord." 
 
 Her speech was well defined to draw 
 out his lordship; but he was wary. 
 
 " Unless my lord is guided by my lady 
 as formerly," he replied, diplomatically.' 
 A look of suspicion crept into Ports- 
 mouth's face: but it was not visible for 
 want of contrast; for all things have a per- 
 verted look by the light of the moon. 
 
 She had known Buckingham well at 
 Dover. Their interests there had been 
 one in securing privileges from England 
 for her French King. Both had been well 
 rewarded too for their pains. There were 
 L 93 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 no proofs, however,of this; and where his 
 lordship stood to-day, and which cause 
 he would espouse, she did not know. His 
 eyes at Dover had fallen fondly upon her 
 but men's eyes fall fondly upon many wo- 
 men and she would not trust too much 
 until she knew more. 
 
 "My chairmen have set me down at 
 the wrong door-step," she said, most 
 sweetly "My lord longs for his kiss. Au 
 revotr! 
 
 She bowed and turned to depart 
 Buckmgham was alert in an instant. 
 He knew not when the opportunity 
 might come again to deal so happily 
 with Louis s emissary and the place and 
 time of meeting had its advantages. 
 
 "Prythee stay. Duchess. I left the 
 merry hunters, returning from Houns- 
 ow Heath, all in Portsmouth's interest " 
 he said. " Is this to be my thanks.? " 
 
 She approached him earnestly "Mv 
 lord must explain. I am stupid in fitting 
 English fads to English words." 
 
 "Have you forgotten Dover?" he 
 asked, intensely, but subdued in voice 
 [ 94 ] 
 
AMerry Tale of a Merry rime 
 
 ^\t^^^^^-'-^he Duchess of oS 
 — the Grand Monarch?" 
 
 "Hush!" exclaimed Portsmouth 
 clutching h.s arm and looking cau- 
 tiously about. ° 
 
 "If my services to you there were 
 known, he contmued, excitedly, "and to 
 
 he great cause-the first step' in mak- 
 ing England pensioner of France and 
 Holland the vassal of Louis_my head 
 wou^^j^ythepenalty.Canyouno'ttri^ 
 
 "You are on strange ground to-night " 
 suggested Portsmouth, tossing her head 
 ■mpatiently to indicate the terrace, as she 
 tned to fathom the real man 
 
 wavVn'!^"^^' '^^ ^'"^' '"'■g'^^ P^^« this 
 way and came to see," hastily explained 
 his lordsh.p, observing that she was re- 
 fleamgupontheincongruityofhisfriend- 
 Swyn°' ' ' ^'' ""'''' '° ^^^^"'^ 
 
 noi'.'^"'^ '^^u '^'^- " '^^ ^'^^^^ dubiously, 
 not seemg the connection. ^ 
 
 "I have a plan to make his visits less 
 r _ , T 
 
 L y5 J 
 
^ M/sftrss Nr// ~ 
 
 ■'■I'c .mn was iKroniing master. l\, 
 ;;;";j;>--l 1--, an., she was .,.,i„„„., 
 
 nZh^^r ''"■ ?"'' '" ^' ^^'='V wl.icl. 
 ;;;;, ''■'•" ''^'^■"■"S' ^-nl intculy listening 
 
 "I have," she rephed as quickly an.) 
 ;heglonedi„the{houghtLtsly„\e 
 Icast^were as tauhful as Louis', court af- 
 
 . "They must watch Nell's terrace here 
 n.gluandciay''healnuMco„.„ande.'' 
 
 n nd,K.,KH.rShe„uyf-orgetherr!;yal 
 over. and_well-_we shall have wit- 
 nesses ,n wau.ng ^Ve owe this kindness 
 — to Ills JVLijesty. 
 
 . ''""■^■"'H.th shrugged her shoulders 
 .mrat.ently."M..; />;.,,/'- she said."My 
 servants have watched, my lord, already. 
 Th. despatches would have been signed 
 [96] 
 
■m.l Louis's army „n the ,narch against 
 il'c Dutch but for this vulgar player-girl 
 whom I have never seen. The Kin.' for- 
 gets all else." '' 
 'f'he beautiful Duchess was muued, i.i- 
 
 clml, that the Knglish King shoul.ibe so 
 swayed. She felt that it was a personal dis- 
 grace—an insidt to her t barms and to ber 
 culture. She felt that the court knew it 
 and laughed, and she feared that Louis 
 soon would know. Nell (;wyn! ilow she 
 bated her_scarce less than she loved 
 Louis and her France. 
 
 "Be ofg,K)d cheer," suggested Huck- 
 [ngham, soothingly ; and be balfe.nbraced 
 her. " My messenger shall await y(;ur si"- 
 nal, to carry the news to Louis and h.s 
 army. 
 
 "There is no news," replied she, and 
 turned upon him bitterly. "Charlesevades 
 me. Promise after promise to sup with 
 me broken. 1 expected him to-night My 
 spies warned me he would not come; that 
 he IS hereabouts again. I followed m'yself 
 to see. I have the papers with me always 
 It 1 can but see the King alone, it will 
 
 r 07 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 nor take long t„ dethrone this up-sta« 
 <""cn; w.nc sweet words- Kn. land's 
 
 I'herc was a confident smile on her l.ps 
 
 whtl,TTl"r'"''^-'-''--naip:/r 
 which had led Lo„is XIV on-rinrr. 
 
 -trust a great mission to hin "u J' 
 
 cned'^"C\"'-'^'-'">'^ f^'-'^P^^^J'" ^he 
 t-nea B„t Louis is impatient to strike 
 ^he blow for Empire inhampered by 
 Bnt.h^ympathy for the Dutch, and th^ 
 
 "A fortnight ofF," interrupted Buck- 
 ingham, with a smile 
 
 niJht-'^sir/"'''''"^'."'^""'^ ^'^g""- to- 
 nr^ I fe continued, irritably. She ao 
 
 from rh ^°"^'-^'"^s "Pon me to win 
 from Charles his consent to the w,>h 
 
 Jand. This will msure the fall of Luxem- 
 [ 98 J 
 
A M erry T 'lk of a Merry Time 
 
 boiirg — the key to oiir sutccssrYoii~sl?c" 
 Huckrngham, I m..:,t not fail. Ivn.rland's 
 (lehasemeiit shall he won." 
 
 There was a whistle down the path. 
 
 "Some one comes!" she exclaimed. 
 "My chair!" 
 
 The page, who had given the sii'/ial 
 came running to her. Her chairmen too' 
 were prompt. 
 
 "Join me," she whispered to Bucking- 
 ham, as he assisted her to her seat within. 
 "Later, Louise, later," he replied "I 
 must hack to the neighbouring inn, before 
 the huntsmen miss me." 
 
 Portsmouth waved to the chairmen, 
 who moved silently away among the' 
 trees. 
 
 Buckingham stood looking after them 
 laughing. ' 
 
 "King Charles, a French girl from 
 Louis's court will give me the keys to 
 England's heart and her best honours," he 
 muttered. 
 
 He glanced once again quickly at the 
 windows of the house, and then, with 
 altered purpose, swaggered away down a 
 r 00 1 
 
Mistress Nr// 
 
 side p;u.h^^^v^vvcl^,,lc^.7oi ^[jn;,-; 
 
 f'-'UKl'ts, well pleased wid, l„s chance 
 
 well plcMseci with I.Mnself. I lis |,rai„ wove 
 
 j'-ui wove moonbeam webs of intri.ue as 
 
 Ik- passed through the light and sltuiow 
 
 he night wherein he would lend a 
 
 iH-p.ng hand to France and secure gold 
 and power for his pains. I le had no qualms 
 J'f conscience; for must not his estates be 
 Kept, hisd.gnitymaintamed? His purpose 
 wascear^I,c.„uKibnngPortL!uth 
 and the k,ng Closer together: and what 
 fof'FnJ;'^'',^'r""'''''^'^''"-^"'^''here- 
 Z; ^'"^'^"''•/"^ ^''^ ""t he himself a 
 pai t of England, and a great part? 
 1 hen too he must and would have Nell. 
 
C H A 1' r E R VI 
 
 Safily on tiptor; 
 Utr, Nill doth lie. 
 
 /vS often happens in life, when one 
 suitor ueparts, another suitor knocks; 
 and so it happened on this glorious night. 
 The belated suitor was none other than 
 Charles, the Stuart Kini^. He seemed in 
 the moonlight the pidture of royalty, of 
 romance, of dignity, of carelessness, of in- 
 difference — the royal vagabond of wit, 
 of humour and of love. A well-thumbed 
 "Hudibras" bulged from his pocket. He 
 was alone, save for some pretty spaniels 
 that played about him. He heeded them 
 not. His thoughts were of Nell. 
 
 " Methought I heard voices tuned to 
 love," he mused, as he glinced about. 
 " Wiiat knave has spied out the secret 
 of her bower.? Ho, R,)samond, my Rosa- 
 mond! Why came I here again to-night.? 
 What is there in this girl, this Nellf And 
 
cottage where we resffn H K^^ '^^ 
 really to love_T q'f '^^ ,"^"^ ^ ^^ved 
 
 enteL„^enro/'thT"\fS^ ^^ ''' 
 
 keart-siri„»stornhv,k' '~^ ""« "y 
 
 His refleaSSs ™S""l'Pl«yer? ' 
 
 Jand. "Odds m..rr\ ^ ^^ '" ^ fairv- 
 as well th?i JhT/'f ' "r °"" ^- -e 
 and frolics jj^\t Tv'' '^^^'^"^^^ 
 evening hyNdl\°.7 "^^' ''"^^^er 
 
 enn-ancedbythehunS^Lt"^"^^"'^ 
 
 King:iK„s;^~^^ 
 
 in an angle of the ^v.li ^ '"'' ^^^e trelljs, 
 
 -"ggrfwricheT,s'"e1o7'^^^ 
 "'ght, but it struck ! H;? i^-°"' "= f'^'^ 
 
 Hewasthink,n7o/aprof"^ 
 "Ceasp fk ^ .. f^^"^ °' eyes. 
 
 ^«se those discordant janVs," be 
 
 L 102 J 
 
A Merry rale of a M erry rime 
 
 exclaimed impatiently to himself; "cease 
 1 say! No song except for Nell! Nell' 
 Pour forth your sweetest melody for 
 
 The hunters stopped as by intuition 
 before the terrace. A goodly company 
 they were, indeed; there were James and 
 Rochester and others of the court re- 
 turning from the day's hunt. There was 
 Buckingham too, who had reioined 
 them as they left the inn. The music 
 died away. 
 
 "Whose voice was that.? " asked James 
 as he caught the sound of the King's 
 impatient exclamation from the corner 
 of the wall. 
 
 "Some dreamer of the night," laughed 
 Buckingham. "Yon love-sick fellowfme- 
 thinks, he continued, pointing to a fig- 
 ure, well aloof beneath the trees, who 
 was watching the scene most jealously 
 It was none other than Hart, who rarely 
 failed to have an eye on Nell's terrace and 
 who instantly stole away in the darkness, 
 ihis IS the home of Eleanor Gwyn 
 we are passing," said Rochester, supcrflu- 
 [ 103 ] 
 
Mistress Ne/I 
 
 ously; forinrknTvTfi.irwdiih^riT^.;^ 
 
 ■Nelly s terrace. 
 
 Duke of York, qu.te forgetting his frigid 
 
 seU as he bethought h.-m of Nell, and t 
 coming quite lovcr-l.ke, as he, sighing 
 
 N.li .' ^""f ^'" '" '"^^l^^ peace w,th 
 Nelly. Sing, hunters, sing!" 
 
 The command was quickly obeyed and 
 the voices well attuned; for none were 
 there but worshipped Nelly. 
 
 Hail to the moonbeams' 
 
 Ci-ystal spray, 
 Nestling in Heaven 
 
 All the day, 
 F-Hing by night-time. 
 
 Silvery showers. 
 Twining -with love-rhyme 
 
 Nell's fair bowers. 
 
 Sing, hunters, sing. 
 
 Gently carolling. 
 Here lies our hart — 
 
 Sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. 
 
 Hail to the King's oaks. 
 Sentries blest, 
 [ 104 ] 
 
^ MiTry Talc of a Merry Time 
 
 Spreading their branches, 
 
 Ciuarding her rest, 
 'telling the ireezes. 
 
 Hastening by : 
 "Softly on I 'toe; 
 
 Here Nell doth lie." 
 
 Sing, hunters, sing. 
 
 Gently carolling. 
 Here lies our hart — • 
 
 Sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. 
 
 The King heard the serenade to the 
 end, then stepped gaily from his hiding- 
 place. ° 
 
 "Brother James under Nelly's win- 
 dow!" he said, with a merry laugh. 
 
 "Tne King!" exclaimed James, in 
 startled accents, as he realized the pres- 
 ence of his Majesty and the awkward po- 
 sition in which he and his followers were 
 placed. 
 
 "The King!" repeated the courtiers. 
 Hats were off and knees were bent re- 
 spedtfully. 
 
 "Brother," saluted Charles, as he em- 
 braced the Duke of York good-naturedly 
 [ '05 ] 
 
Mistress Nc/l 
 
 Buckingham withdrew a few steps. He 
 was the most disturbed at t]ie [ireseiice of 
 the King at Nelly's bower. "As I feared," 
 lie thought. "Devil take his Majesty's 
 meandering heart." 
 
 "Odstish," laughed Charles, "we 
 must guard our Nelly, or James and his 
 saintly followers will rob her bower by 
 moonlight." 
 
 The Duke of York assumed a devout 
 and dignified mien. "Sire," he attempted 
 to explain, but was interrupted quickly 
 by his Majesty. 
 
 "No apologies, pious brother. God 
 never damned a man for a little irregu- 
 lar pleasure." 
 
 There was a tittering among the court- 
 iers as the King's words fell upon their 
 ears. 
 
 James continued to apologize. "In 
 faith, we were simply passing — " he said. 
 
 Again he was interrupted by his Maj- 
 esty, who was in the best of humour and 
 much pleased at the discomfiture of his 
 over-religious brother. 
 
 "Lorenzo too was simply passing," 
 [ io6 ] 
 
^ Merry J'u/c of a Merry Time 
 
 lie observed, "burthe'fair "[cssicaTnd 
 some odd ducats stuck to liis girdle- and 
 the Jew will still be tcarin- his liair'louL^ 
 after we are dust. Ah, Huckingham, they 
 
 It ,7".^"" ''"" ''^'^"^ =' *^'^f«-" for '•"«"ish 
 Nelly. Have . care!" 
 
 The King strode across to Buckingham 
 as he spoke; and while there was humour 
 m his tone, there was injunth-Qu also. 
 
 Buckmgham was too great a courtier 
 not to see and feel it. He bowed respedt- 
 tully, replying to his Majesty, "Sire I 
 would not presume to follow the King's 
 eyes, however much I admire their taste " 
 ;"Tis well," replied his Majesty, 
 pomtedly, "lest they lead thee abroad 
 on a sleeveless mission." 
 
 Others had travelled upon such mis- 
 sions; Buckingham knew it well. 
 
 "But what does your Majesty here to- 
 night ,f we dare ask > " questioned James, 
 who hadjust bethought him how to turn 
 the tables upon the King. 
 
 Charles looked at his brother quizzi- 
 cally "Humph! ' he exclaimed, in his 
 peculiar way. " Feeding my ducks in yon- 
 [ 107 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 der pond." His staff swept indefinitely 
 toward the park. 
 
 "Hunting with us were nohler husi- 
 ness. Sire," suggested fames, decisively. 
 
 "Not so," replied the King, quite seri- 
 ously. " My way — I learn to legislate for 
 ducks." 
 
 "'Twerc wiser," preached York, "to 
 study your subjects' needs." 
 
 The King's eyes twinkled. " I go among 
 them," he said, "and learn their needs, 
 while you are praying, brother." 
 
 At this sally, Rochester became con- 
 vulsed, though he hid it well; for Roch- 
 ester was not as pious as brother James. 
 
 York, feeling that the sympathy was 
 against him, grew more earnest still. "I 
 wish your Majesty would have more 
 care," he pleaded. "'Tis a crime against 
 yourself, a crime against the state, a crime 
 against the cavaliers who fought and died 
 tor you, to walk these paths alone in such 
 uncertain times. Perchance, 'tis courting 
 lurking murder!" 
 
 " No kind of danger, James," answered 
 the King, with equal seriousness, laying 
 [ '08 ] 
 
AMcrryralejf- a ~M^^^^i„,, 
 
 a hand kindly.,,, his brother's sh.,uKlcr- 
 
 take awn?'"'''" ;"; '"'""' '■" ''"«'=»"" ^""'d 
 take away my I,fe t„ make you KinL' " 
 
 assembled party; for all dared lauL-h 
 even ..t the expense of the Duke of York 
 
 when thejest was of the King's maki,': 
 Indeed, not to laugh at a king's jest has 
 
 been ,n every age, in or out of siatu 
 he greatest crime. Fortunately, K.ng 
 Charles swit warranted its observation 
 
 James himself grew mellow under the 
 induence of the gaiety, and almost aff-ec- 
 tionatelyrephed, "God grant it be ever 
 ."wf'"'-u"'^''^'^"'"'"^'lfhe thought 
 We heard but now an ambassador from 
 Moroccos court is lately landed He 
 brings your Majesty two lions and thirty 
 ostriches. ■' 
 
 "Odsfish but he is kind," replied the 
 King, refledhng on the gift. "J know of 
 nothing more proper to send by way of 
 return than a flock of geese " 
 
 His brow arched quizzically, as he 
 glanced over the circle of inert courtiers 
 ranged about him. "Methinks lean count 
 [ 109 ] 
 
MIstivss Nf// 
 
 them out at \Vhitcli;tll," he thought. 
 
 "He seeks ail audience to iiiirlu. WJH 
 y<ni grant it. Sire?" hesought fames. 
 
 "'She.irt!" replied the King. "Most 
 cheerfully, I '11 lead you from Nelly's ter- 
 race, hrother. I ley ! rune up your throats. 
 Oil to the palace." 
 
 
 t' 
 
C H A F' I- I.; K VII 
 
 Ctme ilawn ' 
 (^omt up I 
 
 T, 
 
 FIK miisit (]ic(l away atiiong the old 
 "■<ks in the park. Ik-fore its final notes 
 were lost on the air, however, hasty steps 
 and a chatter of women's voices lame 
 from the house. The door leading to the 
 tcrnacc was thrown ,,uickly open, and 
 Nell appeared. Her eyes had the bewil- 
 dered look of one who has been suddenly 
 awakened from a sleep gilded with a de- 
 lightful dream. 
 
 She had, indeed, been dreaming — 
 dreaming of the King and of his coming. 
 As she lay upon her couch, where she had 
 thrown herself after the evening meal, 
 she had seemed to hear his serenade. 
 
 Then the music ceased and she started 
 up and rubbed her eyes, h was only to see 
 the moonlight falling through the lat- 
 ticed windows on to the Hoor of her dainty 
 [ M. ] 
 
Mistress Nc/l 
 
 chamber. She was alone and she bethought 
 herself sadly that dreams go by contraries. 
 Once again, however, the hunters' sung 
 had arisen on her startled ear — and had 
 died away in sweet cadences in the dis- 
 tance. It was not a dream! 
 
 As she rushed out upon the terrace, she 
 called Moll reprovingly; and, in an' in- 
 stant, Moll was at her side. The faithful 
 girl had already seen the hunters and had 
 started a search for Nell; but the revellers 
 had gone before she could find her. 
 
 "What is it, dear Nell.?" asked her 
 companion, well out of breath. 
 
 " Why did you not call me, cruel girl .? " 
 answered ell, impatiently. "To misssee- 
 ing so many handsome cavaliers! Where 
 is my kerchief.?" 
 
 Nell leaned over the balustrade and 
 waved wildly to the departing hunters. 
 A pretty pidture she was too, in her white 
 flowing gown, silvered by the moonlight. 
 " See, see," she exclaimed to Moll, with 
 wild enthusiasm, "some one waves back. 
 It may be he, sweet mouse. Heigh-ho! 
 Why don't you wave, P/Ioll.?" 
 
 [ 112 ] 
 
_ ./ Merry -Talc of a Merry rime 
 
 Before Moll could answer, a richlb^k-I 
 horn rang out across the park. 
 
 "The hunters' horn! "cried Ndl,Klee- 
 fully. "()|,, I wish I were a man -except 
 when one is with me"; and she threw 
 both arms about Moll, for the want of one 
 better to embrace. She was in her varyin.r 
 mood, which was one 'twixt the laughter 
 of the lip and the tear in the eye. 
 
 "I have lost my brother!" ejaculated 
 some one; but she heard him not. 
 
 This laconic speech came from none 
 other than the King, who in a bantering 
 mood had returned. 
 
 _ "I went one side a tree and pious James 
 t other; and here I am by Nelly's ter- 
 race once again," he muttered. "Oh ho' 
 wench!" His eyes had caught sight of 
 Nell upon the terrace. 
 
 He stepped back quickly into the 
 shadow and watched her playfully. 
 
 Nell looked longingly out into the 
 night, and sighed heavily. She was at her 
 w-t's end. The evening was waning, and 
 the Kmg, as she thought, had not come. 
 " Why do you sigh.? ' asked Moll, con- 
 solingly, r 117 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "I was only looking down the path 
 dear heart," replied Nell, sadly. 
 
 " He will come," hopefully suggested 
 Moll, whose little heart sympathized 
 deeply with her benefat^ress. 
 
 " Nay, sweet," said Nell, and she shook 
 her curls while the moonbeams darned 
 among them, " he is as false as yonder 
 moon — as changeable of face." 
 
 She withdrew her eyes from the path 
 and they fell upon the King. His Majesty's 
 curiosity had quite over-mastered him, 
 and he had inadvertently stepped well into 
 the light. The novelty of hearing himself 
 derided by such pretty lips was a delicious 
 experience, indeed. 
 
 " The King ! " she cried, in joyous sur- 
 prise. 
 
 Moll's diplomatic effort toescapeatthe 
 sight of his Majesty was not half quick 
 enough for Nell, who forthwith forced 
 her companion into the house, and closed 
 the door sharply behind her, much to the 
 delight of the humour-loving King. 
 
 Nell then turned to the balustrade and, 
 somewhat confused, looked down at his 
 [ "4 ] 
 
^ Mf ry Tali- of a Merry Time 
 
 Majesty, who iioWlt^idTciowrc^Iy 
 gazing up at her, an amused expression 
 on his face. 
 
 "Pardon,yourMajesty,"sheexplaincd, 
 falteringly, " I did not see you." 
 
 "You overlooked me merely," slyly 
 suggested Charl<.^ swinging his stick in 
 the direction of the departed hunters. 
 
 "I'taith, I thought it was you waved 
 answer, Sire," quickly replied Nell, whose 
 cuuiusion wa» gone and who was now m.:,- 
 tress ofthe situation and of herself. 
 
 "No, Nell; I hunt alone for my hart." 
 "You hunt the right park. Sire." 
 "Yea, a good preserve, truly," ohserved 
 the King. " 1 find my game, as I expedted, 
 ri rtmg, waving kerchiefs, making eyes 
 and throwing kisses to the latest passer- 
 by. 
 
 "I was encoui aging the soldiers, my 
 liege. That is every woman's duty to her 
 country." 
 
 "And her countryw«," said he, smil- 
 ing. "You are very loyal, Nell. Come 
 down!" It was irritating, indeed, to be 
 kept so at arm's length, 
 r lie 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 She gazed down at him with impish 
 sweetness— dowii at the King of Eng- 
 
 " C,>nie up! " she said, leaning over the 
 balustrade. 
 
 "Nay; come down if you love me " 
 pleaded the King. 
 
 "Nay; come up if you love me," said 
 JNell, enticingly. 
 
 "Egad! I am too old to climb " ex- 
 claimed the Merry Monarch. 
 
 "Egad! I am too young yet for the 
 downward path, your Majesty," retorted 
 
 The King shrugged his shoulders in- 
 difterently. 
 
 "You will fall if we give you time " 
 he said. ' ' 
 
 " To the King's level ? " she asked, slyly 
 then answered herself: "Mayhap" 
 
 Thus they stood like knights after the 
 hrst tilt. Charles looked up at x^ell, and 
 Nell looked down at Charles. There was 
 a moment's silence. Nell broke it. 
 
 "I am surprised you happen this way, 
 bire. ■' 
 
 [ ii6 ] 
 
_A^Merry rale of a Merry 
 
 1 itnr 
 
 With such eyes to lure me?" asked 
 the King, and he asked earnestly too. 
 
 "Tush," answered Nell, coyly "your 
 tongue will lead you to perdition. Sire " 
 
 "No fear ! " replied he, dryly. " I knelt 
 in church with brother James but yes- 
 terday." ^ 
 
 "In sooth, quite true!" said Nell ap- 
 provingly, as she leaned back against the 
 door and raised her eyes innocently to- 
 ward the moon. "I sat in the next pew 
 bire, afraid to move for fear I might awake 
 your Majesty." 
 
 The King chuckled softly to himself 
 Nell picked one of the flowers that grew 
 upon the balustrade. 
 
 "Ah, you come a long-forgotten path 
 to-night, ' she said abruptly. 
 
 The King was alert in an instant. He 
 |elt that he had placed himself in a false 
 ight. He loved the witch above despite 
 himself. ^ 
 
 "I saw thee twa evenings ago, lass " 
 he hastily asserted, in good Scotch ac- 
 cents, somewhat impatientlv. 
 
 "And is not that a long' time, Sire " 
 r 117 1 
 
Mistress Ne/I 
 
 did Portsmouth 
 
 questioned Nell, "or 
 make it fly?" 
 
 "Portsmouth!" exclaimed Charles 
 rie turned his face away. "Can it he my 
 
 conscience pricksme?" he thought. "You 
 know more of her than I, .sweet Nell," 
 he thtii asserted, with open manner. 
 
 " Marry, I know her not at all and never 
 saw her," said Nell. "J shall feel better 
 when I do," she thought. 
 
 " It were well for England's peace you 
 have not met," laughed Charles. 
 
 "Faith and troth," said Nell, "I am 
 happy to know our King has lost his 
 heart." 
 
 "Odso! And why.?" asked Charles; 
 and he gazed at Nell in his curious uncer- 
 tain way, as he thought it was never pos- 
 sible to tell quite what she meant or what 
 she next would think or say or do. 
 
 " We feared he had not one to lose " 
 she slyly suggested. "It gives us hope." 
 
 "To have it in another's hand as you 
 allege.?" asked Charles. 
 
 "Marry, truly!" answered Nell, de- 
 cisively. "The Duchess may find it more 
 [ "8 1 
 
A M erry Tale of a Merry Time 
 than she can hold and toss it over." 
 
 "How now, wench!" exclaimed the 
 King, with assumption of wounded dig- 
 nity. " My heart a ball for women to bat 
 about!" 
 
 " Sire, two women often play at rackets 
 even with a king's heart," softlv sug- 
 gested Nell. ' ^ 
 "Odsfish," cried the King, with hands 
 and eyes raised in mock supplication. 
 "Heaven help me then." 
 
 Again the hunters' horn rang clearly 
 on the night. 
 
 " The horn ! The horn ! " said Nell, with 
 forced indifference. " f hey call you. Sire." 
 There was a triumphantly bewitching 
 look in her eyes, however, as she realized 
 the discomfiture of the King. He was 
 annoyed, indeed. His manner plainly 
 betokened his desire to stay and his irri- 
 tation at the interruption. 
 
 "'Tis so!" he said at last, resignedly. 
 "The King is lost." 
 
 The horn sounded clearer. The hunt- 
 ers were returning. 
 
 " Again — nearer I " exclaimed Charles, 
 
 r « 1 
 
Mistress Ne/I 
 
 fretfully. PI,s mind reverted to his pious 
 
 brother; and he laughed as he continued: 
 
 Poor brother James and his ostriches'" 
 
 He could almost touch Nell's finirer- 
 
 tips. o 
 
 "Farewell, sweet," he said; "I must 
 belp them hnd his Majesty or they will 
 
 swarm here like bees. Yet I must see my 
 Nell again to-„,ght. You have bewitched 
 me, wench. Sup with me within the hour 
 
 tie plcl5" '"' ^"" '""• ^^^" y- ^"'l 
 There was mischief in Nell's voice 
 
 as she leaned upon the balustrade. Sh-^ 
 
 dropped a flower; he caught it. 
 
 " Sire, I can always find a rendezvous " 
 
 she answered. ' 
 
 "YouVe the biggest rogue in Eng- 
 land, laughed Charles. ^ 
 ^' Of a subjeSi, perhaps, Sire," replied 
 ■Nell, pointedly. ^ 
 
 fCl^^^ i! ''?''°"' ''y ^^"^^1'" rejoined 
 added: but treason of the tongue and not 
 
 theheart.Ad.eu! Let that seal thy lips 
 until we meet." ■' ^ ' 
 
 [ 120 ] 
 
lips 
 
 jdMerry Talc of a Merry Time 
 
 upon the balcony. ^ 
 
 " Alack-a-day," sighed Nell, sadly, as 
 
 he caught the k,ss. "Some one may bLk 
 the seal, my hege; who knows?" 
 
 ^^^,*^°^""w? "questioned Charles, jeal- 
 
 Nell hugged herself as she saw his fit- 
 1 mood; for beneath mock jealousy she 
 
 thoughtshesawthegermoftruejeabusy 
 She laughed w.stfully as she explained: 
 ^^Itwe^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 oth:S'"'^'^^"^'^'^^'-d tossed an- 
 
 wolds^ "SllS. "'°^' ^'^^"^^ ^'- 
 "Now we '11 despatch the affairs ofEng- 
 
 land brother; then we'll sup with pretfy 
 
 Ndly. Poor brother JamesI^Heaven^lS 
 
 him and his ostriches." 
 
 He turned and strode quickly throuf^h 
 
 the trees and down the path; but, as he 
 went, ever and anon he called: " Ye Blue 
 iioarinn, within the hour!" 
 
 Each time from the balcony in Nell's 
 
 L 
 
 
 J 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 sweet voice came back — "Ye Blue Boar 
 Inn, within the hour! I will not fail you, 
 Sire!" 
 
 Then she too disappeared. There was 
 again a slamming of doors and much con- 
 fusion within the house. There were calls 
 and sounds of running feet. 
 
 The door below the terrace opened sud- 
 denly, and Nell appeared breathless upon 
 the lawn — at her heels the constant Moll. 
 Nell ran some steps down the path, peer- 
 ing vainly through the woods after the 
 departing King. Her bosom rose and fell 
 in agitation. 
 
 "Oh, Moll, Moll, Moll!" she ex- 
 claimed, fearfully. "He has been at 
 Portsmouth's since high noon. I could see 
 it in his eyes." Her own eyes snapped as she 
 thought of the hated French rival, whom 
 she had not yet seen, but whose relation 
 to the royal household, as she thought, 
 gave her the King's ear almost at will. 
 
 She walked nervously back and forth, 
 then turned quickly upon hercompanion, 
 asking her, who knew nothing, a hun- 
 dred questions, all in one little breath. 
 [ 122 ] 
 
— -. .,v^,. 1UUK.S sner what k 
 
 her charm her fascination, the magic of 
 her art? Is she short, tali, fat, lean, joyous 
 or sombre? I must know." ''Joy°"s 
 
 "Oh, Nell what will you do?" cried 
 Moll m fearful accents as she watched 
 her beaufful mistress standing Ision 
 swayed before her like a queen^ n the 
 moonl.ght the little toe o? her cUppe 
 nervously beating the sward as she gen 
 
 eral-hkemarshalledherwitsforthebanle 
 i>ee her, see her, -from ton to toe'" 
 Nel at length exclaimed. "Oh there 
 will be sport, sweet mouse. Franc; agaL 
 against England-the stake, a S" 
 She glanced in the diredtion of "the 
 
 Strinls'h hKr"'^ joyously as she saw 
 strings hobbling toward her 
 
 "Heaven ever gave me a man in wait- 
 ng, she sa:d, gleefully. "Poor fellow ie 
 hmps from youthful,'war-met wounds 
 Comrade, are you stni strong enough^ 
 
 heSutfr:;iifd''.^°"''^ 
 
 "You know^the Duchess of Ports- 
 i ~'^3 J 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 mouth, and where she lives?" artfully 
 inquired Nell. 
 
 "Portsmouth!" he repeated, excit- 
 edly. "She was here but now, peeping 
 at your windows." 
 
 Nell stood aghast. Her face grew pale, 
 and her lips trembled. 
 
 " Here, here! " she exclaimed, incredu- 
 lously. "The imported hussy!" 
 
 She turned hotly upon Strings, as she 
 had upon poor Moll, with an array of 
 questions which almost paralyzed the old 
 fiddler's wits. "How looks she.? What 
 colour eyes.? Does her lip arch .? How many 
 inches span her waist?" 
 
 Strings looked cautiously about, then 
 whispered in Nell's ear. He might as well 
 have talked to all London ; for Nell, in her 
 excitement, repeated his words at the top 
 of her voice. 
 
 "You overheard? Great Heavens! 
 Drug the King and win the rights of Eng- 
 land while he is in his cups? Bouillon 
 
 the army — Louis — the Dutch! A con- 
 spiracy!" 
 
 " Oh, dear; oh, dear," came from Moll's 
 [ 124 ] 
 
__^l_Mi rry Tale of a Merrv Time 
 trembling lips. 
 
 Nell's wits were like lig'-taing play- 
 ing with the clouds. Her plans were 
 rormed at once. 
 
 " Fly, fly, comrade," she commanded 
 Strings. "Overtake her chair. Tell the 
 Duchess that her beloved Charles—she 
 will understand — entreats her to sup at 
 Ye Blue Boar Inn, within the hour. Nay 
 she will be glad enough to come. Say he 
 awaits her alone. Run, run, good Strings 
 and you shall have a hospital to nurse 
 these wounds, as big as Noah's ark; and 
 the King shall build it for the message." 
 Strings hastened down th path, fired 
 by Nell's inspiration, with almost the 
 eagerness of a boy. 
 
 "Run, run!" cried Nell, in ecstasy, as 
 she looked after him and dwelt gleeftilly 
 upon the outcome of her plans. 
 He disappeared through the trees. 
 "Heigh-ho!" she said, with a light- 
 hearted step. "Now, Moll, we'll get our 
 nrst sight of the enemy." 
 
 Shedarted into the house, dragging poor 
 Moll after her. &,& &i- 
 
 r I2< 1 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 "JntJ the man that is drunk is as great as a king." 
 
 An old English inn! What spot on 
 earth is more hospitable, even though its 
 floor be bare and its tables wooden? There 
 IS a homely atmosphere abou- i', with its 
 cobwebbed rafters, its ding_> windows, 
 Its big fireplace, where the rough logs 
 crackle, and its musty ale. It has over been 
 a home for the belated travelle. , v. here the 
 viands, steaming hot, have filled his soul 
 with joy. Oh, the Southdown mutton and 
 the roasts of beef ! 
 
 If England has given us naught else, 
 she should be beloved for her wealth of 
 inns, with their jolly landlords and their 
 pert bar-maids and their lawns for the 
 game of bowls. May our children's chil- 
 dren find them still unchanged. 
 
 In a quaint corner of London, there 
 stood such an inn, in the days of which 
 we speak; and it lives in our story. When 
 [ 126 ] 
 
-^ Merr y^ rale of a Mer^j^Ti^e 
 
 it was built, noTnie knew^~r^ne cared 
 Tradition said that it had been a rendez- 
 vous for convivial spirits for ages that had 
 gone A sign hung from the door, on 
 which was a boar's head; and under it, in 
 Old hnghsh lettering, might have been 
 deciphered, if the reader had the wit to 
 read, "Ye Blue Boar Inn." 
 
 It was the evening of a certain day 
 known to us all, in the reign of good 
 King Charles. Three yesty spirits sat 
 convivially enjoying the warmth of the 
 hre upon the huge hearth. A keg was 
 braced in the centre of the room. One 
 of the merry crew — none other, indeed 
 than Swallow, a constable to the King- 
 sat astride the cask, Don Quixote-like 
 In place of the dauntless lance, he was 
 armed with a sturdy mug of good old ale 
 He sang gaily to a tune of his own, turn- 
 ing ever and anon for approbation to Buz- 
 zard, another spirit of like guild, who sat 
 in a semi-maudlin condition by the table 
 and also to the moon-faced landlord of 
 the inn, who encouraged the joviality 
 oi his guests— not forgetting to count 
 [ '27 ] 
 
Mistress Nc// 
 
 the cups which they dc^iidj^h^d^ ' 
 
 Swallow sail!'- 
 
 o 
 
 "//ere -s a health unto his Majesty, with a fa 
 
 Conversion to his enemies with a fa, la fa 
 And he that will not pledge Ins health ' ' 
 J wish him neither wit nor wealth ' 
 Nor yet a rope to hang himself^ ' 
 
 l^ithafa, la, fa, 
 
 H^ilh a fa, la,far 
 
 The song ended in a triumphant wave 
 ot glory The singer turned toward the 
 fellow. Buzzard, and demanded indi.- 
 nantly: ° 
 
 "Why don't ye sing, knave, to the tune 
 ot the spigot? 
 
 "My gullet's dry. Master Constable," 
 stupidly explained his companion, as he 
 too buried his face in the ale. 
 
 "Odsbud, thou knowest not the art 
 thou clod," retorted the constable, wisely' 
 Way; I can sing as well as any man " 
 answered Buzzard, indignantly, "an I 
 know vvhen to go up and when to come 
 down He pointed stupidly, contrary to 
 the phrase, first to the floor and then to the 
 "'■'"g- [ .28 ] 
 
^ Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 The landlord chuckled merrily, imi- 
 tating him. " When t<. g,. up and when t<. 
 come down! " he re^.eated with the same 
 idiotic drawl and contiadii^tory gesture. 
 
 " Go to, simple," replied Swallow, with 
 tremendous condescension of manner. 
 "Thy mother gave thee a gullet but no 
 ear. Pass the schnapps." 
 
 He arose and staggered to the table. 
 "Good Master Constable, how sing- 
 est thou.?" sheepishly inquired Buzzard, 
 as he filled Swallow's tankard for the 
 twentieth time. 
 
 "Marry, by mr.in force, thou jack- 
 pudding; how else.? " demanded Swallow 
 pompously. He reseated himself with 
 much effort astride the cask. "Oh, bury 
 me here," he continued, looking into the 
 foaming mug, and then buried his face 
 deep in the ale. 
 
 His companions were well pleased with 
 the toast; for each repeated it after him, 
 each in his turn emphasizing the "me" 
 and the "here" — "Oh, bury me /lere'" 
 " Oh, bury me here! "—Buzzard in a voice 
 many tones deeper than that of Swalhw 
 [ 129 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 and the landlord in a voice many t^ 
 deeper than that of Buzzard. Indeed, the 
 guttural tones of the landlord bespoke the 
 grave-yard. 
 
 The three faces were lost in the foam- 
 nd ^'' ^"*/ °^''F smacked in unison 
 and the world might have wagged as i 
 would for these three jolly topert but for 
 
 kiTchTn" ' ''°'"' """'"^ '^""'^^^ ^^"^ '^^ 
 
 "Jenkins, love!" 
 
 "Body o' me!" exclaimed the land- 
 lord, almost dropping his empty tankard. 
 
 , 'VT^' ?'"'"g' ""y ^^^''- " and he de- 
 parted hastily. 
 
 The constable poked Buzzard in the 
 ribs; Buzzard poked the constable in the 
 ribs. 
 
 "Jenkins, love! " theyexclaimed in one 
 breath as the landlord returned, much to 
 his discomfiture; and their eyes twinkled 
 and wrmkled as they poked fun at the 
 taverner. 
 
 "Body o' me! Thou sly dog I" said 
 the c ns b,e. ,3 he contiLed'to tw' 
 ftini. W Iiencc came the saucy wench in 
 [ 130 ] 
 
jf_M^^21^ra!f_^'' ^«'7 Time 
 the .khdiioIi^di^rXlJ^^ J^^ 
 
 The landlord's face grew serious with 
 offended dignity as he attempted to ex- 
 plain. ^ 
 
 '"Tis my wife, Master Constable," h- 
 said. 
 
 " Marry, the new one.? "inquired Swal- 
 low. 
 
 "'Tis not the old one. Master Swal- 
 low, replied the old hypocrite, wiping 
 away a forced tear. "Poor soul, she? 
 gone, 1 know not where." 
 
 "I" faith, I trow she's still cooking, 
 landlord, consolingly replied the con- 
 stable, with tearful mien, pointing slyly 
 downward for the benefit of Buzzard and 
 steadying himself with difficulty on the 
 
 "Bless Matilde," said the landlord as 
 he wiped his eyes again, "I had a hard 
 time to fill her place." 
 
 "Yea truly," chuckled Swallow in 
 tiuzzard s ear, between draughts, "three 
 long months from grave to altar." 
 
 "A good soul, a good soul. Master 
 
 r ^ 
 
 - - _ 1 
 
__ Mistress Nell 
 
 the appearance of deep affliction. 
 
 And a better cook, landlord " said 
 Swallow, sadly. "Odsbud, she knew a 
 gooseberry tart. Patch your old w^e's 
 soul to your new wife's face, and v^u'l 
 be a^happy„.an, landlord. Here's a'5?op 
 
 ,C l^^H^ l^' ^^'^" Constable," replied 
 
 well t"o r 'J"'' 'f'""'^- "^ ^-k"d 
 well to the filhng of the flagon in his 
 hand aga,n w.ped a tear from his eve 
 
 ^"''Tt:ir:Li^f"^^--^^p^edg;of 
 
 Swallow with equal reverence, and 
 tThis Z' ^'-tT'^^ P'^'^^d his fl'agSn 
 .. ^. P ^"'^ ^^^ Pledge of 
 'The new one!" 
 
 Buzzard, who had not been heard from 
 for some time, roused sufficiently to reaf 
 
 s;:::trr"'^"^^-^^--^^^- 
 
 "The next one!" 
 
 l.nHl '^A'^^c^ expression pervaded the 
 
 landlords face as he realized the mean 
 
 >ng of Buzzard's words. He glanced woe-' 
 
 [ 132 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 fully toward the kitchen-door, lest the 
 new wife might have overheard. 
 
 "Peac , Buzzard!" Swallow hastened 
 to command, reprovingly. "Would ye 
 raise a man's dead wife.? Learn discretion 
 from thy elders, an thou hop'st to be a 
 married man." 
 
 " Marry, I do not hope," declared Buz- 
 zard, striking the table with his clenched 
 hand. He had no time for matrimony 
 while the cups were overflowing. 
 
 There was a quick, imperative knock 
 at the door. The constable. Buzzard and 
 the landlord, all started up in confusion 
 and fear. 
 
 "Thieves," stammered Swallow, faint- 
 ly, from behind the cask, from which he 
 had dismounted at the first sign of dan- 
 ger. "They are making off with thy tit- 
 bit-of-a-wife, landlord." 
 
 "Be there thieves in the neighbour- 
 hood, Master Constable?" whispered the 
 landlord, in consternation. 
 
 "Why should his Majesty's constable 
 be here else? " said Swallow, reaching for 
 a pike, which trembled in his hand as if 
 
 [ 133 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 o'er-run with ^hem J'T"'>' ^^""^'^ 
 thy "-wife's bluTWTsth """"; ''^^ 
 He steadied himse^Tth .7"'',''^'"'"-" 
 tookadeepdraSoT? ^^P'^eand 
 
 courage as weJ?^ ''" '° ^^^% his 
 
 hyhi;be",Va';.ZXTS»e'^^^™ 
 o^ his trembling body """'"'^ 
 
 -cSSrspir/''"^^^^-- their 
 i^^nshadcoX^f^l^^-therre- 
 
 -;rhtsr''^^--"^^'^"°w! 
 
 asked ^'''^^'"^>«^ye^tthouso?"he 
 
 iow;tl;?i4';;^.-f.-tinuedswai- 
 
 Rowley within a ten r °" '"^'^ ^^^ 
 
 huswi4facrundeV:S';L"k'^"^" 
 Constable Sw.Ilow on the H '^ ""'^ 
 
 thy treasure " ^ '^°°'' ^^ guard 
 
 f '34 ] 
 
A M erry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 come to be the nickname of the King him- 
 self. Charles assumed it good-naturedly 
 Assuredly, neither might be expected as 
 a visitor to Ye Blue Boar. 
 
 There came a more spirited knock at 
 the door. The constable sought a niche 
 in the f replace, whence he endeavoured 
 to exclude Buzzard, who was loath to be 
 excluded. 
 
 "Pass the Dutch-courage, good land- 
 lord, entreated Swallow, in a hoarse whis- 
 
 i"'he Lndlord started boljly toward the 
 door, but his courage failed him "Go 
 thou. Master Constable," he exclain. ]. 
 
 "Go thou thyself," wisely commanded 
 bwallow, with the appearance of much 
 bravery, though one eye twitched ner- 
 vously in the diredtion of the kitchen- 
 door in the rear, as a possible means of 
 exit. "There's no need of his Majesty's 
 constable till the battery be complete 
 There must bean aftion and intent, saith 
 the law." 
 
 "Old Rowley ! " muttered the landlord 
 
Mistrrss N,'// 
 
 i-"-^;;r',;r,r;:i::^,:r.'j.«'"'.' 
 
 "■■■hin reach „r,,„ch ™ei,,,t "'"""! 
 
 desire for furtSnl"^"'""^^^^ 
 [ '36 ] 
 
i/ 
 
 A Merry Ta/c „f „ Merry rime 
 Swallnwagain seized liis nikcand st„, 
 gcred towar.1 tl.c entry-way o i n, rcss £ 
 companuH, with l.is bravery "'"'^'""^ 
 
 t;c,pat.„n of such happiness as he ll 1 i 
 "JnirMe. Thou igi,„ramiimu,l OI,l 
 
 5»ife/„r„K:-,o\i^.;xr 
 
 the wart on thy nose, knave " ' ''^ 
 
 au/zard, with an injured look at the 
 
 mention of the wart "itw.lic 
 
 Mnfh^,. ; ' ^'" S"on away. 
 
 r I -i-T 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 Swallow put his hands on his knees and 
 
 laughed deeply. Uecontemplatedthenose 
 and person of his companion with acurious 
 air and grew mc ''ow with patronage. 
 
 "Thy fool's pate is not so dull," he said, 
 iialt aloud as he lighted a long pipe and 
 putted violently. "Thy wit would crack 
 a quarter-staff-. 'Sbud, would'st be mv 
 posse ? " ^ 
 
 This was, indeed, a concession on the 
 part of the constable, who was over- 
 weighted with the dignity of the law 
 which he upheld. 
 
 "Would'st be at my command," he 
 continued, "to execute the King's Statu 
 quos on rogues? " 
 
 "Marry, Constable Buzzard'" ex- 
 claimed the toper, gleefully. "Nay, and 
 1 would! 
 
 "Marry, 'Constable' Buzzard!" re- 
 plied Swallow, with tremendous indig- 
 nation at the assumption of the fellow. 
 " Nay, and thou would'st not, ass! By mv 
 patron saint — " ^ 
 
 As the constable spoke. Buzzard's eye 
 with a leer, lighted on the cask in the 
 [ '38 ] 
 
ij^'-jy^'rak£aMerry Time 
 
 corner. He bethought hin- th.t it ha;7-, 
 
 3'37'*''^^^P'K"^;'i'=tiptocdunstcadily 
 dittiuilty to insert a straw in the snnll 
 
 <>pen.ng,„ had thus already added f 
 term ly to hus maudlin condition, bcfo e 
 SwalW d.sc„vered, with consteVnation 
 wh ch^f' ^ ''^?-^-^y advantage 
 cured ^^^ Wo'nted posse had se- 
 
 The cunning constable held carefully 
 on to h.s tongue, however. He quietlj 
 
 to the cask, unobserved by the unsuspect- 
 ing Buzzard, whose eyes were tightly 
 c osed .n the realization of a dream of S 
 highest earthly bliss. 
 
 In an instant, the straw was clipped 
 mid-way and the constable was enjoy ng 
 
 half'T,"''u^'^^"^'^^'^'-°"ghthelowef 
 half; wh.le Buzzard slowly awakened to 
 
 sh' ? ?'u ^'' '^'■^^'" "f f^''- had van- 
 > hed and that he was sucking a bit of 
 straw which yielded naught. 
 
 "Here, knave," commanded Swal- 
 
 r 
 
 r TO 1 
 y j 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 low between breaths, pushing the other 
 roughly aside, « thou hast had enoui^h for 
 ^posse. Fill my mug, thou ignoranshibus." 
 Ouzzard staggered toward the table 
 to perform the bidding. "The flairon's 
 r/7' K ''["; Constable," he replied, 
 and forthwith loudly called out, "Land- 
 lord! Landlord!" 
 
 The constable dropped his straw and 
 raised himself with difficulty to his full 
 
 S ""'^ ''^"'^ ^™'^ ""^'''"S °" ^^^ 
 "Silence fool of a posse^ he com- 
 manded, when he had poised himself; 
 look ye, I have other eggs on the spit. 
 To thy knee, sirrah; to thy knee, knave' " 
 Buzzard with d,3iculty and with many 
 groans unsuspedUngly obeyed the com- 
 mand. Swallow lifted the cask which 
 not long since he had been riding and 
 which had not as yet been tapped upon 
 the shoulder of his kneeling companion. 
 1 Here was another groan. 
 
 '"Tis too heavy, good Master Con- 
 stable cried Buzzard, in sore distress. 
 Ihou clodhopper/" yelled Swallow, 
 [ 140 ] 
 
unsympathetically. «'An thn„ . 
 
 m.ster the Kings law. To the kitchen 
 
 ZlttoTl T' '".e,^hy eyes Shu'; hou 
 knave oU posse." The constable made a 
 d.ve for h.s pike and lantern.and enforced 
 
 wuhTabrr/th^ 'r'r"' ^'^^ --s' 
 
 witn jabs of the pike from behind at hi<: 
 powerless friend, who could scarce keep 
 h.s legs under the weight of the cask ^ 
 kitrh ^^^"^ '°"ered through the 
 kitchen-door and made his exit Ihl 
 constable, finding his orders S hVJll y 
 obeyed, steadied himself with the p"S 
 o secure a good start; and then S 
 long staggering strides, he himself made 
 
 ';s\T/rttontr-'"^-^^"'-^^'^ 
 
 « 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 Thrie chkhens ! 
 
 came Kinrrh^ "''^ u'^^'^'^'j'' ^"^ ■" 
 have kn ^ x^^'l^'^ ^"' ^^o would 
 have known him? The royal monarch 
 had assumed the mien and gaT of a 
 ragged cavaHer. ^ ^ 
 
 His eyes swept the inn quickly and 
 approvingly. He turned upon the land 
 lord, who followed him 'with' dui^^^ 
 
 "Cook the chickens to a turn- and 
 
 S an^",' '^^^^^^ *"^^°^ -d 'sauce' 
 ho , and plenty of wine," he said. "Look 
 
 to t; ehe vmtage I named, Master Land- 
 lord. I know the bouquet and sparkle 
 '"« wu "PP'^ °'^'- 'he palate." ' ^'' 
 
 the2wr'K^^°'''"j'^'^'^''-'''-^ked 
 tne land ord, aghast at the order. 
 
 Insole.-it!" replied Charles. "I com 
 mand it, sirrah." "^" 
 
 "Pardon, sir," humbly suggested the 
 [ H2 ] 
 
A Merry Ta le of a Merry Time 
 
 landlord; "guine^Ii^i^dl^^T^^;;;^^;^^ 
 mand here." 
 
 "Odso!" muttered the King, remem- 
 bering his disguise. " My temper will re- 
 veal me. Neverfe.r,landlord,"he boasted 
 loud y. "You shall be paid, amply paid. 
 I will pledge myself you shall be pLid." 
 
 I /'''>' \'\" ^alteringly repeated the 
 landlord rubbing his hands together 
 graciously; " but the order is a costly one 
 and you " ■' 
 
 "Do not look flourishing.?" said 
 Lharles, as he laughingly finished the 
 sentence, glancing somewhat dubiously 
 himself at his own dress. "Never iudjie 
 a man by his rags. Plague on't, though; 
 I would not become my own creditor 
 upon inspedion. Take courage, good 
 Master Landlord; England's debt is in 
 my pocket." 
 
 "How many to supper, sir.? " asked the 
 landlord, feartul lest he might ofFend 
 
 "Two! Two! Only two!" decisively 
 exclaimed Charles. " .\ man is an extrav- 
 agant tool who dines more. The thii is 
 expensive and in the way. Eh, landlord? " 
 [ >« 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 The King winked gailyTlTthTlZ-r 
 lord, whogrinned in res^onle and dropped 
 his^eyes more rcspedlfully. ^^ 
 
 ;;jwo, sir," acquiesced the landlord. 
 Aye, mine host, thou art favoured be 
 
 Sv ^h'"!]'''?^"^''^^ Charles know." 
 jngly, as he dwelt upon the joys of a fealr 
 
 incognuo alone wi[h Nell '^Ibelated 
 fand1"!,"°"^^ -P at thy hostelry "The 
 - Sl^tu^^^Vb^^^'''^ ^'^°"'-^^- 
 
 dosthear,h;:::^S,trs:;t' 
 
 b rehgiously to me." Charles swagge ed 
 oTtVeVot^'^^^^°'^^-'^^-4'Tn1 
 
 The moon-face of the inn-keeper erew 
 slowly senous. He could not reconc iS 
 shabby, road-bespattered garments of he 
 -nge cavalier with hisVc3;lm! 
 
 onrbytn:'thTcandr""r'''^^''"g 
 i- ^ . ^ candles in the room till 
 
 ll\fT^r''fr'^ '" expeaatTo'n o/ 
 
 Turbo ;n?°""'^^'''^-''^Sg^'-' °" '"y life ! 
 rurbot and capons and the best vintage- 
 
 TheKmg could not have better than this' 
 [ '44 ] 
 
___AJderry Tale of a~M^^^^rPrim^ 
 
 nL K r' ''"' Constable Swallow shall 
 toast h,s feet .n the kitchen, with a mug 
 ot musty ale to make him linger " 
 
 f, J ^"--"efs.of the mouth in themoon- 
 tace ascended in a chuckle. 
 
 "His ragged lordship 'li settle the bill 
 very rehg,ously," he thought, "or sleep 
 off^his sw, 'en Roundhead behind the 
 
 He passed into t.e kitchen and gave 
 he order for the repast. As he returned, 
 there was a tap at the door; and he hast- 
 ened to the window. 
 
 "We^lT ,";"'/ P«'''c°^t!" he cried. 
 
 Well, he s told the truth for once. She 's 
 
 veiled. Ashamed of her face or ashamed 
 
 I ?^ °P^"/'^ ^^^ ^''°' ^"^ "shercd in a 
 lady dressed in white; across her face and 
 eyes was thrown a scarf of lace 
 
 "Not here?" questioned the new- 
 comer, glancing eagerly about the room 
 and peeping into every nook and corner 
 without the asking, to the astonishment 
 or the mn-keepcr. 
 
 [ HS ] 
 
BlueBoarlnnr '"'""' ^^'^'^ Ye 
 grJoS,;.''^-" '^P''^' '^^ landlord. 
 
 lord,T:;'idf;/°'^'^^^^^"-'^^'Jtheland- 
 "The goddess!" retorted Nell for ,t 
 
 sT; I 1!T y°" '° ^^^'^ the Duchess? '• 
 She laughed merrily at the thought 
 
 Ihere was a second knock- and th^ 
 landlor again hastened to the'wTndow 
 
 excit^d^:^^c;'';:"-^.7dNe,l, 
 
 ^lWhathas>h;r^J.Tsh; 
 . " ^"'^y o'me ! " exclaimed the landlor,! 
 
 " 'TSTaJ^ ";"^','^^^ "-^ - '"-at' 
 1 IS a lady of quality " 
 
 ;;Bad quality," ejaculated Nell. 
 . j"'f has come in a chair of silver " 
 cned the landlord ' 
 
 "My chair shall be of beaten gold 
 [ 146 ] 
 
j£Merry Ta/e ofa Merry Time 
 
 Mercy me, the great lady's coming 
 
 n cont,„,,d he landlord, beside hinv 
 selt in his excitement. 
 
 "She shall be welcome, most welcome 
 
 landlord," observed Nell'promptly 
 
 . ^^r °>^-' What shall I say?'^sked 
 
 the landlord in trembling acce'nts."''' 
 
 Faithandtroth,"repliedNell,comine 
 tc his rescue, " I will do the parkz-vou"? 
 ing with her ladyship. Haste thee, thou 
 gnnning fat man." She glided quickly 
 
 ^hVouTdTt^'^'r^'^'^p'-^'-^- 
 
 She could not oe observed so readily. 
 
 with an?h"'h '' u P°«^'"°"th entered, 
 with all the haughty grandeur of a queen 
 She glanced about contemptuously, and 
 herhpeould be seen tocur^ven thr;ugh 
 the verl which partially hid her face. ^ 
 I his bourgeois place," she said "to 
 
 supwiththeKinglltcannotbelG^./" 
 What a voice," rerfefted Nell, in her 
 
 hid.ng-place,"inwhichtosigh,'Ilove 
 
 "Barbarous place!" exclaimed Ports- 
 [ H7 ] 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 mouth. "His Majesty mu^tb^^^^^J^^This 
 Wits. 
 
 She smiled complacently, however as 
 
 she reflected that the King !nightcons;n 
 even within these walls and that his sign- 
 manual if so secured, would be as bind- 
 ing as if given in a p?l; ce. 
 
 "Garp;:.'" again she called, irritably. 
 
 JNell was meanwhile inspefting her ri- 
 val from top to toe. Nothing escaped her 
 quick eye "I'll wager her complexion 
 needs a veil, she muttered, with vixenish 
 Fran " ^°^" '^ ^" '"^"'* '° her native 
 
 "Garpn; answer me," commanded 
 I'ortsmouth, fretfully. 
 
 The landlord had danced about her 
 grace in such anxiety to please chat he 
 had displeased. He had not learned the 
 courtiers art of being ever present, yet 
 never in the way. ^ 
 
 "Yes, your ladyship," he stupidly re- 
 peated again and again. "What would 
 your ladyship?" 
 
 Oid a prince leave commands for 
 supper? she asked, impatiently 
 
 [ 148 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 "No, your ladyship," he replied, ob- 
 sequiously. '-A ragged rogue ordered a 
 banquet and then ran away, your lady- 
 
 "How, sirrah?" she questioned, an- 
 grily, though the poor landlord had 
 rneant no discourtesy. 
 
 "If he knew his guests, he would 
 ne er return," softly laughed Nell. 
 
 ''Parhleu;' continued Portsmouth, in 
 her F rench, impatient way, now quite in- 
 censed by the stupidity of the landlord, 
 a cavaher would meet me at Ye Blue 
 Boar Inn; so said the messenger." 
 
 She suddenly caught sight of Nell 
 whose biting curiosity had led her from' 
 her hiding-place. "This is not the ren- 
 dezvous," she reflected quickly "We 
 were to sup alone." 
 
 The landlord still bowed and still ut- 
 tered the meaningless phrase: " Yes, your 
 ladyship." 
 
 The Duchess was at the end of her pa- 
 tience. "Af5« Dieu," she exclaimed, "do 
 you know nothing, sirrah.?" 
 
 The moon-face beamed. The head 
 [ 149 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 were rubbed together graciously. 
 
 Good lack, I know not; a supper for 
 
 LtT^Treplr-'H^^^^^^^'^"""^- 
 ' ^ rcpiiea. Here are two oetti- 
 
 coats, your ladyship. Whenlknowwhch 
 pemcoat js which petticoat, your 1^;. 
 ihip I will serve the dinner." ^ 
 
 The tavern-keeper sidled toward the 
 kuchen-door. As he went out, he mat! 
 tered, judiciously low: "I wouldn't give 
 a hapenny for the choice." ^ 
 
 "Mu^stfnr'" '"'PP''* Portsmouth. 
 Musty place, musty furniture, musty 
 
 ^"rp^, musty everything!" ^ 
 
 She stood aloof in the centre of the 
 
 room as if tearful lest she might be con 
 
 taminated by her surroundings. 
 Nell approached her respedfully 
 You may like it better after supper 
 
 madame," she suggested, mildly. "A good 
 
 spread,sparklingwineandmostcongfnial 
 company have cast a halo o'er moreSe 
 begrimed rafters than these " 
 
 "Who are you, madame.?" inquired 
 the Duchess, haughtily. ^ 
 
 [ '50 J 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 "A fellow-passenger on the earth," 
 gently replied Nell, "and a lover of good 
 company, and — some wine." 
 
 " Yes? " said the Duchess, in a way that 
 only a woman can ask and answer a ques- 
 tion with a "yes" and with a look such 
 as only a woman can give another woman 
 when she asks and answers that little ques- 
 tion with a "yes." 
 
 There was a moment's pause. 
 
 The Duchess continued: "Perhaps you 
 have seen the cavalier I await." 
 
 "Marry,notI,"repliedNell,promptly; 
 and she bethought her that she had kept 
 a pretty sharp lookout for him, too. 
 
 " Is^ this a proper place for a lady to 
 visit?" pompously inquired the Duchess. 
 
 "You raise the first doubt," said Nell 
 quickly. 
 
 "Madame!" exclaimed Portsmouth, 
 interrupting her, with fiery indignation. 
 
 " I say, you are the first to question the 
 propriety of the place," explained Nell, 
 apologetically, though she delighted in- 
 wardly at the intended shot which she 
 had given her grace. 
 
 [ i5> ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 the' nS' ''y .=;n^"i'U.ncnt."^„ntinued 
 ;"' '^^''«S "but it seems I was mis 
 led. G>c„;,„iy chair'" 
 
 uor but Nell s words stopped her. 
 
 Be patient. D.u:hess! l/c is too gal- 
 I'lnt to desert you. ° 
 
 "She knows mc!" thought Ports 
 
 you^uailu^;:^-;,.:;;:..!"-^"-"^ 
 
 NeIl":uaveV"^ '"'^' ""' '°""'" "^''^' 
 
 Du'cL';'"'""/?'"' ^""'" ^"•"•"'inded the 
 Duehe.; and her eyes flashed through 
 
 Jl} '?."''= "«' b^f"--*^ the beauty of Ver- 
 s=>'Iles, continued Nell, sweetly "r' 
 
 qu;:e^dVorfsZ.tr"'' "^^^ •■"- 
 
 "Ifearnot,"sai.^ Nell, meekly and 
 
 shecourtes,edlow."lambutanhum- 
 '''l,P'^>^'--^aIIed Nell Gwyn." 
 
 ^^The Duchess raised herself to her full 
 
 L J J 
 
"^ Mi-nyTakj/j, Merry Time 
 
 "Nell Gwy„!" shci;i;;^;i7;;rdThl 
 
 fa'rly tore ofFhcr veil. 
 
 eracef!^^! ' •''^'"" '^"r'«^''y'"« '<- and 
 gracefully removing her veil 
 
 "This is a trap," exclaimed the Diich- 
 
 css,^as she realised the situation. 
 
 then"""'",'''''' ''^^ '"■^'" 'hat set it 
 then sweetly suggested Nell. 
 
 Vour own, minx," snapped Ports- 
 mouth. " I'll not look at the hussy '° he 
 
 herself upon the bench, back to Nell 
 Your grace would be more kind if 
 
 you knew my joy at seeing you." 
 
 ^J And why? "asked the Buchess,ironi- 
 
 am^.ab.l.ty,' tenderly responded Nell. 
 m„.h • '"u P°'-'«'"«"th; but how 
 much agam there was in her little " yes " 
 accented as it was with a French shrug 
 
 ued Nell, •< especially when I know her 
 
 "A successful rival.?" triumphantly 
 I '53 J 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 asked the Duchess! ' 
 
 "A rival!" exclaimed Nell, in well- 
 feigned astonishment, still toying with 
 the Duchess's temper. "Is the poor ac- 
 tress so honoured in a duchess's thought? 
 Your grace i^ generous." 
 
 If all the angels had united, they could 
 not have made her speech more sweet or 
 ncr manner more enticing. 
 
 "I presumed you might conceive it 
 so, replied Portsmouth, with mocking 
 condescending mien. 
 
 Nell approached her timidly and spoke 
 sottly, lovingly, subserviently. 
 
 " \\'^A ^° ^^^ g''^af Duchess of Ports- 
 mouth! she said. "Perish the thought' 
 It IS with trepidation I look upon your 
 
 glorious face, madame; a figure that would 
 tempt St. Anthony; a foot so small it 
 makes us swear the gods have lent in- 
 visible wings to waft you to your con- 
 quest. Nay, do not turn your rosy lip in 
 scorn; I am in earnest, so in earnest, that 
 were I but a man, I would bow me down 
 your constant slave- unless perchance 
 you should grow fat." 
 
 [ '54 J 
 
Th/ n"l'" ^"^ Portsmouth's. 
 . . "^. duchess sprang to her f,-nt .„ i 
 
 old?" ^"'"^''"'1^ shall ne'er grow 
 
 "Your stars are falser t'.an yourself " 
 tartly snapped the Duchess. ^ ^' 
 
 "bur m^l'P'" 'l''^ ^^"' ''till gleeful- 
 out mark you this tr.ifK. r u °"^""'' 
 
 bhe was interrupted^ by his Majesty, 
 i. '5S J 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 who, unsuspeaing. swaggered into the 
 room in buoyant spirits. 
 
 "The King!" exclaimed Nell, as she 
 slyly glanced over her shoulder. 
 
 The King looked at one woman and 
 then at the other in c'ismay and horror 
 " bcylla and Chary bdis ! " he muttered 
 nervously, glancing about for means of es- 
 cape. "All my patron-saints proted me' " 
 Nell was by his side in an inst^-nt 
 "Good even' to your Majesty," she 
 roguishly exclaimed. "How can I ever 
 thank you. Sire, for inviting the Duch- 
 ess to sup with me! I have been eager to 
 meet her ladyship." ^ 
 
 "Ods-pitikins," he thought, "a loop- 
 hole for me. ^ 
 
 " Well,_you see—" he said, "a little 
 surprjse Nelly,_a little surprise-for 
 me. 1 he last two words were not audible 
 to h.s hearers. He looked at the beau- 
 tiful rivals an instant, then ventured " I 
 
 E"'° ^' '" '""' '° '""■°'^"" y°"' 
 
 "Oh, your Majesty," asserted Nell 
 consolingly, "we are already quite well 
 [ 156 ] 
 
^^_MerryJ\tlcjfa Merry Time 
 
 through 
 
 acquainted. I knew her .'r 
 her veil " 
 
 he. 
 
 '.•M- 
 
 \n ner- 
 
 "No (iouht on 't," ob.sr, 
 knowingly. 
 
 "Yes, Sire," said the i:-, hc-.s, 
 t'ly, casting a frigid .(um.. ,• * 
 warrant we understa, . >-a, 
 fcetly." 
 
 "Better and better," said C>, l-s sv-'i 
 a sickly laugh. ' " 
 
 .U^A ^o1"'y '-""^ '■"'^'^^ a"'! 'Shoals 
 ahead and his wits could find no chan- 
 nel of escape. He turned in dire distress 
 upon Nell, who stood aloof, bhe looked 
 up into his face with the innocence of a 
 babe in every feature. 
 
 "Minx, this is your work!'" he whis- 
 pered. 
 
 "Yes Sire!" she answered, mock-re- 
 prov.ngly, bending quite to the floor as 
 she courtesied low. 
 
 S\ ^^'' ^''?/ ^^gg^^ge-' " he exclaimed 
 good-naturedly despite himself 
 
 As he turned away, praying Heaven 
 to see him out of the difficulfy, he ob- 
 served the landlord, who had just entered 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 with bread and cups, muttering some du- 
 bious invocations to himself. He clutched 
 
 at this piece of human stupidity like a 
 
 drowning man clutching at a straw: "Ah, 
 landlord, bring in what we live for; and 
 haste ye, sirrah. The wine! The wine!" 
 "It is ready, sir," obsequiously replied 
 the landlord, who had just sense enough 
 in his dull cranium to refleft also, by 
 way of complement, "So is Constable 
 Swallow." 
 
 "Good news, good news!" cried 
 Charles; and he tossed his plumed hat 
 upon the sideboard, preparatory to the 
 feast. "D'ye hear, my fair and loving 
 friends.? Come, it is impolite to keep the 
 capons waiting. My arms; my arms!" 
 
 The King stepped gallantly between 
 the ladies, making a bold play for peace. 
 The Duchess took one arm formally. 
 Nell seized the remaining arm and al- 
 most hugged his Majesty, nestling her 
 head affeaionately against his shoulder. 
 Charles observed the decorum of due dig- 
 nity. He was impartial to a fault; for he 
 realized that there only lay his salvation. 
 [ 158 ] 
 
Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 The phalanx approached the feast in 
 sol»mn march. The King tossed his head 
 proudly and observed: "Who would not 
 p ay the thorn with two such buds to 
 blush on either side?" 
 
 There was a halt. The Duchess looked 
 coldly at the table, then coldly at the 
 K-ing, then more coldly at Nell. The 
 Kmg looked at each inquiringly. 
 
 "I thought your Majesty o- dered sup- 
 per for three," she said. " It is .et for two." 
 "Odsfish, for two!" cried Charles 
 glancing, anxiously, for the first time at 
 the collation. 
 
 Nell had taken her place at the feast 
 regardless of formality. She was looking 
 out for herself, irrespeftive of King or 
 Duchess. She believed that a dinner, like 
 the grave, renders all equal. 
 
 "Egad!" she exclaimed, as she dwelt 
 upon the force of the Duchess's observa- 
 tion. "Our host is teaching us the virtues 
 of economy." 
 
 The unsuspedting landlord re-entered 
 at this moment, wine in hand, which he 
 proceeded to place upon the table 
 
 [ '59 J 
 
another plate, dog ' " ^ ' ^^^''' 
 
 ana asked complacently ^ ^' 
 
 ^.^'' Wh.ch one of us did you exped, 
 
 -ughed Ne'i'' ''' ^°" "P^^' S-e?" 
 "w'e5?^'wdf ^"'^'" ^'■"^"'^'^ Charles; 
 
 -ue;i:::';;^:v;— ^-he3s,the 
 
 •" at figures. You see, Charles a7d7are 
 [ i6o ] 
 
JJderry Tale of a Merry rime 
 one, and you make two. Duchess " 
 
 "I spoke to the King," haughtily re- 
 Tt Nell ''' "°' '^''^"'"S to glance 
 
 The King placed his hands upon his 
 forehead in bewilderment. 
 
 "This is a question for the Prime 31in- 
 ister and sages of the realm in council " 
 • "There are brr two chairs, Sire," con- 
 tinued Portsmouth, coldly. 
 
 "Two chairs!" exclaimed the Merry 
 Monarch, aghast, as he saw the breach 
 Hopelessly widening. "I am lost." 
 
 " That is serious, Si re," said Nel'l, sadly • 
 and then her eye twinkled as she sug- 
 gested, " but perhaps we might make out 
 with one, for the Duchess's sake. I am oo 
 little. 
 
 She turned her head and laut^hed gaily 
 while she watched the Duchess's face out 
 01 the corner of her eye. 
 
 "'Sheart," sighed the King, "I have 
 construed grave controversies of state in 
 my time, but ne'er drew the line yet be- 
 twixt black eyes and blue, brunette and 
 Wonde, when both were present. Another 
 [ '6i ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 tfx .^^"*^'°';'J' Come, ^liTl^^i;^. 
 eat, drink and forget." 
 
 The King threw himself carelessly into 
 
 ne might hnd peace. 
 
 r«'^\^'" ^'=,'5"'^'*«d Nell, who was al- 
 
 " eat^'n- r ^'^' 'f^^P^^ive of ceremony, 
 
 stood tr'" '"''' l^" ^"'^'^^^«> ^ho still 
 stood indignant in the centre of the room. 
 
 ful hft?h 'rrP'^'^'^^^'^^'-'^^^th- 
 shrug, ,n imitation of the Duchess: 
 
 Oh very well ! I have a solution. Let 's 
 play sphinx. Sire." 
 
 Charles looked up hopefully 
 
 «HowT-tr''"P""'"'^="^'^-«^ 
 
 " Why," explained Nell, with the phil- 
 osophical air of a learned dodor, "some 
 years before you and I though muTh 
 
 about the ways and means of this wicked 
 world, your Majesty, the Sphinx spent 
 her leisure asking people riddles; and if 
 they could not answer, she ate them alive 
 [ >62 J 
 
J^ Merry Tale of a Merry Tune 
 
 Give me some of that turbot. Don't stand 
 on ceremony, Sire ; tor the Duchess is wait- 
 ing. 
 
 The King hastened to refill Nell's plate. 
 "Thank you," laughed the vixen; 
 "that wrill do for now. Let the Duchess 
 propound a riddle from the depths of her 
 subtle brain; and if I do not fathom it 
 upon the instant. Sire, 'tis the Duchess's 
 — not Nell's— evening with the King." 
 " Odsfish, a great stake ! " cried Charles. 
 He arose with a serio-comic air, much 
 pleased at the turn things were taking. 
 
 "Don't be too confident, madame," 
 ironically suggested the Duchess; "you 
 are cleverer in making riddles than in 
 solving them." 
 
 As she spoke, the room was suddenly 
 filled with savoury odour. The moon- 
 faced landlord had agaii. appeared, flour- 
 ishing a platter containing two finely 
 roasted chickens. His face glow.-d with 
 pride and ale. 
 
 "The court's famished," exclaimed 
 Charles, as he greeted the inn-keeper- 
 "proceed!" ' 
 
 [ '63 ] 
 
Two capons! I have it," trium- 
 phantly thought Portsmouth, as she re- 
 He6ted upon a riddle she had once heard 
 in far-off France. It could not be known 
 >n England. Nothing so clever could be 
 known in England. She looked con- 
 temptuously at Nell, and then at the two 
 chickens, as she propounded it. 
 
 "Let your wits find then three capons 
 on this plate." ^ 
 
 "Three chickens!" cried Charles, in 
 wonderment, closely scrutinizing the two 
 fowl upon the plate and then looking up 
 inquiringly at the Duchess. "There are 
 but two." 
 
 Nell only gurgled. 
 
 "Another glass, landlord, and I "II see 
 four, she said. "Here's to y.., two 
 and to me too." She drank gaily to her' 
 toast. ^ 
 
 "That is not the answer, madame " 
 coldly retorted the Duchess. 
 
 "Are we come to blows over two inno- 
 cent chickens.? " asked Charles, somewhat 
 concerned still for the outcome. "Bring 
 on your witnesses." 
 
 [ '64] 
 
A Merry T ale of a Merry Time 
 
 "This is one chicken, your Majesty " 
 declared the Duchess. "Another's two; 
 and two and one make three." 
 
 With much formahtv and something 
 of the air of a conjurer, she counted the 
 first chicken and the second chicken and 
 then recounted the first chicken, in such 
 a way as to make it appear that there were 
 three birds in all. 
 
 The King, who was ill at figures, like 
 all true spendthrifts, sat confused by her 
 speech. Nell laughed again. The land- 
 lord, who was in and out, stopped long 
 enough to enter upon his bill, in ram- 
 bhng charaders, "3 chickens." This was 
 all his dull ear had comprehended. He 
 then piously proceeded on his way. 
 
 "Gadso!" exclaimed the King, woe- 
 fully. "It is too much for me." 
 
 "Pooh, pooh, 'tis too simple for you. 
 Sire," laughed Nell. " I solved it when a 
 child. Here is my bird; and here is your 
 bird; and our dearest Duchess shall sup 
 on her third bird!" 
 
 Nell quickly spitted one chicken upon 
 a huge fork and so removed it to her own 
 [ '65 ] 
 
Mistress Nc// 
 
 plate. The second chid^^iiT^hTlik— ^ 
 
 all the politeness which she only could 
 summon she bowed low and offered the 
 empty platter to the Duchess 
 
 .rU^'Tl'^ ''r^^ '' '° the board an- 
 gnlywuh her gloved hand and steadied 
 herselfagamst the table. 
 
 JI^TP" '''"■ ^'''^'^' «"d forthwith 
 pretended to grow faint. 
 
 Charles was at her elbow in an instant 
 supporting her. '"stant, 
 
 . "^'■— ^"■^' I — " she continued, in 
 ner efforts to speak. 
 
 " What is it? " cried Charles, seriously 
 endeavouring to assist her. " You a-e oale 
 ivouise. i^"'^* 
 
 "I am faint," replied she, with much 
 
 ^!^'^"^y-"^'-don my longer aud'nce, 
 S»re; I am not well. Gra,, my chair 
 Assist mc to the door." ^ 
 
 hi J^^ ^'' '^"'^u°''^ '""''^ ^ h^^ty exit, for 
 h.m toward the street, in h.s desire to 
 help the great lady. Charles supported 
 her to the threshold. Hpurtra 
 
 "Call a leech, Sire," cried Nell after 
 [ 166 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 them, with mock sympathy. " Her grace 
 has choked on a chicken-bone." 
 
 "Be still, wench," commanded the 
 King. " Do not leave us, Louise; it breaks 
 the sport. 
 
 "Nay," pleaded Nell also, "do not 
 go because of this little merry-making 
 Duchess. I desire we may become better 
 friends." 
 
 Her voice revived the Duchess. 
 '' Sans doute, we shall, madame," Ports- 
 mouth replied, coldly. "^ mon ball Pas 
 adieu, mats au revoir." 
 
 The great Duchess courtesied low 
 kissed the King's hand, arose to her full 
 height and, with an eye-shot at Nell, took 
 her departure. 
 
 4- 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 /trrett him yaurstif! 
 
 1 Uh King stood at the door, thought- 
 fully reriedhng on the temper of the^de- 
 
 part.ng Duchess. She wasamaidof honour 
 and more than that, an emissary from his 
 brother Loms of France. Gossip said he 
 oved her, but it was not true, though he 
 Iked her company exceeding well when 
 the mood suited. He regretted only the 
 cvenmg s incident, with the harsher feel- 
 ing It was sure to engender 
 
 ■,n^f ''°^^^^ '^^ f^r^p\^ct, mutter- 
 ng hrcnch phrases in humorous imita- 
 tion of her grace. Observing the King's 
 preoccupation, she tested a ..ro/^//, mer- 
 rily at his h'.-ij. 
 
 This br< ,ght his Majesty to himself 
 again He tiirned, and laughed as he saw 
 lier; tor his brain and heart de/ightcd in 
 ^"^^'^fl'^y-m^king. He loved her. 
 
 What means this vile French?" she 
 [ i68 ] 
 
 
A M erry rale of a Merry Time 
 asked, with delicious suggestion JFTh^ 
 shrug, accent and manner of her van- 
 quished rival. 
 
 "The Duchess means," explained the 
 King, "that she gives a royal ball — " 
 
 "And inv.tcs mej-" broke in Nell 
 qmckly placing her elbows upon a cask 
 and lookmg over it impishly at Charles. 
 And mvites you notr said the Kin? 
 and so outwits you." 
 
 "By her porters' wits and not her own " 
 retorted Nell. ' 
 
 She threw herself into a chair and be- 
 came oblivious for the moment of her 
 surroundings. 
 
 ball? she thought. "V\ ell, wdl, I'll be 
 there! I 11 teach her much. Oh I'll be 
 pretty, too, aye, very pretty. No Vear yet 
 of rivalry or harm for Ivngland." 
 
 Charles watched her amusedly ear- 
 nestly, lovingly. The vixen had fallen 
 unconscously into imitating agam the 
 
 Duchess s foreign ways, as an accompa- 
 niment even for her thoughts. ^ 
 
 ''Sans doute, we shall, )nadame" Nell 
 
 [ 169 ] 
 
MICHOCOPY RESOIOTION TEST CHAUT 
 
 (ANSI af>d ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 
 
 ^ APPLIED INA^GE he 
 
 ^— '653 East Main Street 
 
 =•■= Rochester. Ne* York U609 USA 
 
 '■-iiS= ("^16) 482 - 0300 - Phone 
 
 ^^ (7;6) 288 - 5989 - Fo< 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 muttered audibly, with much gesticu- 
 lating and a mocking accent. "^ mon 
 bal! Pas adieu, mais au revoir." 
 
 The King came closer. 
 
 " Are you ill," he asked, " that you do 
 mutter so and wildly ad:.?" 
 
 "I was only thinking that, if I were a 
 man," she said, turning toward him play- 
 fully, "I would love your Duchess to de- 
 votion. Her wit is so original, her repartee 
 so sturdy. Your Majesty's taste in horses 
 — and some women — is excellent." 
 
 She crossed the room gaily and threw 
 herself laughing upon the bench. The 
 King followed her. 
 
 "Heaven help the being, naughty 
 Nell," he said, "who offends thy merry 
 tongue; but I love thee for it." He sat 
 down beside her in earnest adoration, then 
 caught her lovingly in his arms. 
 
 " Love me.? " sighed Nell, scarce mind- 
 ful of the embrace. " Ah, Sire, I am but 
 a plaything for the King at best, a caprice, 
 a fancy — naught else." 
 
 " Nay, sweet," said Charles, "you have 
 not read this heart." 
 
 [ 170 ] 
 
A Merry Tule 'tf^M^^^^^y^rime 
 
 Ndl, w.th much meaning in her voice. 
 It IS this one to-day, that one to-morrow 
 witn King Charles. Ah, Sire, your lov^ 
 tor the poor player-girl is summed up 
 in three little words: 'I amuse you'"' 
 
 ^^" urT, "'"'•" ^^claimed Charles, 
 thoughtfully. "Hark ye, Nell! States 
 may marry us; they cannot make us love. 
 Ve Gods, the humblest peasant in mv 
 realm is monarch of a heart of his own 
 choice. Would I were such a kingi" 
 
 ^^'n^^^' u"'"'"' ^°""*^y ^''^ asked 
 Nell, sadly but wistfully, "teaches your 
 fancy to follow the plough, my truant 
 master.? ° j 
 
 .< " You forget: I too," continued Charles, 
 have been an outcast, like Orange Nell 
 seeking a crust and bed." 
 
 He arose and turned away sadly to sup- 
 press his emotion. He was not the King 
 of England now: he was a man who had 
 suttered; he was a man among men 
 
 "Forgive me, Sire," said Nell, tenderly 
 as a woman only can speak, " if I recall un- 
 happy times." 
 
 [ 171 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "Unhappy!" echoed Charles, while 
 Fancy toyed with RecolledHon. " Nell, in 
 those dark, days, I learned to read the hu- 
 man heart. God taught me then the dis- 
 tinftion 'twixt friend and enemv. When 
 a misled rabble had dethroned my father, 
 girl, and murdered him before our palace 
 gate, and bequeathed the glorious arts and 
 progressive sciences to religious bigots 
 and fanatics, to trample under foot and 
 burn — when, if a little bird sang over- 
 joyously, they cut out his tongue for dar- 
 ing to be merry — in some lonely home 
 by some stranger's hearth, a banished 
 prince, called Charles Stuart, oft found 
 an asylum of plenty and repose; and in 
 your eyes, my Nell, I read the self-same, 
 loyal, English heart." 
 
 There was all the sadness of great music 
 in his speech. Nell fell upon her knee, 
 and kissed his hand, reverently. 
 
 "My King!" she said; and her voice 
 trembled with passionate love. 
 
 He raised her tenderly and kissed her 
 upon the lips. 
 
 "My queen," he said; and his voice 
 
 [ 172 ] 
 
A Merry rale of a Merry Time 
 too^ trembled with passionate love. 
 
 " And Milton says that Paradise is lost " 
 whispered Nell. Her head rested on the 
 Kings shoulder. She looked up — the 
 pifture of perfed happiness -into his 
 eyes. 
 
 "Not while Nell loves Charles," he 
 said. 
 
 " And Charles remembers Nell " her 
 voice answered, softly. 
 
 Meanwhile, the rotund landlord had 
 entered unobserved; and a contrast he 
 made, indeed, to the endearing words of 
 the lovers as at this instant he uncere- 
 moniously burst forth in guttural accents 
 with: 
 
 "The bill! The bill for supper, sir!" 
 Nell looked at the King and the King 
 
 °°if^'V^'"' ''^"" '^"^'^ J°°l^ed at the 
 landlord. The lovers' sense of humour was 
 boundless. 1 hat was their first tie- the 
 second, their hearts. 
 
 "The bill ! " repeated Nell, smothering 
 
 the bfn'""^^'' ^^ ^'•■^ J"^^ ^P^^king of 
 
 "How opportune ! "exclaimed Charles, 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 taking the cue. " We t'eared you would 
 forget it, irrah." 
 
 "See tJiat it is right," ejaculated Nell. 
 
 The King glanced at the bill indiffer- 
 ently, but still could not fail to see " 3 
 chickens" in unschooled hand. His eyes 
 twinkled and he glanced at the landlord, 
 but the latter avoided his look with a pre- 
 tence of innocence. 
 
 " Gad," said Charles, with a swagger, 
 "what are a few extra shillings to Parlia- 
 ment.? Here, my man." He placed a hand 
 in a pock-^t, but found it empty. "No; 
 it is in the other pocket." He placed 
 his hand in another, only 10 find it also 
 empty. Then he went through the re- 
 maining pockets, one by one, turning 
 them each out for inspeftion — his face 
 assuming an air of mirthful hopelessness 
 as he proceeded. He had changed his 
 garb for a merry lark, but had neglefted 
 
 to change his purse. "Devil on't, I 
 
 have — forgotten — Odsfish, where is my 
 treasurer?" he exclaimed at last. 
 
 "Your treasurer!" shrieked the land- 
 lord, who had watched Charles's search, 
 
 [ 174] 
 
^ Merry Taie of a Merry Time 
 
 with twitching eyes. " Want your treas- 
 urer, do ye? Constable Swallow 'II find 
 him for ye. Constable Swallow! I knew 
 you were a rascal, by your face." 
 
 Charles laughed. 
 
 This exasperated the landlord still fur- 
 ther. He began to flutter about the room 
 aimlessly, bill in hand. He presented it to 
 Charles and he presented it to Nell, who 
 would have none of it; while at intervals 
 he called loudly for the constable. 
 
 " Peace, my man," entreated Nell; " be 
 still for mercy's sake." 
 
 "Good lack, my lady," pleaded the 
 landlord, in despair, "good lack, but you 
 would not see a poor man robbed by a vag- 
 abond, would ye? Constable Swallow!" 
 
 The situation was growing serious in- 
 deed. The King was mirthful still, but 
 Nell was fearful. 
 
 " Nell, have you no money to stop this 
 heathen's mouth?" he finally ejaculated, 
 as he caught up his bonnet and tossed it 
 jauntily upon his head. 
 
 " Not a farthing," replied she, sharply. 
 " I was invited to sup, not pay the bill " 
 
 [ ^7S ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "If the King knew this rascal," yelled 
 the landlord at the top of his voice, point- 
 ing to Charles, "he would be behind the 
 bars long ago." 
 
 This was too much for his Majesty, 
 
 who broke into the merriest of laughs. ' 
 
 " Verily, I believe you," he admitted. 
 
 Then he fell to laughing again, almost 
 
 rolling off the bench in his glee. 
 
 "Master Constable," wildly repeated 
 the landlord, at the kitchen-door. "Let 
 my new wife alone; they are making off 
 with the house." 
 
 Nell was filled with consternation. 
 " He '11 raise the neighbourhood. Sire," 
 she whispered to Charles. " Have you no 
 money to stop this heathen's mouth.?" 
 
 " Not even holes in my pockets," calmly 
 replied the Merry Monar-ch. 
 
 "Odsfish, what company am I got 
 into!" sighed Nell. She ran to the land- 
 lord and seized his arm in her endeavour 
 to qu'et him. 
 
 The landlord, however, was beside 
 himself He stood at the kitchen-door 
 gesticulating ferociously and still shout- 
 [ '76 ] 
 
. ^^ M^'-'-y Tale of a M^y rime 
 
 ing at the top of hiT^cc^T^^O^i^ii^bk 
 Swa ow Help, help; thieves; Constable 
 bwallow! 
 
 Swallow staggered into the room with 
 all his dignity aboard. Tankard in hand 
 he made .i dive for the table, and catch- 
 ing it hrmly, surveyed the scene 
 
 Nell turned to her lover for protection. 
 Murde,, hic!" ejaculated the con- 
 stable "Thieves! What's the row?- 
 Hic! 
 
 .K "i^T' ^Y'^ blackguard," commanded 
 the landlord, nervously, "this perfiler of 
 honest men." 
 
 " Arrest ! —You drunken idiot ! " indig- 
 nantly exclaimed Charles; and his sword 
 cut the air before the constable's eyes 
 
 Nell seized his arm. Her woman's in- 
 tuition showed her the bettei course 
 
 "You will raise a nest of them," she 
 whispered. "You need your wits. Sire- 
 not your sword." 
 
 "Nay; come on, I say," cried Charles, 
 fearlessly. "We'll see what his Majesty's 
 constables are made of." 
 
 " You rogue— x°mf./"excIaimedSwal- 
 [ ^77 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 low, starting boldly for the King, then 
 making a brilliant retreat, calling loudly 
 for help, as the rapier tickled him in the 
 ribs. 
 
 "You ruffian — Posse!" he continued 
 to call, alternately, first to one and then to 
 the other; for his fear paralyzed all but 
 his tongue. "You outlaw — Posse commi- 
 ti-titnus — hie!'' 
 
 Buzzard also now entered from his 
 warm nest in the kitchen, so intoxicated 
 that he vented his enthusiasm in song, 
 which in this case seemed apt: 
 
 "Of man that is drunk is as great as a king." 
 
 "Another champion of the King's 
 law!" ejaculated Charles, not without a 
 shadow of contempt in his voice, once 
 more assuming an attitude of defence. 
 
 "Oh, Charles!" pleaded Nell, again 
 catching his arm. 
 
 "Posse, arrest that vagabond," com- 
 manded the constable, from a point of 
 safety behind the table. 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir," replied the obedient 
 Buzzard. "On what charge — hie?" 
 
 [ 178 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry 7,, 
 
 "He's a law-breaker ana aTobberi " 
 yelled the watchfu! landlord. 
 
 "He called the law a drunken idiot. 
 Hic — hic!" woefully v/ailed Swallow. 
 "Odsbud, that's treason! Arrest him 
 posse ~\):\c\" 
 
 " Knave, I arrest -- hic ! " asserted Buz- 
 zard. 
 
 Tht posse started boldly enough for his 
 game, but was suddenly brou^-ht to a stand- 
 still m his reeling course by the sharp 
 pomt of the rapier playing about his legs. 
 He made several indignant efForts to over- 
 come the obstacle. The point of the blade 
 was none too gentle with him, even as he 
 beat a retreat; and his enthusiasm waned 
 
 "Arrest him yourself— hic!" he ex- 
 claimed. 
 
 Swallow's face grew red with ragt. To 
 have his orders disobeyed fiie^ him with 
 much more indignation of soul than the 
 escape of the ruffian, who was simply 
 defrauding the landlord of a dinner. He 
 turned hotly upon the insubordinate *»««- 
 crying: 
 
 "I'll arrest you, you Buzzard — hic!" 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 "I'll arrest you, you Swallow — hie!" 
 with equal dignity retorted Buzzard. 
 
 "I'm his Majesty's constable — hie!" 
 hissed Swallow, from lips charged with 
 air, bellows-like. 
 
 " I 'm his Majesty's/5w— hie! " hissed 
 Buzzard in reply. 
 
 The two drunken representatives of 
 the law seized each other angrily. The 
 landlord, in despair, endeavoured hope- 
 lessly to separate them. 
 
 "A wrangle of the generals," laughed 
 Charles. "Now is our time." He looked 
 about quickly for an exit. 
 
 "Body o' me! The vagabonds '11 es- 
 cape," shouted the landlord. 
 
 "Fly, fly!" said Nell. "This way, 
 Charles." 
 
 She ran hastily toward the steps lead- 
 ing to the entry-way; the King assisted 
 her. 
 
 "Stop, thief! Stop, thief!" screamed 
 the landlord. "The bill! The bill!" 
 
 "Send it to ihe Duchess!" replied 
 Nell, gaily, as she and the Merry Mon- 
 arch darted into the night. 
 [ i8o ] 
 
A M crryjralejfa Merry Time 
 
 The landlord turned in despair, to find 
 the drunken champions oF the Kind's 
 law m a struggling heap upon the floor. 
 He raised his toot and took out vengean-e 
 where vengeance could be found 
 
 
=«^ 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 In the field, men ; at court, women I 
 
 It was the evening of Portsmouth's 
 long-nwaited ia/ masque. Music filled 
 her palace with rhythmic sound. In the 
 gardens, its mellowing strains died away 
 among the shrubs and over-hanging 
 boughs. In every nook and corner wan- 
 dered at will the nobility — the richest 
 
 the greatest — in the land. 
 
 None entertain like the French ; and the 
 Duchess had, indeed, exhausted French 
 art in turning the grand old place into a 
 land of ravishing enchantment, with its 
 many lights, its flowers, its works of art. 
 Her abode was truly an enlivening scene, 
 with its variety of maskers, bright domi- 
 noes and vizards. 
 
 The King was there and took a merry 
 
 part in all the sport, although, beneath 
 
 his swaggering abandon, there lurked a 
 
 vein of sadness. He laughed heartily, he 
 
 [ '82 ] 
 
A Mer ry Tale of a Merry Time 
 danced gaily, he jested with one and all; 
 but his manner was assumed. The shrewd- 
 est woman's eye could not have seen it; 
 though she might have felt it. Brother 
 James too enjoyed the dance, despite his: 
 piety; and Buckingham, Rochester and a 
 score of courtiers beloved by the King en- 
 tered mirthfully into the scene, applaud- 
 ing the Duchess's entertainment heartily. 
 
 As the evening wore apace, the merry 
 maskers grew merrier and merrier. In a 
 drawing-room adjoining the great ball- 
 room, a robber-band, none other than sev- 
 eral gallants, whose identity was concealed 
 by silken vizards, created huge amuse- 
 ment by endeavouring to steal a kiss from 
 Lady Hamilton. She feigned shyness, 
 then haughtiness, then anger; then she 
 ran. They 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 be^Dre my lady broke away, 
 stamping her foot in indignation, as she 
 exclaimed: 
 
 [ 183 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "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 favour- 
 ite, friend Buckingham.?" suggested the 
 King, softly; and there was no hidden 
 meaning in his speech, for the King sus- 
 pected that Buckingham's heart as well 
 was not at Portsmouth's and Bucking- 
 ham knew that the King suspefted it. 
 
 Buckingham was the prince of court- 
 iers; he bowed low and, saying much 
 without saying anything, replied respect- 
 fully: 
 
 " 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, gal- 
 lants, to the promenade!" 
 
 Hcv.as dressed in white and gold; and 
 [ 184] 
 
___^Jdt^rryJjik^a Merry rime 
 a princely pHi^^TheTooK^n^^^;^ 
 courtiers separated for him to pass out be- 
 tween tiiem. 
 
 All follovyed save Buckingham, whom 
 rortsmouth s eye detained. 
 
 f„rn''^r^™''l'"'" ^J"y""s laugh as she 
 turnedfromthetapestry-curtains,through 
 which she could see his Majesty -the 
 "" wu^'' '"i'-thful scene without. 
 
 What say you now, my lord.?" she 
 asked triumphantly, of Buckingham "I 
 am half avenged already, and the articles 
 ha f 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, 
 "wl 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 players whim to found a hospital at 
 Chelsea,for broken-down old soldiers? C? 
 n est r ten!" 
 
 [ ^«S ] 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 She broke into a mocking laugh. 
 
 "Aye!" replied Buckingham, quietly 
 but significantly. "The orders are issued 
 tor its building and the people are cheer- 
 ing Nell throughout the realm." 
 
 "■'Ma for.'" 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 forcefully too. "The hawkers 
 cry it in the streets." 
 
 "Fools! Fools!" she mused. Then, 
 making sure that no arras had ears, she 
 continued: "Before the night is done, 
 thou shall hear that Luxemoourg has 
 fallen to the French — Mark! — Luxem- 
 bourg! Feed the rabble on that, my lord. 
 Heaven preserve King Louis! " 
 
 The Duke started incredulously. When 
 had Portsmouth seen the King.? and by 
 what arts had she won the royal consent.? 
 A score cf questions trembLd on his lips 
 — and yet were checked before the utter- 
 ance. Not an intimation before of her suc- 
 cess had reached his ear, though he had 
 [ i86 ] 
 
±J^^^:Vrralejfa Merry Tm, 
 
 advised with the Duch^^Hi^i^^IT^ 
 s.nct the.r accidental meeting below 
 Nell s terrace. Indeed, in his heart h^ 
 had never believed that she wo, d be 
 able so to dupe the Kint. TK j 
 
 from fK„ „ * L , ^ S- ^"^ shadow 
 om the axe which fell upon Charles 1 
 
 the temper of the English people and 
 of well-known treaties 1h^ . • 
 ofCharlfsTI ■ r '.^!' 'he acquiescence 
 or cnarles II. m Louis's projeft would be 
 but madness. Luxembourg was the kev 
 s rateget.cally to the Netherlands nd the 
 states beyond. Its fall meant the tut 
 mentation of the Empire of Louis ^^-" 
 personal ignominy of Charles' '''' 
 
 cautL^ur'Si'S^T'^^^'f^''^^-'^ 
 sent — " ^ Charles did not con- 
 
 "Nay," replied the Duchess, in her 
 
 sweetest way, "but I knew he would 
 and s,3 I sent the message in advance'' 
 
 ise"c2rrr""K''^'^'>'^"-'"-- 
 
 ^e cned Buckingham, in tones of ad- 
 miration mixed with fear. 
 
 " ^ ''"^^ '"y P°^er, my lord," she said 
 [ '87] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 confidently; and her eyes glistened witli 
 womanly pride as she added: "The con- 
 sent will come." 
 
 Buckingham's eyes — usually so frank 
 — fell; and, for some seconds, he stood 
 seemingly lost in abstraction over the 
 revelations made by the Ducliess. He was, 
 however, playing a deeper game than he 
 appeared to play. Apparently in thought- 
 lessness, he began to toy with a ring which 
 hung upon a ribbon about his neck and 
 which till then had been cautiously con- 
 cealed. 
 
 "Nay, what have you there?" ques- 
 tioned Portsmouth. 
 
 Buckingham's face assumed an expres- 
 sion of surprise. He pretended not to com- 
 prehend the import of her words. 
 
 She pointed to the ring. 
 
 He glanced at it as though he re- 
 gretted it had been seen, then added care- 
 lessly, apparently to appease but really to 
 whet the Duchess's curiosity: 
 
 "Merely a ring the King gave Nell." 
 
 There was more than curiosity now in 
 Portsmouth's eyes. 
 
 [ i88 J 
 
A Merry r,ik- of a M,.,.,.y t^- 
 
 'nil- 
 
 "I borrowed it to show it you," con- 
 tinue. Buckingham, indifferently, then 
 
 asked, with tantalizingcahiiness:" Is your 
 mission quite complete?" 
 
 With di^Hculty, the Duchess mastered 
 herself. Without replying, she walke<i 
 s owly toward the table, in troubled 
 thought. The mask of crime revealed it- 
 self m her beautiful features, as she said 
 half to herself: 
 
 "I have a potion I brought from 
 France. 
 
 She was of the Latin race and poison 
 was a heritage. 
 
 Buckingham caught the words not 
 meant for him, and realized too well 
 their sinister meaning. Poison Nell' His 
 eyes swept the room fearfully and he 
 shuddered. He hastened to Portsmouth's 
 side, and in cold whispers importuned 
 her: 
 
 " For Heaven's mercy, woman, as you 
 love yourself and me — poison is an un- 
 he^thy diet to administer in England." 
 
 The Duchess turned upon him impa- 
 tiently. The black lines faded slowly from 
 [ 189 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 her face; but they still were there, be- 
 neath the beauty-lines. 
 
 "My servants have watched her house 
 without avail," she sneered. "Your plan 
 is useless; my plan will work." 
 
 "Stay!" pleaded Buckingham, still 
 fearful. "We can ourselves entice some 
 adventurous spirit up Nell's terrace, then 
 trap him. So our end is reached." 
 
 "Aye," replied the Duchess, in milder 
 mood, realizing that she had been over- 
 hasty at least in speech, "the minx pre- 
 sumes to love the King, and so is hon- 
 est! But of her later. The treaties! He 
 shall sign to-night — to-night, I say." 
 
 With a triumphant air, she pointed 
 to the quills and sand upon a table in 
 readiness for his signing. 
 
 Buckingham smiled approvingly; and 
 in his smile lurked flattery so adroit that 
 it pleased the Duchess despite herself 
 
 " T>ord Hyde, St. Albans and the rest," 
 said he, "are here to aid the cause." 
 
 "Bah!" answered Portsmouth, with 
 a shrug. "In the field, men; at court, 
 women! This girl has outwitted you all. 
 [ 190 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Mary Time 
 I must accomplish my mission alone. 
 Charles must be Louis's pensioner in 
 full; England the slave of PVance' My 
 fortune — Lt' Grand Ro/'s regard — hane 
 upon it." ° 
 
 Buckingham cautioned her with a 
 startled gesture. 
 
 "Nay," smiled Portsmouth, compla- 
 cently, "I may speak frankly, my lord; 
 for your head is on the same block still 
 with mine." 
 
 "And my heart, Louise," he said,in ad- 
 miration. "Back to the King! Do noth- 
 ing rash. We will banish thy rival, dear 
 hostess." 
 
 He did not add, save in thought, that 
 Nell's banishment, if left to him, would 
 be to his own country estate. 
 
 There was almost a touch of afFeftion 
 in the Duchess's voice as she prepared to 
 join the King. 
 
 "Leave all to me, my lord," she said, 
 then courtesied low. 
 
 "Yea, all but Nell!" refleded his lord- 
 ship, as he watched her depart. "With 
 this ring, I'll keep thee wedded to jeal- 
 [ 191 ] 
 
! I 
 
 !l I 
 
 i 
 
 Mistress Ne/l 
 
 ous interest, and so enrich my purse and 
 power. Thou art a great woman, fair 
 France; I half love thee myself. But 
 thou knowest only a moiety of my pur- 
 pose. The other half is Nell!" 
 
 He stood absorbed in hisown thoughts. 
 
 The draperies at the further door-way, 
 on which was worked in Gobelin tapes- 
 try a forest with its grand, imposing oaks, 
 were pushed nervously aside. Jack Hart 
 entered, mask in hand, and scanned the 
 room with skeptic eye. 
 
 "A happy meeting," mused Bucking- 
 ham, reflefting upon Hart's one-time 
 ardour for Mistress Nell and upon the 
 possibility that that ardour, if dlredled by 
 himself, might yet compromise Nell in 
 the King's eyes and lead to the realiza- 
 tion of his own fond dreams of greater 
 wealth and power and, still more sweet, 
 to the possession of his choice among all 
 the beauties of the realm. 
 
 "It is a sad hour," thought Hart, 
 glancing at the merry dancers through 
 the arch, " when all the world, like play- 
 ers, wear masks." 
 
 [ 192 ] 
 
^ M erry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 Buckingham assumed an air ot bon- 
 homie. 
 
 "Whither away. Master Hartf" he 
 called after the player, who started per- 
 ceptibly at his voice. "Let not thy fancy 
 play truant to this gay assemblage, to 
 mope in St. James's F:'-k." 
 
 "My lord!" exclaimed Hart, hotly. 
 The tire, however, was gone in an in- 
 stant; and he added, evidently under 
 syong constraint: "Pardon; but we pre- 
 fer to change the subjedt." 
 
 "The drift's the same," chuckled the 
 shrewd Huckingham; "we may turn it 
 to advantage." He approached the player 
 in a friendly manner. " Be not angry," he 
 exclaimed soothingly; "for there's a rift 
 even in the clouds of'love. Brighter, man; 
 for King Charles was seeking your wits 
 but now." 
 
 "He'd have me play court-fool for 
 him?" asked the melancholy mime, who 
 bad in his nature somewhat of the'cyni- 
 cism of Jaqucs, without his grand imag- 
 inings of soul. "There are many off the 
 stage, my lord, in better pradtice." 
 r 19^ 1 
 
111 
 
 Mistress Nell 
 
 "True, most true," acquiesced Buck- 
 ingham; "I could point them out." 
 
 He would have continued in this vein 
 but beyond the door, whence Hart had 
 just appeared, leading by a stair-way of 
 cupids to the entrance to the palace, arose 
 the sound of many voices in noisy alter- 
 cation. 
 
 "Hark ye, hark!" he exclaimed, in an 
 alarmed tone. "What is't.? Confusion in 
 the great hall-way below. We'll see to't." 
 
 He had assumed a certain supervision 
 of the palace for the night. With the 
 player as a body-guard, he accordingly 
 made a hasty exit. 
 
CHAP T i: R XII 
 
 Bniu /till 
 
 'iiir It m\ niim'. 
 
 1 HE room was not long vacant. The 
 hostess herself returned. She was radiant. 
 >* s she crossed the threshold, she 
 glanced hack proudly at the revellers, 
 who, led by his Majesty, were turning 
 night into day with their merry-making. 
 She had the right, indeed, to he proud; 
 for the evening, though scarce half spent, 
 bespoke a complete triumph for her en- 
 tertainment. This was the more gratify- 
 ing too, in that she knew that there were 
 many at court v.ho did not wish the " im- 
 ported " Duchess, as they called her, or lier 
 funiiion well, though they always smiled 
 sweetly at each meeting and at each part- 
 ing and deigned new to feast beyond the 
 hmit of gentility upon hjr rich wines and 
 collations. 
 
 The bai masque, however, as we have 
 
 seen, was with the Duchess but a means 
 
 r T«- 1 
 L 'yj j 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 ■ji i 
 
 to an end. She took from the hand of^a 
 pretty page the treaties, lately re-drawn 
 by Bouillon, and glanced hastily over the 
 parchments to see that her instruftions 
 trom Louis were covered by their words 
 A smile played on her arching lips as she 
 read and re-read and realized how near 
 sne was to viftory. 
 
 ",'Tis Portsmouth's night to-ni^htl" 
 she mused. "My great mission to Eng- 
 land IS nearly ended. Dear France, I feel 
 that I was born for thy advancement " 
 
 She seated herself by the table, where 
 the materials for writing had been placed 
 and .urther dwelt upon the outcome of 
 the royal agreements, their contingencies 
 and triumphs. She could write Charles 
 Rex almost as well as the King, she 
 thought, as her eye caught tne places left 
 
 tor hlC Clrm.^*- ^ 
 
 for his signature 
 
 Bouillon never fails me," she mut- 
 tered. "Drawn by King Charles's con- 
 sent, except perchance some trifling ar- 
 ticles which I have had interlined for 
 Louis s sake. We need not speak of them 
 It would be troublesome to Charles A 
 [ 196 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 little name and seal will make these pa- 
 pers history." 
 
 Herrefleftions were interrupted by the 
 return of Buckingham, who was laugh- 
 ing so that he could scarcely speak. 
 
 "What is 't?" she asked, petulantly. 
 
 "The guard have stayed but now a 
 gallant, Irish youth," replied he, as best 
 he could for laughter, "who swore that 
 he had letters to your highness. Oh, he 
 swore, indeed; then pleaded; then threat- 
 ened that he would fight them all with 
 single hand. Of course, he won th^ ladies' 
 hearts, as they entered the great hall, by 
 his boyish swagger; but not the guards. 
 Your orders were imperative— that none 
 unbidden to the ball could enter." 
 
 " 'Tis well," cried Portsmouth. " None 
 none! Letters to me! Did he say from' 
 whom.?" 
 
 "He said," continued Buckingham, 
 still laughing, "that he was under orders 
 of his master to place them only in the 
 Duchess's hands. Oh, he is a very lordly 
 youth." 
 
 The Duke throughout made a sad 
 r 107 1 
 
|!)i 
 
 Mistress Nell 
 
 attempt at amusing imitations of the 
 brogue of the strange, youthful, Irish 
 visitor who, with so much importunity, 
 sought a hearing. 
 
 Portsmouth reflefted a moment and 
 then said: " I wi.l see him, Buckingham 
 but briefly." * 
 
 Buckingham, not a little surprised, 
 bowed and departed graciously to con- 
 vey the bidding. 
 
 The Duchess lost herself again in 
 thought. "His message may have im- 
 port," she reflea^ed. " Louis sends strange 
 messengers ofttimes." 
 
 In the midst of her reverie, the tapestry 
 at the door was again pushed back, cau- 
 tiou 'y this time, then eagerly. There en- 
 tered the prettiest spark that ever graced 
 a kingdom or trod a measure. 
 
 It was Nell, accoutred as a youth; and 
 a bold play truly she was making. Her 
 face revealed that she herself was none 
 too sure of the outcome. 
 
 "By my troth," she thought, as she 
 glanced uncomfortably about the great 
 room, "I feel as though I were all 
 [ 198 ] 
 
A Merry Tal e of a Merry Time 
 
 breeches." She shivered. " It is such a ht- 
 tle way through these braveries to me." 
 
 Her eyes turned involuntarily to the 
 corner where Portsmouth sat, now dream- 
 ing of far-off France. 
 
 "The Duch ss!" her lips breathed, al- 
 most aloud, in her excitement. " So you 'd 
 play hostess to his Majesty," she thought, 
 " give a royal ball and leave poor Nelly 
 home, would you.?" 
 
 The Duchess was conscious only of a 
 presence. 
 
 ''Garpn!" she called, without look- 
 ing up. 
 
 Nell jumped a foot. 
 
 "That shook me to the boots," she 
 ejaculated, softly. 
 
 "Garpn!" again called the impatient 
 Duchess. 
 
 " Madame," answered Nell, fearfully, 
 the words seeming to stick in her fair 
 throat, as she hastily removed her hat and 
 bethought her that she must have a care 
 or she would lose her head as well, by 
 forgetting that she was an Irishman with 
 a brogue. 
 
 [ 199 ] 
 
Mistress Ncl! 
 
 "Will) are you?" asked Portsmouth, 
 haughtily, as, rising, with surprised eves, 
 she became aware of the presence of a 
 stranger. 
 
 Indeed, it is not strange that she was 
 surprised. The youth who stood before 
 
 her was dressed from top to toe in gray 
 
 the silver-gray which lends a colour to the 
 cheek and piquancy to the form. The dress 
 was of the latest cut. The hat had the 
 longest plume. Thecloak hung gracefully 
 save where the glistening sword broke its 
 falling lines. The boots were neat, well 
 rounded and well cut, encasing a jaunty 
 leg. The dress was edged with silver. 
 
 Ah, the strange youth was a love, in- 
 deed, with his bright, sparkling eyes, his 
 lips radiant with smiles, his curls falling 
 to his shoulders. 
 
 " Well," stammered Nell, in awkward 
 hesitation but in the richest brogue, as the 
 Duchess repeated her inquiry, " I 'm just 
 I, madame." 
 
 The Duchess smiled despite herself 
 
 " You Ve just you," she said. "That's 
 very clear." 
 
 [ 200 ] 
 
 full!' 
 
 ilii 
 
A Me rry^ rale of a Merry Time 
 
 iNell, still fearful of her ground. 
 
 "A modest masker, possibly," sug- 
 gested Portsmouth, observing the youth s 
 embarrassment and wishing to assist him 
 
 "Yea, very modest," replied Nell, her 
 sp chstil' a imbling," almost ashamed." 
 
 I'ortsmouth's eyes looked sharply at 
 her. ^ ^ 
 
 "She suspefts me," thought Nell, and 
 her heart leaped into her throat. " 1 am 
 lost — boots and all." 
 
 " Your name.? " demanded the Duchess 
 again, impatiently. 
 
 For the life of her Nell could not think 
 
 of It. 
 
 " You see," she replied evasively, " I 'm 
 in London for the first time in my present 
 self, madame, and " 
 
 "Your name and mission, sir.?" The 
 tone was imperative. 
 
 Nell's wits returned to her. 
 
 "Beau Adair is my name," she stam- 
 mered, "and your service my mission." 
 
 It was out, though it had like to have 
 choked her, and Nell was more herself 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 !i: 
 
 again. The worst sh ■ had feared was that 
 the Duchess might discover her identity 
 and so turn the tables and make her the 
 laughing-stock at court. She grew, in- 
 deed, quite hopeful as she observed a 
 kindly smile play upon the Duchess's lips 
 and caught the observation : " Beau Adair! 
 A pretty name, and quite a pretty fellow." 
 
 A smile of self-satisfadtion and a low 
 bow were Nell's reply. 
 
 "Vain coxcomb!" cried Portsmouth, 
 reprovingly, though she was highly 
 amused and even pleased with the strange 
 youth's conceit. 
 
 "Nay; if I admire not myself," wist- 
 fully suggested Nell, in reply, with pre- 
 tence of much modesty, " who will praise 
 poor me in this great palace?" 
 
 "You are new at court?" asked Ports- 
 mouth, doubtingly. 
 
 "Quite new," asserted Nell, gaining 
 confidence with each speech. "My Lon- 
 don tailor made a man of me only to-day." 
 
 "A man of you only to-day!" cried 
 the Duchess, in wonderment. 
 
 " He assured me, madame," Nell hast- 
 
 r .,_- 
 
A Merry Tale of g Merry Time 
 
 ened to expkhi, " thatThnkhbiTi^^s 
 the man. He did not lik^ my former fash- 
 ion. It hid too much that was good, he 
 said. I am the bearer of this letter to the 
 great Duchess of Portsmouth; that you 
 are lihe, I know by your royalty." 
 
 She bowed with ajaunty, boyish bow 
 sweeping the floor with her plumed hat,' 
 as she offered the letter. 
 
 "Oh, you are the gentleman," saia 
 lortsmouth, recalling her request to 
 Buckmgham, which for the instant had 
 quite escaped her. She took the letter and 
 broke the seal eagerly. 
 
 "She does not suspeft," thought Nell; 
 and she crossed quickly to the cur- 
 tained arch, leading to the music and the 
 dancing, in the hope that she might see 
 the King. 
 
 Portsmouth, who was absorbed in the 
 letter, did not observe her. 
 
 " From Rochet ! Dear Rochet ! " mused 
 the Duchess, as she read aloud the lines: 
 "'The bearer of this letter is a young 
 gallant, very modest and very little versed 
 in the sins of court.'" 
 
 [ 203 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "Very little," muttered Nell, with a 
 mischievous wink, still intent upon the 
 whereabouts and doings or the King. 
 
 "'He is of excellent birth,'" continued 
 the Duchess, reading, "'brave, young and 
 to be trusted — to he trusted. I commend 
 him to your kindness, protection and ser- 
 vice, during his stay in town.'" 
 
 She reflected a moment intently upon 
 the letter, then looked up quickly. JSIell 
 returned, somewhat confused, to her side. 
 
 "This is a very strong letter, sir," said 
 Portsmouth, with an inquiring look. 
 
 "Yes, very strong," promptly acqui- 
 esced Nell; and she chuckled as she 
 recalled that she had written it herself, 
 taking near a fortnight in the composi- 
 tion. Her fingers ached at the memory. 
 
 "Where did you leave Rochet.?" in- 
 quired the Duchess, almost incredulously. 
 
 "Leave Rochet.?" thought Nell, 
 aghast. " I knew she would rsk me some- 
 thing like that." 
 
 There was a moment's awkwardness — 
 Nell was on dilHcult ground. She feared 
 lest she might make a misstep which 
 
 r ,, 
 L -"^ 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 would reveal her identity. The Dudie^ 
 grew impatient. Finally, Nell mustered 
 courage and made a bold play for it, as 
 ever true to her brogue. 
 
 " Where did I leave Rochet? " she said, 
 as if she had but then realized the Duch- 
 ess's meaning, then boldly answered: " In 
 Cork." 
 
 " In Cork ! " cried Portsmouth, in blank 
 surprise. " I thought his mission took him 
 to Dublin." She eyed the youth closely 
 and wondered if he really knew the mis- 
 sion. 
 
 "Nay; Cork!" firmly repeated Nell; 
 for sh. dared not retrad, lest she awaken 
 suspicion. "I am quite sure it was Cork 
 I left him in." 
 
 " Quite sure.? " exclaimed the Duchess, 
 her astonishment increasing with each 
 confused reply. 
 
 " Well, you see. Duchess," said Nell, 
 "we had an adventure. It was dark; and 
 we were more solicitous to know whither 
 the way than whence." 
 
 The Duchess brokt into a merry laugh. 
 The youth had captured her, with his 
 
 L -05 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 wistful, Irish eyes, his brogue and his 
 roguish ways. 
 
 " We give a ball to-night," she said, 
 gaily. "You shall stay and see the King." 
 
 "The King!" cried Nell, kigning 
 I'right. "I should tremble so to see the 
 King." 
 
 " You need not fear," laughed the host- 
 ess. "He will not know you." 
 
 "I trust not, truly," sighed Nell, with 
 much meaning, as she scanned her scanty 
 masculine attire. 
 
 "Take my mask," said the Duchess, 
 graciously. " As hostess, I cannot wear it." 
 
 Nell seized it eagerly. She would be 
 safe with this little band of black across 
 her ves. Even the King would not know 
 her. 
 
 "I shall feel more comfortable behind 
 this," she said, naively. 
 
 " Did you ever mask.? " inquired Ports- 
 mouth, gaily. 
 
 "Nay, I am too honest to deceive," 
 answered Nell; and her eyes grew so 
 round and so big, who would not be- 
 lieve her? 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 "Hut you arc at court now," laughed 
 the Duchess, patronizingly. "Masking is 
 the first sin at court." 
 
 "Ti)en I'll begin with the first sin," 
 said Nell, slyly, raising the Duchess's fin- 
 gers to her lips, "and run the gamut." 
 
 They passed together into the great 
 ball-room, Nell exercising all her arts of" 
 fascination — and they were many. The 
 music ceased as they entered. The dancers, 
 and more especially the ladies, eyed curi- 
 ously the jaunty figure of the new-comer. 
 There were merry whisperings among 
 them. 
 
 " Who can he be? " asked one, eagerly. 
 "What a pretty fellow!" exclaimed a 
 second, in admiration. "I've been eying 
 him," said a third, cotnplacently. 
 
 The men too caught the infection. 
 
 "Who can he be.?" inquired Rochester. 
 
 " Marry, I '11 find out," said Lady Ham- 
 ilton, with an air of confidence, having 
 recovered by this time from the kisses 
 which had been thrust upon her and be- 
 ing now ready for a new flirtation. 
 
 She approached Adair, artfully, and 
 L '• 7 J 
 
Mistress Ncl/ 
 
 ? 
 
 inquired: "Who art thou, my butterfly? 
 Tell me now, e'er I die." 1 ler attitude was 
 a credit to the extremes of euphuism. 
 
 There was general laughter at her pre- 
 sumptuous and effete pose and phrase. 
 
 The ladies had gathered about the new 
 hero, like bees about new clover. The 
 gallants stood, or sat as wall-flowers in a 
 row, deserted. The King too h.id been 
 abandoned for the lion of the hour and 
 sat disconsolate. 
 
 "Peace, jealous ones!" cried Lady 
 Hamilton, reprovingly, then continued, 
 with a winning way: "I know thou art 
 Apollo himself, good sir." 
 
 Nell smiled complacently, though she 
 felt her mask, to assure herself that it was 
 firm. 
 
 "Apollo, truly," she said, jauntily, "if 
 thou art his lyre, sweet lady." 
 
 Lady Hamilton turned to the Duchess. 
 
 "Oh, your grace," she asked, lan- 
 guishingly, "tell us in a breath, tell us, 
 who is this dainty beau of the ball?" 
 
 " How am I to know my guests," an- 
 swered Portsmouth, feigning innocence, 
 r 208 1 
 
^ Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 "with their vizors ilnwn? Nay, sweet sir 
 unmask and please tlic ladies, 1' faith, whd 
 art thou?" 
 
 The hostess was delighted. The popu- 
 larity of the new-comer was lending a 
 unique novelty to her entertainment. She 
 was well pleased tliat she had detained 
 Monsieur Adair. She thought she saw a 
 jealous look in the King's usually care- 
 lessly indifferent gaze when she encour- 
 aged the affectionate glances of the Irish 
 youth. 
 
 "!' fait!i," laughed Nell, in rcpK, "I 
 know not. Duchess." 
 
 "D'ye hear.?" said Portsmouth. "He 
 knows not himself." 
 
 "But I have a suspicion. Duchess," 
 sighed Nc!! 
 
 " Hark ye," laughed Portsmouth, with 
 a very pretty pout, "he has a suspicion, 
 ladies." 
 
 "Nay, you will tell?" protested Nell, 
 as the ladies gathered closer about her 
 in eager expectation. 
 
 1 here was a unison of voices to the 
 contrary. 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 " Trust us, fair sir," said one. " Oh, we 
 are good at keeping secrets." 
 
 "Then, 'twixt you and me, I am — " 
 ^egan Nell; and she hesitated, teasingly. 
 
 The group about grew more eager, 
 more wild with curiosity. 
 
 " Yes, yes — " they exclaimed together. 
 
 "I am," said Nell, "the Pied Piper 
 of Hamlin Town." 
 
 "The rat-catcher," cried Portsmouth. 
 "Oh, oh, oh!" 
 
 There was a lifting of skirts, revealing 
 many high-born insteps, and a scramble 
 for chairs, as the ladies reflefted upon 
 the long lines of rats in the train of the 
 mesmeric Pied Piper. 
 
 "Flee, flee!" screamed Lady Hamil- 
 ton, playfully. " He may pipe us into the 
 mountains after the children." 
 
 "You fill me with laughter, ladies," 
 said Portsmouth to her guests. " The man 
 does not live who can entrap me." 
 
 "The woman does," thought Nell, as, 
 
 mock-heroically, she placed near her lips 
 
 a reed-pipe which she had snatched from 
 
 a musician in the midst of the fun; and, 
 
 [ 2IO ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a 4e-yy 
 
 whistling a merry tune .vh'cd rhe pipe 
 took no part in, she circled about the 
 room, making quite a wizard's exit. 
 
 The ladies, heart and soul in the fun, 
 fell into lineand followed, as ifspell-bound 
 by the magic of the Piper. 
 
 Charles, James, Rochester and the gal- 
 lants, who remained, each of whom had 
 been in turn deserted by his fair lady, 
 unmasked and looked at one another in 
 wonderment. Of one accord, they burst 
 into a peai of laughter. 
 
 "Sublime audacity," exclaimed 
 Charles. "Who is this curled darling— 
 this ball-room Adonis.? Ods-pitikins, we 
 are in the sear and yellow leaf" 
 
 "Truly, Sire," said James, dryly, "I 
 myself prefer a gathering of men only." 
 
 "Brother James," forthwith impor- 
 tuned the King, waggishly, "will you fa- 
 vour me with your lily-white hand for the 
 next dance? I am driven to extremity." 
 
 "Pardon, Sire," replied James, quite 
 humorously for him, " I am engaged to 
 a handsomer man." 
 
 "Odsfish," laughed Charles, "King 
 [ ^11 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 Charles of KTigland a wall-riower. Come, 
 Rochester, my cpita[)li." 
 
 The King threw liimself into a chair, in 
 an attitude of hopeless resignation, quite 
 delicious. 
 
 Rochester perked up with the conceit 
 and humour of the situation. With the 
 utmost dignity, and with the quizzical, 
 pinched brow of the labouring muse, halt- 
 ing at each line, he said: 
 
 "Here lies our sovereign lord, the Kin?. 
 IVhose word no man relies on ; 
 IVho never said a foolish thing. 
 And never did a wise one ! " 
 
 The post-mortem verse was sufficiently 
 subtle and clever to revive the King's 
 drooping spirits; and he joined heartily 
 in the applause. 
 
 "The matter," he said, approvingly, 
 "is easily accounted for — my discourse is 
 my own, my actions are my Ministry's." 
 
 There was a frou-frou of petticoats. 
 The hostess entered gaily. 
 
 "The King! The courtiers! Un- 
 masked!" she exclaimed, in coy reproof. 
 [ 212 ] 
 
^ Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 "Fy, fy, yoi-r Majesty! For shame! Gal- 
 lants! Are you children that I must pair 
 you off?" 
 
 "We arc seeking consolation," sug- 
 gested Charles, dryly; "for modest souls 
 have small chance to-night, Louise." 
 
 He nodded significantly in the direc- 
 tion of the great ball-room, where the 
 chatter of women's voices betokened the 
 unrivalled popularity of Nell. 
 
 "When did you turn modest. Sire?" 
 slyly inquired Portsmouth, with a look 
 of love. 
 
 " When I was out-stripped in audacitv 
 by yon Hibernian youtli," replied the 
 King, seriously. "Who is tiiis peacock 
 you are introducing?" 
 
 A peal of laughtei f'-om without punift- 
 uated the King's speech. It was the re- 
 ward of a wit-thrust from Nell. 
 
 "The Piper the maids would now un- 
 mask? " queried Portsmouth, rapturously. 
 "Marry, 'tis the fascinating Beau Adair 
 of Cork, entertaining the ladies. Oh, he 
 is a love. Sire; he does not sulk in corners 
 See! See!" 
 
 [ 213 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 She pointed toward the archway, 
 through which Nell was plainly visible. 
 She was strutting jauntily back, and forth 
 upon the promenade. It is unnecessary to 
 say that she was escorted by the assembled 
 fair ones. 
 
 As Nell caught the eye of the hostess 
 in the distance, she gaily tossed a kiss to 
 her. 
 
 " 'Sdeath, that I were a woman to hope 
 for one of his languishing smiles," ob- 
 served Buckingham. 
 
 "Even the old hens run at his call," 
 sneered the pious James, in discontent; 
 for he too had been deserted by his lady- 
 love and even before the others. 
 
 The King looked at his brother with 
 an air of bantering seriousness, to the de- 
 light of all assembled. 
 
 " Brother James is jealous of the old 
 ones only," he observed. "You know his 
 favourites are given him by his priests for 
 penance." 
 
 A merry ripple ran through the group. 
 
 The hostess took advantage of the 
 King's speech to make a point. 
 
 [ 214 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 "And you are jealous of the young 
 ones only," she said, slyly, quickly adding 
 as a bid for jealousy: "Pooh, pooh! Le 
 Beau had letters to me. Sire. Nay, we do 
 not love him very much. We have not 
 as yet had time." 
 
 "Alas, alas," sighed Charles, with 
 drooping countenance, "that it should 
 come to this." 
 
 "My liege, I protest — " cried Ports- 
 mouth, hastily, fearful lest she might have 
 gone too far. "To-night is the first I ever 
 saw the youth. I adore you. Sire." 
 
 "Not a word!" commanded Charles, 
 with mock-heroic mien. He waved hi^ 
 hand imperatively to his followers. 
 "Friends," he continued, "we will mix 
 masks and dominoes and to't again to 
 drown our sorrow." 
 
 "In the Thames.?" inquired James, 
 facetiously for him. 
 
 "Tush! In the punch-bowl, pious 
 
 brother! " protested the Merry Monarch, 
 
 with great dignity. "You know, a very 
 
 little water will drown even a king." 
 
 The gallants mixed masks and domi- 
 
 r 2iq 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 noes in obedience to the royal wish. The 
 King, sighing deeply, cast a hopeless 
 glance at Portsmouth, not without its 
 tinge of humour. He then sauntered 
 slowly toward the windows of the great 
 ball-room, followed subserviently by all 
 the courtiers, save Buckingham, who was 
 lost in converse with player Hart. 
 
 "Hark ye," suddenly broke off Buck- 
 ingham, observing the approach of Adair 
 and his adorers, "here come again the 
 merry maskers. By Bacchus, the li ttle ban- 
 tam still reigns supreme. The King and 
 liis gallants in tears. Let us join the mourn- 
 ers. Master Hart." 
 
 As the Duke and the player, the former 
 assuming a fraternal air for an end of hia 
 own, joined the royal group, Nell re-en- 
 tered gaily, every inch the man. She was 
 still surrounded by the ladies, who, flut- 
 tering, flattering and chattering, hung 
 upon her every word. With one hand she 
 toyed with her mask, which she had good- 
 naturedly dropped as none were about 
 who knew her. She clapped it, however, 
 quickly to her eyes at sight of the King. 
 [ 216] 
 
A Merry rale of a Merry rime 
 
 he said, with spirit, as she held court in 
 the centre oftheroom.-I assure you I 
 am not used to such attention -from the 
 iaaies. 
 
 "Our hospitality is beggarly to your 
 deserts," sjghed Portsmouth, who^had 
 joined the bevy, but loud enough lor the 
 i^ing to hear. ^ 
 
 ,n"^°".'^^T'f, °'^''P°wer me. Duchess," 
 answered Nell, modestly, addmg for the 
 sansfaftion of her own sense of humour- 
 No wonder we men are fools, if you 
 women talk like this." ^ 
 
 While she was speaking. Lady Ham- 
 ilton whispered facetiously in Ports- 
 mouth s ear. ' 
 
 "Beau Adair married .'"exclaimed the 
 Uuchess, m response. "It cannot be He 
 looks too gay for a married man." 
 
 'No confidences, my pretty ones" 
 observed Nell, reprovingly ^ ' 
 
 The hostess hesitated ; then she out with 
 It in a merry strain. 
 
 "Lady Hamilton asks after the wife 
 you left at home." 
 
 [ 217 ] 
 
I I — _^- 
 
 Mistress Nell 
 
 "My wife!" cried Nell, in astonish- 
 ment; for this phase of her masquerading 
 had not presented itself to her before. 
 "Great Heavens, I have no wife — I as- 
 sure you, ladies!" 
 
 "So?" observed Portsmouth, her curi- 
 osity awakened. "Modest — for a bache- 
 lor." 
 
 "A bachelor!" exclaimed Nell, now 
 fully en rapport with the spirit of the situ- 
 ation. "Well, — not exadly a bachelor 
 either, — ladies." 
 
 "Alack-a-day," sighed Lady Hamil- 
 ton, with a knowing glance at her com- 
 panions, "neither a bachelor nor a mar- 
 ried man ! " 
 
 "Well, you see — " explained Nell, 
 adroitly, "that might seem a trifle 
 queer, but — I'm in mourning — deeply 
 in mourning, ladies." 
 
 She drew a kerchief from her dress 
 and feigned bitter tears. 
 
 "A widower!" tittered Lady Hamil- 
 ton, heartlessly. "Our united congratu- 
 lations, sir." 
 
 The other ladies one by one sobbed 
 [ 218 1 
 
ji^^^^^ryjTalcjf^aJdcrry rime 
 
 tenderly, however, lest thcv miVht re 
 
 move the nch colour fron-th^eircCk. 
 
 Mesdames sa,d Nell, reprovingly, 
 ^^the memory .sacred. ^.X^J, ^e, very 
 
 ingbut':"i;.'^""'^°""^g^'"'°--P- 
 " The memory is always sacred — with 
 
 men observed Portsmouth, for the b^e- 
 °{her guests, not exceptin;. the Irish 
 youth. "Nay, tell us the name^of the fS 
 one who left you so young. My hea 
 goes out to you, dear Beau." ^ 
 
 "Kind hostess," replied Nell assum 
 ing her tenderest tones, .,e n'ameTf 
 my departed self is- Nell ' " 
 
 Hart caught the word'. The player 
 
 and on the honeyed words of the Duke 
 of Buckingham, who was preparing the 
 way that he might use hin*. ^ 
 
 thj;tmer'' '""""^'- "^'^° -^P^ke 
 The hostess too was startled 
 "Nell!" she e.vdaimed, with contend- 
 
 r _ - -I 
 
 L ''9 ; 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 ing emotions. "Strange! Another cava- 
 lier who graces mon hal masque to-night 
 has lost a loved one who' e name is Nell. 
 Ah, but she was unworthy of his noble 
 
 love." 
 
 She spoke pointedly at the masked 
 King, who started perceptibly. 
 
 "Yes," he thought; for his conscience 
 smote him, "unworthy — he of her." 
 
 " Unworthy, truly, if '■•■■ dances =o soon 
 and his own Nell dead,' added Nell, rc- 
 fledtivcly, but so that all might hear, 
 more especially Charles. 
 
 "Pe-chance Nell too thinks so, 
 thought he, as he restlessly walked away, 
 sighing: " 1 wish 1 were with her on the 
 
 terrace." , xt n 
 
 "'Sdeath, Duchess," contmued Nell 
 abruptly, in assumed horror at the sud- 
 den thought, "the lady's spirit may visit 
 the ball, to the confusion of us all. Such 
 things have been." 
 
 "The Nell I mean," said Portsmouth, 
 with a confident smile, "will not ven- 
 ture here, e'en in spirit." 
 
 Nell assumed a baby-innocence of face. 
 [ 220 j 
 
___AJderry Talc of a Merry Time 
 
 " ^'^he has not beiiTbJdd^^iJTrcsuri^'' 
 she queried. 
 
 " The vixen would not stop for asking " 
 declared Portsmouth, almost fiercely. 
 
 "Come without asking?" cried Nell 
 as if she could not believe that there could 
 be such people upon the earth. " How ill- 
 bred! 1 hine ear, loved one. My Nell re- 
 visits the world again at midnight. The 
 rendezvous— St. James's Park." 
 
 Hart brushed dose enough to the 
 group, ,n his biting curiosity, to catch 
 her half-whisper to Portsmouth. He at 
 once sought a window and fresh air, chaf- 
 ing with surprise and indignation at what 
 he had overheard. 
 
 "St. James's at midnight," he mut- 
 tered. " 'T is my Nell's abode." 
 
 The Duchess herself stood stunned at 
 what appeared to her a possible revelation 
 of great import. 
 
 "St James's!" she thought. "Can he 
 mean Madame Gwyn.? No, no!" 
 
 The look of suspicion which for an in- 
 stant had clouded her face changed to one 
 ot merriment, under Adair'smagicglance. 
 
 [ 221 j 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 " And you would desert me for such a 
 flcshless sprite?" she asked. 
 
 "Not so," said Nell, with a winning 
 look; "but, when my better-half returns 
 to life, I surely cannot refuse an interview 
 
 especially an she come from atar." 
 
 Nell's eyes arose with an expression of 
 sadness, while her finger pointed down- 
 ward in the direction of what she deemed 
 theprobableabodeof her departed "Nell." 
 Her lips twitched in merriment, however, 
 despite her efforts to the contrary ; and the 
 hostess fell a-laughing. 
 
 " Ladies," she cried, as she appealed to 
 one and all, "is not le Beau a delight- 
 so different from ordinary men?" 
 
 " I am not an ordinary man, I assure 
 you," Nell hastened to declare. 
 
 This assertion was acquiesced in by a 
 buzz of pretty compliments from the en- 
 tire bevy of ladies. "Positively charm- 
 ing!" exclaimed one. "A perfect love!" 
 said another. 
 
 Nell listened resignedly. 
 "'Sheart," she said, at length, with an 
 air of ennui, "I cannot help it. 'Tis all 
 
 r nno 1 
 
 i 
 
^^rryTale^a Merry Time 
 
 part of being a man, Tmrknow'.'' 
 
 "Would that all men were like you 
 Ic Beau! sighed the hostess, not forget- 
 ting to glance at the King, who again sat 
 disconsolate, in the midst of his attendant 
 courtiers, drawn up, as in line of battle 
 agamst the wall. 
 
 "Heaven help us if they were!"slylv 
 suggested Nell. ^ ^ 
 
 Rochester, who h.ad been watchinir 
 the scene in his mischievous, artistic way 
 drew from Portsmouth's compliment to 
 Adair another meaning. He was a mix- 
 ture twixt a man of arts and letters and 
 batan s own- a man after the King's own 
 heart. Turning to the Kin-, with no de- 
 sire to appease the mischief done, he said 
 bantermgly: ' 
 
 "Egad, there's a rap at vou, Sire 
 trance would make you jealous." 
 
 The Duke of Buckingham too, though 
 he appeared asleep, had seen it all. 
 
 "And succeeds, methinks," he re- 
 i ' glancing approvingly in the di- 
 
 n "r .:,^'= I"sh youth. "A good 
 ally, 1 faith. ° 
 
 "'J j 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 Nell, indeed, was using all her arts of 
 fascination to ingratiate herself with the 
 Duchess, and making progress, too. 
 
 " Your eyes are glorious, fair hostess," 
 she said, in her most gallant love-tones, 
 "did I not see my rival in them." 
 
 She could not, however, look at Ports- 
 mouth for laughter, as she thought: "I 
 believe lying goes with the breeches; I 
 never was so proficient before." 
 
 The compliment aroused the King's 
 sluggish nature. 
 
 "I can endure no more, gallants," cried 
 he, with some pretence of anger, rising 
 abruptly, followed, of course, in each 
 move and grimace by his courtier-apes, 
 in their desire to please. "Are we to be 
 out-done in ourown realm by this usurper 
 with a brogue? Ha! The fiddlers! Ma- 
 dame, I claim the honour of this fair hand 
 for the dance." 
 
 At the sound of the music, he had 
 stepped gallantly forward, taking the 
 hostess's hand. 
 
 "My thanks, gallant masker," replied 
 the Duchess, pretending not to know 
 [ 224 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 him for flattery's sake, "but I am — " 
 
 Tohersurprise,shehadnoopportunity 
 to complete the sentence. 
 
 "Engaged ! Engaged ! " interposed 
 Nell, commg unceremoniously between 
 them, with swaggering assumption and 
 an eye-shot at the King through the por- 
 tal of her mask. " Forsooth, some other 
 time, strange sir." 
 
 The hostess stood horrified. 
 " Pardon, Sir Masker," she hastened to 
 explam; "but the dance was pledged — " 
 "No apologies, Duch-iss," replied the 
 Kmg, as he turned away, carelessly, with 
 the reflection: "All's one to me at this 
 assemblage." 
 
 He crossed the room, turning an instant 
 to look, with ahumorous,quizzicalglance 
 at Portsmouth. Nell mistook the glance 
 for a jealous one and, perking up quickly, 
 caught the royal eye with a challenging 
 eye, tapping her sword-hilt meaningly. 
 Had the masks been oiF, the situation 
 would have differed. As it was, the King 
 smiled indifferently. The episode did not 
 aftedt him further than to touch his sense 
 [ 225 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 i 
 
 li 'i 
 
 of humour. Nell turned triumphantly to 
 her partner. 
 
 "Odsbud," she exclaimed, with a de- 
 licious, youthful swagger, " we may have 
 to measure swords in your behalf, dear 
 hostess. I trow the fellow loves you." 
 
 "Have a care," whispered the Duch- 
 ess, nervously. " It is the King." 
 
 "What care I for a king?" saucily 
 replied Nell, with a finger-snap. She 
 had taken good care, however, to speak 
 very low. "My arm, my arm. Duchess ! " 
 she continued, with a gallant step. 
 "Places, places; or the music will out- 
 strip us." 
 
 " Strut on, my pretty bantam," thought 
 Buckingham, whose eyes lost little that 
 might be turned to his own advantage; 
 "I like you well." 
 
 There was no mending things at this 
 stage by an apology. The Duchess, there- 
 fore, tactfully turned the aifair into one 
 of mirth, in which she was quickly joined 
 by her guests. With a merry laugh, she 
 took the Irish gallant's proffered arm, 
 and together they led the dance. The 
 [ 226 ] 
 
_^^£ Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 King picked a lady indifferently from 
 among the maskers. 
 
 It was a g .ceful old English measure. 
 -Nells roguish wits, as well as her feet 
 kept pace with the music. She assured 
 her partner that she had never loved a 
 woman m all her life before and followed 
 this with a hundred merry jests and sallies 
 keyed to the merry fiddles, so full of blar- 
 ney that all were set a-laughing. Anon, 
 the gallants drew their swords and crossed 
 them m the air, while the ladies tiptoed 
 in and out. Nell's blade touched the 
 King s blade. When all was ended the 
 swords saluted with a knightly flourish 
 then tapped the floor. 
 
 There was an exultant laugh from one 
 and all, and the dance was done. 
 
 Nell hastened to her partner's side She 
 caught the Duchess's hand and kissed it. 
 " You dance divinely, your grace," she 
 said. " A goddess on tiptoe." 
 
 "Oh, Beau Adair!" replied the Duch- 
 ess, courtesying low; and her eyes showed 
 that she was not wholly displeased at the 
 warmth of his youthful adoration. 
 
 r 227 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "Oh, Duchess!" said Nell, fondly, ac- 
 knowledging the salute. 
 
 The Duchess hastened to join his Maj- 
 esty and together they threaded their way 
 through many groups. 
 
 Nell tossed her head. 
 
 " How I love her! " she muttered, veil- 
 ing the sarcasm under her breath. 
 
 She crossed the great room, her head 
 eredt. Her confidence was quite restored. 
 This had been the most difficult bit of 
 adling she had ever done; and how well 
 it had been done! 
 
 The other dancers in twos and threes 
 passed from the room in search of quiet 
 corners, in which to whisper nothings. 
 
 Nell's eyes fell upon Strings, who had 
 had a slight turn for the better in the 
 world and who now, in a dress of some- 
 what substantial green, was one of the 
 fiddlers at the Duchess's ball. 
 
 " How now, iirrah ! " she said, sharply, 
 as she planted herself firmly before him 
 to his complete surprise. " I knew you 
 were here." 
 
 She placed one of her feet in a devil- 
 [ 228 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a M erry Time 
 
 may -care fashion upon a convenient chair 
 in manly contempt of its upholstery and 
 peeped amusedly through her mask at 
 her old friend. He looked at her in blank 
 amazement. 
 
 "Gads-bobh^" he exclaimed, in con- 
 fusion, "the Irish gentleman knows me!" 
 
 "There's nothing like your old fiddle. 
 Strings," continued Nell, still playing 
 with delight upon his consternation. "It 
 fills me with forty dancing devils. If you 
 were to play at my wake, I would pick 
 up my roud, and dance my way into 
 Parad' . 
 
 "Your lordship has danced to my fid- 
 dling before.? " he gasped, in utter amaze- 
 ment. 
 
 "Danced!" gleefully cried Nell. "I 
 have followed your bow through a thou- 
 sand jigs. To the devil with these court- 
 steps I'mfor ajigjigjigjigjig. Oh, 
 1 mtor ajig! Tune up, tune up, comrade; 
 and we'll have a touch of the old days 
 at the King's House." 
 
 "The King's House ! Jigs ! " exclaimed 
 the fiddler, now beside himself, 
 r 22n 1 
 
Mistress NeH 
 
 "Jigs!" chuckled Nell. "Jigs are my 
 line of business." 
 
 Oranges, will you have my oranges? 
 
 Sweet as love-lips, dearest mine. 
 Picked by Spanish maids divine, — 
 
 The room had now quite cleared; and, 
 protefted by a friendly alcove, Nell punft- 
 uated the old song with a few happily 
 turned jig-steps. Strings looked at her a 
 moment in bewilderment: then his face 
 grew warm with smiles; the mystery was 
 explained. 
 
 "Mistress Nell, as I live," he cried, 
 joyously, "turned boy!" 
 
 " The devil fly away with you, you old 
 idiot! Boy, indeed!" replied Nell, indig- 
 nantly. "I'm a full-grown widower!" 
 
 She had removed her mask and was 
 dancing about Strings gleefully. 
 
 There was the sound of returning 
 voices. 
 
 "Oons, you will be discovered," ex- 
 claimed Strings, cautiously. 
 
 "Marry, I forgot," whispered Nell, 
 glancing over her shoulder. "You may 
 
 [ ^30 3 
 
A Merry Tale of g M erry Time 
 
 have to help me out o' this scrape, Strings 
 before the night is done." 
 
 "You can count on me, Mistress Nell, 
 with life," he replied, earnestly. 
 
 "I believe you ! " said Nell, in "her sym- 
 pathetic, hearty w^ay. Her mind reverted 
 to the old days when Strings and she were 
 at the King's. "Oh, for just one jig with 
 no petticoats to hinder." 
 
 Nell, despite herself, had fallen into an 
 old-time jig, with much gusto, for her 
 heart was for a frolic always, when Strings 
 seized her arm in consternation, point- 
 ing through the archway. 
 
 "The King!" she exclaimed. 
 
 She clapped her mask to her eyes and 
 near tumbled through the nearest arras out 
 of the room in her eagerness to escape 
 dragging her ever-faithful comrade with 
 her. 
 
 ^^^ 
 
«»5 
 
 CHAPTE R XIII 
 
 For the glory of E land? 
 
 1 HE King entered the room with his 
 historic stride. His brow wasclouded; but 
 It was all humorous pretence, for trifles 
 were not wont to weigh heavily upon his 
 Majesty. With him came Portsmouth. 
 
 "Can you forgive me, Sire.?" she 
 asked. " I had promised the dance to Beau 
 Adair. I did not know you, Sire; you 
 masked so cleverly." 
 
 "'Sdeath, fair flatterer!" replied the 
 King. "I hive lived too long to worry 
 o'er the freaks of women." 
 
 "The youth knew not to whom he 
 spoke," still pleaded Portsmouth. "His 
 introduction here bespeaks his pardon. 
 Sire." 
 
 The King looked sardonic, but his 
 laugh had a human ring. 
 
 "He is too pretty to kill," he de- 
 clared, dramatically. " We '11 forgive him 
 r 2^2 1 
 
A Merry Tale ofTNui^^^^^Ti^ 
 
 iously! "°"^ "'^'^ Portsmouth, anx- 
 "It is late," he replied 
 "Not while the King is here" she 
 
 s.ghed. "Night comes only when he de! 
 psrts. 
 
 "Your words are sweet," said Charles 
 thoughtfully observing her. ' 
 
 She sighed again. 
 "My thoughts stumble in your 
 
 K ufv"'?-:'^'-^g'-«i'^^v-not 
 
 iinglish blood withm my veins " 
 "And why?" 
 
 ,C7^ ^'"^ '^""''^ '■■"'* ^"'^ Jove me 
 then. He does not now. I am French and 
 powerless to do him good." 
 
 There was a touch of honest sadness 
 m her speech which awakened the Kinjr's 
 sympathy. ^ 
 
 « V ■ -^t^'" ^"^ s^''^ Jiastily, to comfort her; 
 tis thy fancy Thy entertainment hath 
 
 ""'^x^f "'H-'°^°"'^ ^"d Louise." 
 
 Think not of Louis and Louise," she 
 
 said, sadly and reproachfully, "but of thy 
 
 dear self and England's glory. For shame! 
 
 i. - j j 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 Ah, Sire, my childhood-dreams were of 
 sunny France, where I was born; at Ver- 
 sailles — at Fontainebleau among the 
 monarch trees — my early womanhood 
 sighed for love. France gave me all but 
 that. It lame not till I saw the English 
 King!" 
 
 The siren of the Nile never looked 
 more bewitchingly beautiful than this 
 siren of France as she half reclined upon 
 the couch, playing upon the King's heart 
 with a bit of memory. His great nature 
 realized her sorrow and encompassed it. 
 
 "And am I not good to thee, child?" 
 he asked. He took her hand and responded 
 to her eyes, though not with the tender- 
 ness of love — the teiiderness for which 
 she sought. 
 
 "You are good to none," she replied, 
 bitterly ; " for you are not good to Charles." 
 
 " You speak enigmas," he said, curious. 
 
 "Have you forgotten your promise.? " 
 she asked, naively. 
 
 "Nay; the passport, pretty one?" he 
 answered, amused at the woman's wiles. 
 " All this subterfuge of words for that ! 
 
 [ 234 ] 
 
He smiled kindly as he took the r,ass 
 port from h.s girdle, handed it to her and 
 turned to take his leave ^'°^^'^^^ 
 
 said '^L^';;'.tT^'°"-''^-^'^y'S'<' she 
 
 sam, h..„ly; for her mission was not vef 
 
 ZTZ '"' ^^^ -gh^ was now 7e 
 gone. Passports are trifles. Will you no 
 
 W^the Dutch to Louis and hisTmyl 
 
 She placed her arms about his neck 
 and looked enticingly into his eyes. "' 
 am, he replied, kindly, "mvDeonle 
 demand that I intervene ^^nds^ta^X 
 brother Louis's aggressive hand;" ^ ^ 
 cov t'^ people king.? "she asked, with 
 coy nsinuation. "Do they know be^rfor 
 
 and^ ^e ' ^tT'^ ""ly' ^'- ^' ^^ y°- good 
 and theirs, I beseech, no more royal svm 
 
 Pathy for Holland. I speak to aTod^eT 
 
 tanglementsforKingcLlesandtomake' 
 his reign the greater. I bve you Sire " 
 
 gwtfrgt^,^- 
 
 His Majesty was influenced by her 
 
 r - _ 
 i. 'J5 j 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 beauty and her arts, — what man would 
 not be? — but more by the sense of what 
 she said. 
 
 " For the glory of England?" he asked 
 himself "True, my people are wrong. 
 'Tis better we remain aloof No wars!" 
 
 He took the seat by the table, which 
 the Duchess offered him, and scanned 
 casually the parchment which she handed 
 to him. 
 
 Nell peered between the curtains. 
 Strings was close behind her. 
 
 " Bouillon's signature for France," 
 mused the King. "Tis well! No more 
 sympathy for the Dutch, Louise, until 
 Holland sends a beauty to our court to 
 outshine France's ambassador." 
 
 He locked at Portsmouth, smiled and 
 signed the instrument, which had been 
 prepared, as he thought, in accordance 
 with his wishes and direttions. He then 
 carelessly tossed the sand over the signa- 
 ture to blot il. 
 
 The fair Duchess's eyes levealed all the 
 things which all the adjeftives of all the 
 lands ever meant. 
 
 [ 236 ] 
 
Sire "I'r V^^y~^^'"^ "^""b^ 
 
 He sat complacently looking into her 
 
 arts oflove. He was fascinated with her 
 
 t.strue;butitwaswithherbeauty flat- 
 tery and sophistry, not her heart ^ 
 
 1 beheve thou dost Jove England and 
 
 ^^ Portstnouth leaned fondly over his 
 
 "One more request," she said, with 
 
 modest m.en «a very little one, Sire " 
 ^1 he King laughed buoyantly. 
 
 Nay, an I stay here," he said, "thy 
 
 thvi?tir •r"y'^'"g'^"'"-'wf^«tii 
 
 V^j ^ W'sh, sweet sovereign?" 
 
 o-,„° '"°'".^/ar''aments in England 
 ^ire, she said, softly. ^ ' 
 
 . "What, woman!" he exclaimed ris 
 ■ng, half-aghast, half-humorour't he 
 
 srt:'°^^^'°°^^^-°p^"--f 
 
 [ 237 J 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "To cross the sway of thy great royal 
 state-craft," she continued, quickly fol- 
 lowing up the advantage which her 
 woman's wit taught her she had gained. 
 "The people's sufferings from taxation 
 spring from Parliament only. Sire." 
 
 " 'T is true," agreed Charles, decisively. 
 
 Portsmouth half embraced him. 
 
 "For the people's good, Sire," she 
 urged, "for my sweetest kiss." 
 
 " You are mad," said Charles, yet three- 
 fourths convinced; "my people " 
 
 " Will be richer for my kiss," the Duch- 
 ess interrupted, wooingly, "and their 
 King, by divine right and heritage, will 
 rule untrammelled by country clowns, 
 court knaves and foolish lords, who now 
 make up a silly Parliament. With such 
 a King, England will be better with no 
 Parliament to hinder. Think,Sire, think!" 
 
 "I have thought of this before," said 
 Charles, who had often found Parliament 
 troublesome and, therefore, useless. "The 
 taxes will be less and contention saved." 
 
 "Why hesitate then?" she asked. 
 "This hour's as good for a good deed as 
 any." [ 238 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 inquiringly, as he took the second parch- 
 ment from her hands. "Heaven direft my 
 judgment for my people's good. I ,ign." 
 
 The treaties which Louis XIV of 
 France had sent the artful beauty to pro- 
 cure lay signed upon her desk. 
 
 Nell almost pulled fhe portieres from 
 their hangings in her . citement. 
 
 «TU .'^'^^ t'lose papers," she bought. 
 1 here s no good brewing." 
 Portsmouth threw her arms about the 
 King and kissed him passionately 
 
 "Now, indeed, has England a great 
 Kmg she said, adding to herself: "And 
 that King Louis's slave!" 
 
 Charles smiled and took his leave As 
 
 he passed through the portal, he wiped 
 
 his hps, good-humouredly muttering- 
 
 Portsniouth's kisses and Nell's do not 
 
 mix well. 
 
 Portsmouth listened for a moment to 
 his departing footsteps, then dropped 
 into the chair by the table and hastily 
 tolded and addressed the papers. 
 
 Her mission was ended! 
 [ 239 ] 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 s« 
 
 He loves mi! He loves me! 
 
 N] 
 
 I ELL, half draped in the arras, had 
 seen the kiss in reality bestowed by Ports- 
 mouth but as she thought bestowed by the 
 King. As his Majesty departed through 
 the door at the opposite end of the room, 
 the colour came and went in her cheeks. 
 She could scarce breathe. 
 
 Portsmouth sat unconscious of all but 
 her own grand achiev^ement. She had ac- 
 complished what shrewd statesmen had 
 failed to bring about; and this would be 
 appreciated, she well knew, by Louis. 
 
 '"Sdeath!" muttered Nell to herself, 
 hotly, as, with quite a knightly bearing, 
 she approached the Duchess. " He kisses 
 her before my very eyes! He kisses hei ! 
 I'll kill the minx!" She half unsheathed 
 her blade. "Pshaw! No! No! I am too 
 gallant to kill the sex. I '11 do the very 
 manly adt and simply break her heart. 
 [ 240 ] 
 
A Merry rIk^ f7M^^^pf~ 
 
 Aye, that is true bravery in bTi^d^^^ 
 "er manner changed 
 ;;Your grace!" she said suavely. 
 Yes, answered Portsmouth, her eves 
 still gleammg triumphantly ^ 
 
 vours?"'""' ^°" ^'^ ^^"''' °^ y^"-- f^- 
 
 "Yes." 
 . 'Such a gift from lips less fair " con- 
 tinued Nell, all in wooing vein, ' 'wou"d 
 make a beggar royal." 
 
 The ho-:ss was tc xhed with the 
 phrasing of the compliment. She smiled. 
 
 ftir? " "k "^""'^ ''" P^""^^'^ '° think me 
 fair.? she coyly asked, with the air of 
 
 one convmced that it could not well be 
 otherwise. 
 
 von "t''''?M",/°" ^"'^^ g^"^"' thinks 
 y°"V ^']^^ Nell, with an angry toss of 
 
 King. Charles's kiss upon her lips? " she 
 
 thought. «'T.s mine, and I will favek" 
 In the twinkling of an eye, she threw 
 both arms wildly about the neck of the 
 asonished hostess and kissed her force! 
 fully upon the lips. Then, with a ringing 
 [ 241 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 laugh, tinged with triumph, she stepped 
 back, assuming a defiant air. 
 
 The Duchess paled with anger. She rose 
 quickly and, turning on the pretty youth, 
 exclaimed: "Sir, what do you mean?" 
 
 "Tilly-vally!" replied the naughty 
 Nell, in her most winning wav. "A frown 
 upon that alabaster brow, a pout upon 
 those rosy lips; and all for nothing!" 
 
 "■Parbleu!" exclaimed the indignant 
 Duchess. " Your impudence is outrageous, 
 sir! We will dispense with your company. 
 Good night!" 
 
 "Ods-pitikins!" swaggered Nell, 
 feigning umbrage. "Angry because I 
 kissed you! You have no right, madame, 
 to be angry." 
 
 "No right.?" asked Portsmouth, her 
 feelings tempered by surprise. 
 
 " No right," repeated Nell, lirmly. " It 
 is I who should be outraged r... your anger." 
 
 "Explain, sir," said the Duchess, 
 haughtily. 
 
 Nell stepped toward the lady, and, as- 
 suming ' -r most tender tone, with wist- 
 ful, loviuj; eyes, declared; 
 [ 242 ] 
 
__J^_Merryjralejf a Merry Time 
 
 " f^ecause your graZ7^^7h^:;;7i^;7^_ 
 precation of what my temptation was to 
 KISS you. 
 
 J^^^ ,^l^^T'' .^°""fenance glowed 
 with dehght, despite herself. 
 
 "Tfaith, was there a temptation?" she 
 asked, quite mollified. 
 
 mI^? ,r^''^^^''".'"S passion," cried 
 Well following up her advantage. 
 
 And you were disappointed, sir?" 
 asked Portsmouth suggestively, her vanity 
 tailing captive to the sweet cajolery 
 
 "I only got yon courtier's kiss," sau- 
 cily pouted Nell, " so lately bestowed on 
 
 « Do you know whose kiss that was?" 
 inquired the Duchess. 
 
 "It seemed familiar," answered Nell 
 dryly. ' 
 
 "The King's," said Portsmouth 
 proudly. ' 
 
 "The King's!" cried Nell, opening 
 wide her eyes. "Take back your ki.s. I 
 would not have it." 
 
 ;; Indeed!" said Portsmouth, smiling. 
 1 is too volatile," charged Nell, de- 
 
 r 2A-? 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 cisi vely. " 'T is here, 't is there, 't is every- 
 where bestowed. Each rosy tavern-wench 
 with a pretty ankle commands it halt. A 
 kiss is the gift of God, the emblem of 
 true love. Take back the King's kiss; I 
 do not wish it." 
 
 " He does not love the King," thought 
 Portsmouth, ever on the lookout for ad- 
 vantage. "A possible ally!" 
 
 She turned upon the youth, with hu- 
 morous, mocking lip, and said reprov- 
 ingly: "A kiss is a kiss the world over, 
 fair sir; and the King's kisses are sacred 
 to Portsmouth's lips." 
 
 "Zounds," replied Nell, with a wicked 
 wink, " not two hours since, he bestowed 
 a kiss on Eleanor Gwyn " 
 
 "Nell Gwyn!" cried the Duchess, in- 
 terrupting; and she started violently. 
 
 "With oaths, mountains high," con- 
 tinued Nell, with pleasurable harshness, 
 "that his lips were only for her." 
 
 The Duchess stood speechless, quiver- 
 ing from top to toe. 
 
 Nell herself swaggered carelessly across 
 the room, muttering mischievously, as 
 
 [ 244 ] 
 
A Merry Ta/e of a Merry rime 
 
 '"^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 of her eye: "Methinks that speech went 
 
 home. ^ 
 
 "He kissed her in your presence?" 
 gasped Portsmouth, anxiously following 
 
 " I was not far off, dear Duchess," was 
 the quizzical reply. 
 " You saw the kiss? " 
 "No," answered Nell, dryly, and she 
 could scarce contain her merriment. "I_ 
 I— felt the shock." 
 
 Before she had finished the sentence, 
 the King appeared in the doorway His 
 troubled spirit had led him to return, to 
 peak further with the Duchess regarding 
 the purport of the treaties. He had the 
 good of his people at heart, and he was 
 not a little anxious in mind lest he had 
 been over-hasty in signing such weighty 
 articles without a more careful reading 
 He stopped short as he beheld, to his sur- 
 prise, the Irish spark Adair in earnest 
 converse with his hostess. 
 
 "I hate Nell Gwyn. ' he overheard the 
 Uuchcss say. 
 
 [ 245 ] 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 "Is't possible?" interrogated Nell 
 
 with wondering eyes. ' 
 
 The King caught this utterance as well 
 
 "In a passion over Nelly? " reflefted he 
 
 'I d sooner face Cromwell's soldiers at 
 
 Boscobel! All hail the oak!" 
 
 His Majesty's eye saw with a welcome 
 the spreading branches of the monarch of 
 the forest, outlined on the tapestry and 
 with a sigh of relief, he glided quickly 
 behmd it and, joining a group of maskers, 
 passed into an anteroom, quite out of 
 ear-shot. 
 
 " Most strange ! " continued Nell, won- 
 deringly. "Nell told me but yesterday 
 that Portsmouth was charming company 
 — but a small eater." ^ 
 
 " 'T is false," cried the Duchess, and her 
 brow clouded at the unpleasant memory 
 of the meeting at Ye Blue Boar. " I nev r 
 met the swearing orange-wench." 
 
 "Ods-pitikins!" acquiesced Nell, woe- 
 fully. "Nell's oaths are bad enough for 
 men." ° 
 
 "Masculine creature! "spitefully ejacu- 
 lated the Duchess. 
 
 [ 246 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a M^i^i^y~rhne ' 
 
 •J xr,'!^'. 'J"''*' masculine—of late" 
 said Nell, demurely, giving a significant 
 tug at her boot-top. ^ 
 
 "A vulgar player," continued the in- 
 dignant Duchess, "loves every lover who 
 wears gold lace and tosses coins " 
 
 "Nay; 'tis false! " denied Nell, sharply 
 
 The Duchess looked up, surprised ^ 
 
 Nell was all obeisance in an instant. 
 Pardon, dear hostess, a thousand par- 
 dons, she prayed; « but I have some rea- 
 son to know you misjudge Mistress Nell. 
 
 Sb^ot"-^"^''^"''^'^^^-- 
 
 "You seem solicitous for her good 
 
 name, dear Beau? " suggested Portsmouth 
 suspiciously. ' 
 
 " I amsolicitous for the name of all good 
 women, promptly explained Nell, who 
 was rarely caught a-napping, "or I would 
 
 The Duchess seemed satisfied with the 
 explanarion. 
 
 in ^l^T^^ ^^1"' "^^"^ ^" "^"^ c:,y^\x^r^ see 
 in that hornd creature? " archly asked the 
 
 [ 247 ] 
 
Mispress Nell 
 
 Duchess, contemptuous of this liking of 
 the ".ronger sex. 
 
 " Alack-a-day, we men, you know," 
 replied Nell, boastfully, "well — the best 
 of us make mistakes in women." 
 
 "Are you mistaken ? " questioned Ports- 
 mouth, coyly. 
 
 " What? " laughed Nell,in high amuse- 
 ment. " I love Nelly ? Nay, Duchess," and 
 her voice grew tender, " I adore but one !" 
 
 "And she?" asked the hostess, encour- 
 aging the youth's apparently awakening 
 passion. 
 
 "How can you ask?" said Nell, with 
 a deep sigh, looking adoringly into 
 Portsmouth's eyes and almost embrac- 
 ing her. 
 
 "Do you not fear?" inquired Ports- 
 mouth, well pleased. 
 
 "Fear what?" questioned Nell. 
 
 "My wrath," said Portsmouth. 
 
 "Nay, more, thy love!" sighed Nell, 
 meaningly, assuming a true lover's de- 
 jefted visage. 
 
 "My love!" cried Portsmouth, curi- 
 ously. 
 
 [ 248 ] 
 
. "Try •• said the Duchess, almost re.f 
 ■ng her head upon Nell's shouE 
 
 1 am aoing my best, said Nel'l her 
 eyes dancmg thn/ugh fistful lash es a 
 she embraced in earnest the n„^k ' 
 g-rf.l«g. ,,,-y J,; Duchess s 
 
 fV^tsrs^Xo^^rx- 
 
 forlorn and hopeless love ^ 
 . "Nay," laughed Portsmouth consol 
 'ngly, "they would sink a ship" '" 
 
 One would not," still pleaded Veil 
 determmed at all odds to hav'e the packet' 
 
 One! The Duchess's eves fell ,m 
 consc,ously upon the papers^wh ch she" 
 had bewitched from the King and wh kh 
 
 lay so near her heart. She starfedfirsrwith 
 r -. .„ 1 
 i. -+>' j 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 fear; and tlien her countenance assumed a 
 thoughtful cast. 
 
 There was no time now for delay. The 
 
 papers must be sent immediately. The 
 
 King might return and rctradil. Many a 
 
 battle, she knew, had been lost after it had 
 
 een won. 
 
 That night, at the Rainbow Tavern, 
 well out of reach of the town, of court 
 spies and gossips, Louis would have a 
 trusted one in waiting. His commission 
 was to receive news from various points 
 and transmit it secretly to France. It was 
 a ride of but a few hours to him. 
 
 She had purposed to send the packet 
 by her messenger in waiting; but he had 
 rendered her suspicious by his speech and 
 a(5tion in the late afternoon, and she ques- 
 tioned whether she Vi^ould be wise in trust- 
 ing him. Nor was she willing to risk her 
 triumph in the hands of Buckingham's 
 courier. It was too dear to her. 
 
 Indeed, she was clever enough to know 
 that state-secrets are often safer in the cus- 
 tody of a disinterested stranger than in the 
 hands of a friend, especially if the stranger 
 [ 250 ] 
 

 — . ' ^ — ^'*t r f y 
 
 be truly a s7;^c7^7n^7^- 
 
 . ^ Y ; ^" '""f^ed the ideal of 
 youth. ,„„oce„, honest and /n ; 
 
 "Why not?" she thought c , M, 
 
 f he reflected again npon &«■ 
 to be trusted."" Of Irf.h!^ ' 
 
 for the kin, , descent, no 'ov 
 
 tu^ned^:;rNetn1t^^ 
 agitation^in her vote '''"°'"''^'^"' 
 "Can I trust you?" 
 
 "TK- f , ^^* convinced. 
 
 I 251 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 Road, by sunrise, where one is waitii^g. 
 You '11 find his description on the packet." 
 
 Nell sheathed her sword. 
 
 " I know the place and road," she said, 
 earnestly, as she took the papers from the 
 Duchess's hand and placed them carefully 
 in her doublet. 
 
 A rustle of the curtains indicated that 
 some one had returned and was listening 
 by the arras. 
 
 "Hush!" cautioned Portsmouth. "Be 
 true, and you will win my love." 
 
 Nell did not reply, save to the glance 
 that accompanied the words. Snatching 
 her hat from a chair on which she had 
 tossed it, she started eagerly in the direc- 
 tion of the great stairs that led to the hall- 
 way below, where, an hour since, she had 
 been at first refused admission to the pal- 
 ace. Could she but pass again the guards, 
 all would be well; and surely there was 
 now no cause for her detention. Yet her 
 heart beat tumultuously — faster even 
 than when she presented herself with 
 Rochet's letter written by herself. 
 
 As she was hastening by the arras, 
 [ 252 ] 
 
JJderry tale ofTM^rr-y rime 
 
 her quick e7irwrve;77^;;;;^;^i;;dih; 
 
 Kngsi ,^^^ behind if; and she 
 
 halted m her course. She was alert wkh 
 a thousand maddening thoughts crowd- 
 
 1 he King returned — an eaves- 
 dropper!" she refleded. "lealous of 
 Portsmouth; his eyes follow h^er Where 
 
 are his vows to Nell? ni defame Nelfs 
 name drag her fair honour in the ^ 
 so, Charles, we '11 test your manliness and 
 
 PortsmoX"' ^'^ ^^""^ '^^-^'y - 
 "Madame," she exclaimed, in crisp 
 nervous tones, loud enough for the King^s' 
 
 I stood here, praising, honouring Eleanor 
 Gwyn_an apple rotten to the core' " 
 unden°o:e""^"^J^^"'^'^'^^'^-'-.'nan 
 His carelessness vanished upon the m 
 stant Where he had waited forTsinl' 
 
 e nl lis?"""^'' '^^ ^'^^^•"^ ^' -«'an 
 earnest listener. 
 
 Nell paused not. 
 
 [ ^5i ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 i 
 
 " I had a friend who told me he loved 
 Nell. I loved that friend. God knows I 
 loved him." 
 
 "Yes, yes!" urged Portsmouth, with 
 eagerness. 
 
 "A man of noble name and princely 
 
 ien," continued Nell, so standing that 
 the words went, like arrows, straight to the 
 King's ear and heart, "a man of honour, 
 who would have died fighting for Nell's 
 honour — " 
 
 "Misled youth," muttered Ports- 
 mouth. 
 
 Nell seemed not to hear the words. 
 
 " Who, had he heard a murmur of dis- 
 approval, a shadow cast upon her name, 
 woul( have sealed in death the presump- 
 tuous iips which uttered it." 
 
 "She betrayed his confidence?" asked 
 Portsmouth, breathlessly. 
 
 "Betrayed — and worse!" gesticulated 
 Nell, with the visage of a madman. "A 
 woman base, without a spark of kindli- 
 ness — an adventuress! This is the pidture 
 of that Eleanor Gwyn! Where is a cham- 
 pion to take up the gauntlet for such a 
 Nell?" [ 254 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of-, M^^^^^Yiii^ 
 
 ine Duchess saw h.m and cried out in 
 
 surpnse. Nell did not turn-only caugi" 
 a ch..r-top to save herself from falling^ 
 
 v.- ^T\ '''' ^^^^'"er!" he called, his 
 voice husky with passion. "Thou base 
 purveyo. of lies, answer me-me fo' 
 
 those words! I am Nell's chanipioniri 
 force you to own your slander T lie." 
 
 j he Kmg was terribly in earnest. 
 
 mouJh f^ '"i • ^.'^^ g"^'-d •' " "lied Ports- 
 mouth faintly, almost overcome by the 
 scene In her passion that the King so re- 
 
 thalld " '°'' 'r ^"' ^^^ <l-te'forgot 
 that Adair was the bearer of her packet 
 1 want no guard," commanded the 
 King. "An insult to Nell Gwyn is mv 
 cause alone." ^ *"> 
 
 Nell was in an elysium of ecstasy. She 
 realized nothing, saw nothing. ^ 
 
 . He loves me ! He loves me ! " her trem- 
 bl.ng lips breathed only. "He -11 fighX 
 
 "Come; draw and defend yourself" 
 angrily, critd the King. /"""^seit, 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 upon 
 
 Portsmouth screamed and fell 
 his arm. 
 
 It is doubtful what the result would 
 otherwise have been. True, Nell oft- 
 times had fenced with the King and 
 knew his wrist, but she was no swords- 
 woman now. Though she took up in her 
 delirium the King's challenge with a wild 
 cry, "Aye, draw and defend yourself!" 
 she realized nothing but his confession 
 of love for Nell. 
 
 The scene was like a great blur before 
 her eyes. 
 
 She rushed upon the King and by 
 him, she scarce knew how. Their swords 
 harmlessly clashed; that was all. 
 
 The cries had been taken up without. 
 
 "The guard ! The guard !" "Treason ! " 
 " Treason ! " 
 
 The air was alive with voices. 
 
 Nell ran up the steps leading to a French 
 window, which opened upon a tiny railed 
 balcony. Below, one story only, lay a soft 
 carpet of greensward, shimmering in the 
 moonlight. With her sword, she struck 
 the frail sash, which instantly yielded. 
 [ 256 ] 
 
 li 
 
Meantime, the room hadlilletr;^ 
 courtiers, guards and gallants, who had 
 rushed in, sword and spear in hand to 
 guard the King. 
 
 As the glass shivered and flew wide 
 under the point of Nell's blade, all eves' 
 turned toward her and all blades quiv- 
 ered threateningly in the air. 
 
 Buckingham was first to ascend the 
 steps m pursuit. He was disarmed — more 
 through the superiority of Nell's position 
 than through the dexterity of her wrist. 
 Ihen for the first time, she realized 
 iicr danger. Her eyes staring from their 
 sockets, she drew back from her murder- 
 ous pursuers, and, in startled accents, she 
 knew not why, screamed in supplication, 
 with hands uplifted: 
 
 "Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" 
 The storm was stayed. All paused to 
 hear what the stranger-youth would say. 
 Would he apologize or would he sur- 
 render? 
 
 The suspense was for but a second 
 thmigh It seemed an eternity to Nell. 
 The open window was behind. 
 [ 257 ] 
 
Mistress Ne// 
 
 With a parting glance at the trem- 
 bling blades, she turned quickly and with 
 reckless daring leaped the balcony. 
 
 "T'hell with ye!" was wafted back 
 in a rich brogue defiantly by the night. 
 
 Astonishment and consternation filled 
 the room; but the bird had flown. Some 
 said that the wicked farewell-speech had 
 been Adair's, and some said not. 
 
 How it all happened, no one could 
 tell, unless it was a miracle. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 I comt, my love; I come. 
 
 s9iff JhT'I^ ""'^''' "' '° 'P'^^ '"°^- 
 
 socket in the cosy drawing-room- and a 
 sjngle moonbeam found its iy in through 
 the draperies of the window leading to the 
 terrace and to St. James's Park ^'^' 
 
 Moll lay upon a couch asleep; but it 
 was a restless sleep. ^ 
 
 The voice of a town-crier resounded 
 Irs'lSr"''^P^^'^--"^'^"'g^t;and 
 
 abtXTd'wr'"''^''^^^^^^'" 
 ,nLT''^ "I'dnight crier'" she thought- 
 ?ace mT'k '""^^^ expression in\e; 
 nearly ou;:J^'='^"^^^-P-'^''^--clles 
 
 She jumped to her feet and hastily 
 ■ghted two or three of its more substan' 
 tul mates, of which there was an abun- 
 [ 259 ] 
 
Mistress Nr// 
 
 i'l 
 
 dance in the rich candelabra about the 
 room. 
 
 A cricket in a crevice startled her. She 
 ran to the window and looked anxiously 
 out upon the park, then hastened to the 
 door, with equal anxiety, lest it might 
 be unlocked. Every shadow w.is to her 
 feverish fancy a spirit of evil or of death 
 "1 wish Nell would come," she 
 thought. "The ghosts and skeletons 
 ta.rly swarm in this old house at mid- 
 night; and I am all alone to-night. It's 
 difFerent when Nell 's about. The goblins 
 are afraid of her merry laugh. Boo! I am 
 cold all over. I am afraid to stand still, 
 and 1 am afraid to move." 
 
 She ran again to the window and this 
 time pulled it open. The moonlight in- 
 stantly flooded the room, dimming the 
 candles which she had lighted. She saw 
 her shadow, and started back in horror 
 
 "Some one glided behind the old oak 
 in the park," she cried aloud, for the com- 
 pany of her voice, "Oh, oh! Nell will be 
 murdered ! I begged her not to go to Ports- 
 mouth s ball. She said she just wanted to 
 [ 260 J 
 
hud. She shut her eyes tight and prayed 
 harder. The objeft of her fear was^a loni 
 gray boot, wh.ch had been thrown in af 
 the w,ndo wand had fallen harmlessly 
 by her s.de. It was followed in an instant 
 d'eldfr''"^""^'""^'"^^'^^'^'!-"/ 
 
 .hf l-if""*^''^"/'' ""'"'''^^ by a friendly 
 shoulder then bounded over' the balus- 
 
 witMn ?h ''''I ^'^'^ '^ ^'gl^ of relief just 
 within the window-opening. It was Nell 
 
 murning from the 4rs; !he :: pa • 
 almost death-hke. The evening's excite^ 
 •TK^nt her daring escapade and more es- 
 pecially Its exciting finish had taken hold 
 ot her in earnest. Her dainty little self 
 
 tTemble'"^ ' P'"'''^" ^^' ^'^ '^^ °^^ 
 ^^ " Safe home at last ! " she cried wearily. 
 Heaven reward you, Strings." 
 From below the terrace, without the 
 [ 261 J 
 
tress jNell; and good sleep " 
 
 Nell .fi."'^!''' ^°'"'-^de,- answered 
 ,, ' ^' '^^ ^'most fell into the room 
 
 " IPray.ng for Nell," her trembling l.m 
 mechanically replied ^ ^ 
 
 • "H"mph!" cried' Nell, half faint 
 
 '"Ihe'reTr^ '""" "P'^" ''^'^ --"• 
 praying LV"'" '" '^''' ^''^ ^"'"'^ 
 Ke!sfngarr-"'"^'""^^"-=-'l 
 The command brought Moll to her 
 ZT 'h"'^K^' ^^^'''^^^ ''^^^ -^ -as really 
 
 ou I th°. ^^^T"*^.'*^"^ unceremoZ 
 ously She rushed to her for safety like 
 a frightened deer to the lake ^' 
 Nell, dear Nell!" she cried. "You 
 
 are ill 
 
 "Wine, wine 
 jrnptory tones fron/ the" halfrr'ed 
 
 ■say.'' again fell in per 
 
 mint 
 
 [ 262 ] 
 
JJferry Ta/e of a Merry Time 
 
 coaTlit '''°"''^" ^"'l h^'If "sed. petti- 
 
 diV " c7 "■'^ ^°""dcd; you are going to 
 aie, she cried. "Moll win k n P 
 
 in the world again " ^' '" '^'"'' 
 
 she^fin ^''"'^^^''ook more than Nell's as 
 she filled a glass half full of wine Ld 
 passed It to her mistress. ""^ 
 
 mandeHM' n"'"' ?'''' '° '^' ^"'^^" ^om- 
 
 rdttgt""^?i;:;:f..^'''^^p-p--^ 
 
 fashtn:'Ttel,fo;te;f '" ^^"^- 
 need lots o/stiL'u;;;iTg"''^-"'---^ 
 
 ^^^'^Vouareall of a tremble," continued 
 
 " Little wonder! " sighed Nell. " These 
 
 Mnii r J'^^'S^'^'i hysterically, while 
 
 Moll closed the window. "You s^e . 
 
 [ 263 J 
 
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Mistress Nell 
 
 never was a man before, and I had all that 
 lost time to make up_acres of oats to 
 scatter lu one little night. Open my 
 throat; I cannot breathe. Take off mv 
 sword The wars are done, I hope." She 
 startled Moll, who was encasing her 
 mistress's pretty feet in a pair of dainty 
 
 Moll, she contmued, "I was the gayest 
 mad-cap there. The sex were wild for me 
 
 Tf T r^ u ^^^"^ P°'"'^ of attack, lass. 
 it 1 had been seeking a mate, I could have 
 made my market of them all and started 
 a harem. 
 
 She seemed to forget all her dangers 
 past in the recolleftion. 
 J^^'<jked girl," said Moll, pouting re- 
 
 I " ^^1 L^*^ ''-'°"y roisterer, little one," 
 laughed Nell, in reply, as with cavalier- 
 strides she crossed the room. She threw 
 herself upon the table and proceeded to 
 boast of her doings for Moll's benefit 
 swinging her feet meanwhile. "I ran the' 
 gamut. I had all the paces of the truest 
 cavalier. I could tread a measure, swear 
 [ 264 ] 
 
he will dream aboS I'stef 'th'^K 
 
 KryTo"-^^"^^' ^ -y-' I could /y' 
 
 and whaled the astonleJ g° ^'^it 
 about the room, until she herself 7eeIeH 
 for want of breath TI.»„ "c-seu reeled 
 
 great carved oa£n-eL,v";hTS;Tnt"-' 
 
 "J only k. s" exulted Nell, "I made 
 [ 265 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 him swear his love for Nell to Ports- 
 mouth's face. I made him draw his sword 
 for Nell." 
 
 "Great Heavens!" exclaimed Moll 
 aghast. "You did not draw yourself? A 
 sword against the King is treason." 
 
 " Ods-bodikins, I know not ! " answered 
 Nell. "I know not what I did or said. I 
 was mad, mad! All I remember is: there 
 was a big noise— a million spears and 
 blunderbusses turned upon poor me! Gad! 
 I made a pretty target, girl." 
 
 "A million spears and blunderbusses!" 
 echoed Moll, her eyes like saucers. 
 
 " An army, child, an army ! " continued 
 Nell, in half-frantic accents. "X did not 
 stop to count them. Then, next I knew, 
 I was in my coach, with dear old Strings 
 beside me. The horses flew. We alighted 
 at the Chapel, tiptoed about several cor- 
 ners to break the scent; then I took off 
 my shoes and stole up the back way like 
 a good and faithful husband. Oh, I did 
 the whole thing in cavalier-style, sweet- 
 heart. But, 'twixt us, Moll," and she spoke 
 with a mysterious, confidential air,"_I 
 [ 266 ] 
 
wouldn't have it go fili^SiTfoT^^^s 
 
 diredtion of the nark fh^ c a ^ 
 
 i J • I , r^-^-> tne sad remnanr nf 
 
 f^db'ted breath''" ""' ^""'^^^-^ 
 
 "Hark! What is thaf?" u- 
 Nell ^'- whispered 
 
 " Nonsense, you little P-nnc^ " , 
 stratpfl ivr»ir lu 1 6°ose, remon- 
 
 "some f ' ^°"S^ "°"^ foo bravely- 
 some of your ex-Irvprc ,,^i- , v* 
 
 bleeding belts to the tSs " '"^ ^'"^ 
 "No> no; listen .'"exclaimed Moll fran 
 
 t«cally,asthenoisegrewIouder"?L7v: 
 m the entry." -^ "^^ 
 
 "In the entry!" stammered Nell- and 
 
 she almost collapsed at the thought oJ 
 
 more adventures. " I wish we were fn ' ^d 
 
 wuh our heads under the shS'" ' 
 
 Here is your sword," said Moll, as she 
 
 r 2^-7 1 
 
Mistress NeU 
 
 brought Nell the sharp weapon, held well 
 at arm's lengih for fear of it. 
 
 "Oh.yes, my sword! "exclaimed Nell, 
 perking up_foran instant only. -I never 
 thought of my sword; and this is one of 
 the bravest swords I ever drew. I am as 
 weak, as a woman, Moll." 
 
 "Take heart," said Moll, encouraging 
 her from the rear, as Nell brandished the 
 glittering blade in the direction of the 
 door. " You know you faced an army to- 
 night." 
 
 " True," replied Nell, her courage ooz- 
 ing out at her finger-tips, "but then I was a 
 man, n nd had to seem brave, whether I was 
 or no. Who's there?" she called faintly. 
 "Who's there? Support me, Moll. Beau 
 Adair is on his last legs." 
 
 Both stood listening intently and trem- 
 bling from top to toe. 
 
 A score of rich voices, singing harmo- 
 niously, broke upon the night. 
 
 The startled expression on Nell's face 
 changed instantly to one of feariess, rogu- 
 ish merriment. She was her old self again. 
 She tossed the sword contemptuously 
 [ 268 ] 
 
.^on the rtoor, laughing in deri^i^rT;^ 
 at her companion's fear, 
 -ut\rZ^t\^ ,r'^"^de!" she cried. 
 
 ^ome She ran gaily to the window and 
 peeped out. " Oh, ho, masqueraders from 
 
 bound. I am generous, I'll give thee all 
 but one, sweet mouse. The tall knight in 
 white for me ! I know he 's gallant, thCh 
 his vizors down Marry, Lis their ca^p- 
 mln 1 hT' ^"'^ "°"^ but a captain of 
 men shall be captain of my httle heart." 
 It is batan and his imps," cried Moll 
 
 dor^'''"^ t° draw Nell from the win- 
 
 "Tush, little one," laughed .Nell re- 
 E"g'y- "Satan is my warmest fri;nd. 
 Besides, they cannot cross the moat. 1W 
 rampartsareours.The draw-bridge is up' ' 
 In a merry mood, she threw a piece of 
 drapery, mantle-like, about Adair^ shoul- 
 ders, quite hiding them, and, decapitating 
 a gnm old suit of armour, placed fhe hel- 
 met on her head. Thus garbed, she threw 
 the window quickly open and stepped 
 [ 269 ] 
 
Mistress Neil 
 
 boldly upon the ledge, within full view 
 of the band beneath. As the moonlight 
 gleamed upon her hchnet, one might 
 have fancied her a goodly knight of yore- 
 and, mdeed, she looked quite formidable! 
 "Nell, what are you doing?" called 
 Moll, wildly, from a point of safety. 
 "They can see and shoot you." 
 
 "Tilly-vally, girl," replied Nell, un- 
 daunted now that she could see that there 
 was no danger, "we'll parley with the 
 enemy m true feudal style. We'll teach 
 them we have a man about the house. Ho 
 there, strangers of the night — breakers of 
 the Kmg's peace and the slumbers of the 
 righteous! Brawlers, knaves; would ye 
 raise honest men from their beds at such 
 an hour.? What means this jargon of tipsy 
 voices.? What want ve.?" 
 
 A chorus of throats without demanded, 
 in muffled accents: "Drink'" "Drink''' 
 "Sack!" "Rhenish!" 
 
 "Do ye think this a tavern, knaves?" 
 
 responded Nell, in a husky, mannish 
 
 voice. "Do ye think this a vintner's.? 
 
 There are no topers here. Jackanapes, 
 
 [ 270 ] 
 
j^enjyale of a Merry Time 
 
 the ctadel and train the guns " 
 
 Her retort was met with boisterous 
 laughter and mocking ci-s of " n 
 
 w.ththedoors!""Breaif„;he:ind!?:sT" 
 patL ^^'"""'^^^"^'''^""f-'ici- 
 pated. She jumped from the ledge or 
 rather tumbled into the room, nerfousW 
 dropp.ng her disguise upon the floT'^ 
 
 with n /"^'■'^''"''"^'^^^^i'lfoMoll 
 wuh ,„^^j^^^ complexion in he 
 
 Mdl t, "°.' ' u "'^ '^^^ ^°"Id dare." 
 rK u T'^ the cashes and bolted 
 
 them then hugged Nell close. 
 
 Ho, there, within!" came in a ..nf 
 
 Ves? Nell tried to say; but the word 
 scarce went beyond her lips "^ 
 
 Again in guttural tones came a second 
 summons — "Nell! Nelll" ^ ^^'^°"'* 
 
 Nell turned to Moll for support and 
 
 heart she ^'^r''^' ^"'^ '^""-"'"f 
 
 ^eart, she answered, as best she couldt 
 
 [ 271 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 in a forced voice: "Nell's in bed'" 
 
 "Yes, Nell's in bed," echoed the con- 
 stant Moll. "Everybody's in bed. Call 
 to-morrow ! " 
 
 " No trifling, ench ! " commanded the 
 voice without, angrily. "Down with the 
 door! ' 
 
 "Stand close, Moll," entreated Nell 
 as she answered the would-be intruder 
 with the question: 
 
 "Who are ye.? Who are ye.?" 
 "Old Rowley himself!" replied the 
 guttural voice. 
 
 This was followed by hoarse laughter 
 from many throats. 
 
 "The King — as I thought!" whis- 
 pered Nell. "Good lack; what shall I do 
 with Adair.? Plague on't, he'll be mad 
 It 1 keep him waiting, and madder if I 
 let him in. Where are your wits, Moll? 
 Run for my gown; fly_fly!" 
 Moll hastened to do the bidding. 
 Nell rushed to the entry-door, in fran- 
 tic agitation. 
 
 " The bolt sticks. Sire," she called, pre- 
 tending to struggle with the door, hoping 
 [ 272 ] 
 
___AJden2_^Uc of a Merry rime 
 
 so to 
 have ti 
 
 stay hi 
 
 ajesty until she should 
 
 "ictodisposcfpoor Adair. "How 
 can I get out of these braveries? " she then 
 asked herself, tugging awkwardly at one 
 
 partofjhemaleattireandthenatanother 
 
 1 den t know which end of me to begin 
 
 rn first. »'" 
 
 Moll re-entered the rrom with a bun- 
 dle of pnk m her arms, which turned 
 
 wilhlac'e. °"'"^' "■'''" '■°'^^''^™--' 
 
 br::t"s;. ^'^ '■■" ' '°""'^'" ^^^ -'^ 
 
 Nell motioned to her nervously to put 
 It upon the couch. ^ 
 
 woSjT ""' °"' «f thiscoat," shepleaded 
 
 Moll took off the coat and then assisted 
 Nell to circumscribe with the gown, from 
 heels to head her stunning fi/ure, neatW 
 encased m Aaair's habit, whicl. now con- 
 sisted only of a jaunty shirt nf white, gray 
 breeches, shoes and stockings. 
 
 "Marry, I would I were a fair with 
 a magic wand; I could belWdle 'men's 
 eyes easier," Nell lamented. 
 [ 273 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 "Patience, my liege," entreated Ndl 
 drawng her gown close about her and 
 muttenng with personal satisfaction: 
 
 rhcre, there; that hides a multitude of 
 sms. The g.rdle, the girdle! Adair will 
 
 notescape from this-ffwc can but "ep 
 hun c,u,et; the rogue has a w. man's 
 tongue, and it will out, I fear " 
 
 bhe snatched up a mirror and arranged 
 her hair as best she could in the dim light 
 w.th the cnes wuhout resounding in he; 
 ea.^and^w,th Moll dancing an^xicusiy 
 
 "Down with the door," threatened 
 the Kmg, impanently. "The ram; the 
 battermg ram. 
 
 "I come, my love; I come," cried Nell 
 in agitation, fairly running to the doo^ 
 
 - open ,t, but stopping aghast as her eye 
 caught over her shoulder the sad, teL 
 
 tale condition of the room. 
 
 "'Sdeath," she called in a stage-whis- 
 
 ner to Moll; "under the cou?h with 
 Adair s coat! Patience, Sire," she be- 
 
 [ 274 J 
 
sought in turn the Kin7~^nT "~ ^ 
 
 It was done, 
 pefson Sh ''' S°"" ''""= "I""" A<l"ir-. 
 
 •. ^7° ■'^ell, bowing gracioudv tr. u 
 untimely visitors. g'^^'^"^"s'y to her 
 
 [ 275 J 
 
^ 
 
 CHAPFER XVI 
 
 OJs-pitiiins, my own rtfleSlion! 
 
 U PON the fine face of the King, as he 
 entered Nell's drawing-room, was an ex- 
 pression of nervous bantering, not wholly 
 unmixed with anxiety. 
 
 The slanderous Adair and his almost 
 miraculous escape had not long weighed 
 upon his Majesty's careless nature. 
 
 As he had not met Adair until that 
 night or even heard of him, his heart had 
 told him that the Irish roisterer could 
 scarcely be a serious obstacle in the way of 
 Nell's perfect faith, if, indeed, he had met 
 Nell at all, which he doubted. His com- 
 mand to the guard to follow and overtake 
 the youth had been more the command 
 of the ruler than of the man. Despite him- 
 self, there had been something about the 
 dainty peacock he could not help but like; 
 and the bold dash for the window, the dis- 
 arming of the purse-proud Buckingham, 
 [ 276 ] 
 
AMerry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 who for many reasons dispkasecThhn^ 
 the leap to the sward below, with the ac- 
 companying farewell, had especally de- 
 lighted both his manhood and his sense 
 of humour. 
 
 He had, therefore, dismissed Adair from 
 his mind, except as a possible subjec^t to 
 laanter Nell withal, or as a culprit to pun- 
 ish, if overtaken. 
 
 His restless spirit had chafed under the 
 Duchess's lavish entertainment— for the 
 best entertainment is dull to the lover 
 Wfhose sweetheart is absent— and he had 
 turned instindtively from the ball to Nell's 
 terrace, regardless of the hour and scarce 
 noticing his constant attendants. 
 
 The night was so beautiful that their 
 souls had found vent in song. 
 
 This serenade, however, had brought 
 to Nell's window a wide-awake fellow, 
 who had revealed himself in saucy talk,' 
 and the delighted cavaliers, in hope of 
 fun, had charged jeeringly that they had 
 outwitted the guard and had found Adair. 
 It was this that had brought theanxious 
 look to the King's face; and, though his 
 
 [ V7 ] 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 better judgment was still unchanged, the 
 sight of the knave it the window, to- 
 gether with the suggestions of his merry 
 followers, had cast a shadow of doubt for 
 the moment upon his soul, and he had re- 
 flefted that there was much that the Irish 
 youth had said that could not be recon- 
 ciled with that better judgment. 
 
 With a careless shrug, he had, there- 
 fore, taken up the jest of his lawless crew, 
 which coincided with his own intended 
 purpose, and had sworn that he would 
 turn the household out of bed without 
 regard to pretty protests or formality of 
 warrant. He would raise the question 
 forthwith, in jest and earnest, and worry 
 Nell about the boaster. 
 
 "Scurvy entertainment," he began, 
 with frowning brow. 
 
 " Yea, my liege," explained Nell, win- 
 somely; "you see— I did not expeft the 
 King so late, and so was unpresentable." 
 " It is the one you do not expeft," re- 
 plied Charles, dryly, "who always causes 
 the trouble, Nell." 
 
 " We were in bed. Sire," threw in Moll, 
 [ 278 ] 
 
___^i^ff^V^JakjfaMerry Time 
 
 thinking to come to the rescur^Th;;: 
 misfiess. 
 
 "Marry, truly," said Nell, catching at 
 the cue, "-asleep, Sire, sound asleep ; and 
 our prayers said." ^ 
 
 "Tilly vally," exclaimed the King 
 
 we m.ght credit thy tongue, wench, but 
 
 Nell M^"^""'^ N° digressions, spider 
 
 ?H ;^^ Tc'^'i'' '" ^ %h'i"g mood. 
 
 Sdeath call forth the knight-errtnt who 
 
 holds thy errant heart secure for one short 
 
 „ "The knight of my heart! " cried Nell. 
 Ah, bire, you know his name." 
 She looked at his Majesty with eyes of 
 unfailmg love; but the King was true to 
 nisjest. 
 
 "Yea marry I do," laughed Charles, 
 tauntmgly, with a wink at his compan- 
 ions; "a pretty piece of heraldry, a bold 
 escutcheon, a dainty poniard-pale as a 
 ily, and how he did sigh and drop his 
 Ids and smirk and smirk and dance your 
 latest galhard to surpass De Grammont. 
 Ask brother James how he did dance." 
 Nay, Sire," hastily interceded the 
 [ 279 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 ever-gallant Rochester, "his Highness of 
 York has suffered enough." 
 
 York frowned at the reference; for he 
 had been robbed of his lady at the dance 
 by Adair. He could not forget that. Heed- 
 less of his royalty, bestowed by man, she, 
 like the others, had followed in the train 
 of the Irish spark, who was royal only bv 
 nature. ^ 
 
 "Hang the coxcomb!" he snarled. 
 '"Slife, I will," replied Charles, slyly, 
 "an you overtake him, brother." 
 
 "His back was shapely, Sire," observed 
 Rochester, with quaint humour. 
 
 "Yea, and his heels! " cried the King, 
 refleftively. "He had such dainty heels 
 — Mercury's wings attached, to waft him 
 on his way." 
 
 "This is moonshine madness!" ex- 
 claimed Nell, with the blandest of bland 
 smiles. "There's none such here. By my 
 troth, I would there were. Nav ask 
 Moll." •'' 
 
 Moll did not wait to be asked. 
 
 " Not one visitor to-night," she asserted 
 promptly. 
 
 [ 280 ] 
 
tone "Whence came the Jack at hf 
 wtndow-the brave young ciallenger- 
 Would ye raise honest men from their 
 beds at such an hour?'" 
 
 A burst of laughter followed the King's 
 grave .muat.on of the windo w-boastef. 
 Sire! s.ghedRochester,inhkespirit. 
 Do you think this a vintner's? There 
 are no topers here.'" 
 
 Anotherburstofmerrylaughtergreeted 
 the speaker, as he punftuatfd his^wo ds 
 
 t/h."^;"?- T '^' ^*"^-^"P^ from the 
 table and clinking them gaily. 
 
 Nell s face was as solemn as a funeral. 
 
 T.m. ^°"[ "^^'' '"'"'^>" commanded 
 
 prrnce.'^"" ^' "'"'^ '^"^^ ""'^'y ^^J--^ 
 
 ouslf -'^ '"'^ T™''''" F^'"^'^ Nell, seri- 
 ously ' twas I myself with helmet and 
 
 rs;Tp''r^^^'i\-'-y---"-e"re 
 
 fpedSbnity:^'™''^''^"-'^^-'^- 
 
 Z\u f!—^ battle-which would 
 have killed thee straight ! " 
 
 [ 281 1 
 
Mistress Neil 
 
 
 " It had liked to," reflefted Nell, as she 
 tartly replied: "A war of the sex with- 
 out me? It was stupid, then. The Duch- 
 ess missed me, I trow." 
 
 " Never fear," answered Charles, with 
 difficulty suppressing his mirth; "you 
 were bravely championed." 
 
 "I am sure of that," said Nell, slyly; 
 "my King was there." 
 
 "And a bantam cock," ejaculated 
 Charlto, sarcasticailv, "upon whose lips 
 ' Nell ' hung familiarly." 
 
 "^Some strange gallant," cried Nell, 
 in ecstasy, " took my part before them 
 all? Who was he. Sire? Don't tantalize 
 me so." 
 
 She smiled, half serious, half humor- 
 ous, as she pleaded in her charming way. 
 
 " A cliip from the Blarney Stone," ob- 
 served the King at length, ironically, 
 "surnamed Adair!" 
 
 "Adair! Adair!" cried Nell, to the 
 astonishment of all. " We spent our youth 
 together. I see him in my mind's eye. 
 Sire, throw down the gauntlet in Nell's 
 name and defy the world for her. Fill the 
 
 [ 282 ] 
 
new- 
 gallant! Longl.irSr,?'""™™; 
 
 .0 .he hosts', L';;fJi-"-P»"» 
 
 Mr,S';«'°-^^°°--'"a„fS 
 
 claL°d£&Sfc„"t'T'^'""- 
 
 looK up the royal oleHap " a ° •'^ 
 
 Nell!"''Nelli""W.Mi5 , ^^^' ^y^' 
 
 "V^ J . ^^ " '^""k to Nell'" 
 
 . 7t^o me honour, royal gentlemen " 
 
 bowed Nell, well please/ at^^^fj^n^g's 
 
 She had scarce touched the cup to her 
 
 -m.,„.-„h.„h„.,,sl'!;;o°„te';; 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 Adair's gray boots, which Moll had failed 
 to hide, in her excitement, now revealing 
 itself quite plainly in the light of the 
 many candles. She caught it adroitly on 
 the tip of her toe and sent it whizzing 
 through the air in the diredtion of poor 
 Moll, who, fortunately, caught it in mid- 
 air and hid it quickly beneath her apron. 
 
 The King turned at the sound; but 
 Nell's face was as woefully unconcerned 
 as a church-warden's at his hundredth 
 burial. 
 
 The wine added further zest to the 
 merry-making and the desire for sport. 
 
 "Now, fair huswife," continued 
 Charles, his thoughts reve.-ting to Adair, 
 "set forth the dish, that we may carve it 
 to our liking. 'Tis a dainty bit, — lace, 
 velvet and ruffles." 
 
 " Heyday, Sire," responded Nell, eva- 
 sively, "the larder's empty." 
 
 "Devil on't," cried Charles, fero- 
 ciously;" no mincing, wench. In the con- 
 fusion of the ball, the bird escaped my 
 guard by magic. We know whither the 
 flight." 
 
 [ 284] 
 
- ^J^^'-'-y T"^f of^ Merry Time 
 
 Jj5 King ^^^^ii^:^dTk^^^^~~^~^ 
 
 Escaped the guard?" gasped Nell, in 
 
 coat has hid him then." 
 
 "I'll stake my life upon't," observed 
 James, who had not been heard from in 
 some time but who had been observinjr 
 the scene with decorous dignity. 
 
 ni "?'T'J°n '^°"''^ "°' '"''""e Adair," 
 pleaded Nell, now alert, with all her arts 
 
 of fascination "You are too generous. 
 
 Blue eyes of heaven, and such a smile' 
 
 Did^you^mark that young Irishman's 
 
 Her impudence was so bewitching that 
 the Kmg scarce knew whether it were 
 jest or earnest He sprang to his feet from 
 the couch, where he had thrown himself 
 after the toast to Nell, and, with some 
 torcefulness, exclaimed: 
 
 "Odsfish, this to my teeth, rogue! 
 Guard the doors, gallants; we'd gaze 
 upon this paragon." ^ ■ 
 
 "And set him pirouetting. Sire," sar- 
 donically suggested James. 
 
 "Yea, to the tune of these fiddle-sticks " 
 r 28c 1 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 I 
 
 laughed Charles, as he unsheathed his ra- 
 pier. "Search from tile to rafter." 
 
 "Aye, aye," echoed the omnipresent 
 Rochester, "froiii cellar to garret." 
 
 Before, however, the command could 
 be obeyed, even in resolution, Nell 
 moved uneasily to a curtain which hung 
 in the corner of the room and placed her- 
 self before it, as if to shield a hidden man. 
 
 "Sire," she pleaded fearfully, "spare 
 him. Sire; fur my sake. Sire. He is not to 
 blame for loving me. He cannot help it. 
 You know that. Sire!" 
 
 "Can he really be here?" muttered 
 Charles, with clouding visage. "Saucy 
 wench! Hey! My blood is charging full- 
 tilt through my veins. Odsfish, we '11 try 
 his mettle once again." 
 
 "Prythee, Sire," begged Nell, "he is 
 too noble and brave and handsome to die. 
 I love his very image." 
 
 "Oh, ho!" cried Charles. "A silken 
 blind for the silken bird ! Hey, St. George 
 for merry England! Come forth, thou 
 pifture of cowardice, thou vile slanderer." 
 
 He grasped Nell by the wrist and fairly 
 [ 286 ] 
 
dragged 
 
 The 
 
 - " '"v.' room. 1 
 
 •ng to the curtain, he st .ed its silken 
 
 foldsandtoreitcomplctelvfromlshn. 
 or':Bds'^!V-^^'^'^'"^^^'^"'"^'-ge mir- 
 ror Ods-p,t,k,ns,myown reflection ' "he 
 exclaimed, with menacing tone thoul 
 
 there was rehef as well in^.svdce lie 
 bent the point of his blade again"" the 
 floor gazed at himself in the pier-glass 
 and looked over his shoulder at Nell,Sho 
 stood m the midst of his courtiers X 
 nngW Sides With laughter. und4'n£ 
 
 ju;tei;r;;^^r-;;-^°s 
 
 England would be worse than a PuHtan 
 funeral wuh no Nell. Thou shalt sufS" 
 
 "I defy thee, Sire, and all thy imps of 
 
 th?"Ki^^ h^' ^ T''^ '' -she'watSed 
 "Casf N^eM ''^l ^'lJ'^^-"-d sword. 
 
 '-ast J\ell in the hlirlrpcf j 
 A J ■ • I ^ uiacKest dunpeon 
 
 Adair IS her fellow-prisoner; outlawS "' 
 
 nJv U ^f' i'°'^'' °"''^^; off with 
 Nell s head, off rolls Adair's. Who else 
 
 can boast so true a love!" 
 
 r 08-7 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 It 
 
 I H 
 
 I :>^ 
 
 "Thou shalt be banished the rea:.n," 
 decided the King, jestingly ; for he was 
 now convinced that her Adair was but 
 a jest to tease him_a Roland for his 
 Oliver. 
 
 "Banished!" cried Nel!, with bated 
 breath. 
 
 "Aye; beyond sea, witch!" answered 
 the King, with pompous austerity. "Vir- 
 ginia shall be thy home." 
 
 "Good, good!" laughed Nell, gaily. 
 "Sire, the men grow handsome in Vir- 
 ginia, and dauntless; and they tell me 
 there are a dearth of women there. Oh, 
 banish me atonceto— What's the name?" 
 
 "Jamestown," suggested York, recall- 
 ing the one name because of its familiar 
 sound. 
 
 "Yea, brother James," said Nell, fear- 
 lessly mimicking his brusque accent, 
 "Jamestown." 
 
 "Savages, wild men, cannibals," 
 scowled Charles. 
 
 "Cannibals!" cried Nell. "Mnrry, I 
 should love to be a cannibal. Are there 
 cannibals in Jamestown, 'i-other James.? 
 
 [ 2«» ] 
 
' — > •-"■■■.111 mc to Fames- 
 town of all places. Up with the sails, my 
 merry men; give me the helm! Adair 
 will sa.lm the same good ship, I ,row." 
 
 u ,'x .i™"^ '''"" ^'^'■f ^'"t at home, 
 cannibal Nelly," determined the King 
 
 Then set all the men in Britain to 
 watch me Sire," said Nell; "for. from 
 now on, I '11 need it." 
 
 The King shook his finger warningly 
 at her, then leaned carelessly against The 
 wmdow. " 
 
 "Ho there ! " hecried out suddenly. " A 
 night disturbance, a drunken brawl be- 
 neath our very ears! Fellow-saints, w'lat 
 mean my subjefts from their bed^ uiis 
 hour of night? Their sovereign does the 
 revelling for the realm. James, Rochester 
 and all, see to 't!" 
 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 i 
 
 Thi day will hi w happy ; fir I 'vi seen you at the dawn. 
 
 1 HE room was quickly cleared, the 
 King's courtiers jostling one another in 
 their efforts to carry out the royal bid- 
 
 ding 
 
 Charles turned with a merry laugh and 
 seized Nell in his arms almost fiercely. 
 
 "A subterfuge!" he cried eagerly 
 "Nell, quick; one kiss!" 
 
 "Nay; you question my constancy to- 
 night," said Nell, sadly, as she looked into 
 his eyes, with the look of perfeft love. 
 " You do not trust me." 
 
 " I do, sweet Nell," protested the King, 
 earnestly. 
 
 "You bring me Portsmouth's lips," 
 said Nell, with sad reproof 
 
 " I left her dance for you," replied the 
 King, drawing her closer to him. 
 
 "At near sunrise, Sire." sighed Nell, 
 reprovingly, as she drew back the curtain 
 [ 290 ] 
 
"Nay do not tantalize me, Nell " be 
 
 t"etu;!^r^^'''7"""^^''"-'^'"p- 
 
 tfte couch. I am sad to-night " 
 
 Ihe woman's forgivin? heirf ,„.c 
 
 touched with sympath'y.Hf.e?:sTough 
 h sadly beauntul face. She ran to hfm 
 felUpon her knees and kissed his hand 
 
 , " '^^TS'^^ ""y ^'"g •' " '^^ cried. " The 
 iYhe"'" be so happy; for IVe seen you 
 
 tervour and pathef ^ tenderness which the 
 
 great composer has compressed into the 
 
 love-music of" Tristan and Isolde "in her 
 voice. iijiici 
 
 tinued. Heaven g.ves us crowns, but 
 deeds '• eye to see the ending of our 
 
 T ''*^°'^f^^^ them," said Nell. "Ah Sire 
 I thank the Maker of the world for r: 
 ing^a crown to one whom I respedt and 
 
 "And I curse it," cried the King, with 
 [ 291 ] 
 
r 
 
 Mistresi Nell 
 
 earnest eyes; "for 'tis the on 
 
 to our united love. It 
 
 of; 
 
 the 
 .cat 
 
 barrier 
 sparkling 
 veb of in- 
 
 spider in the centre 
 trigue and infamy." 
 
 "You make me bold to speak. Cut 
 the web. Sire, hich binds thy crown to 
 France. There is the only danger." 
 
 "Thou art wrong, Nelly, wrong!" He 
 spoke in deep, firm accents. "I have de- 
 cided otherwise." 
 
 He rose abruptly, his brow clouded 
 tvith thought. She took his hand tenderly. 
 
 "Then, change your mind, Sire," she 
 pleaded; "for I can prove — " 
 
 "What, girl.?" he asked eagerly, his 
 curiosity awakened by her manner. 
 
 Nell did not respond. To continue 
 would reveal Adair, and she could not 
 think of that. 
 
 " What, I say? " again asked Charles, 
 impatiently. 
 
 " To-morrow, Sire," laughed Nell, eva- 
 sively. 
 
 "Aye, to-morrow and to-morrow!" 
 petulantly repeated the King. 
 
 He was about to demand a dircdt re- 
 [ 292 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Merry Ti 
 
 tme 
 
 ply but was stayed by the sound of a strug- 
 gle without. ° 
 It befell in the nick of time for Nell 
 as all things, indeed, in life seemed to 
 befall in the nick of time for her. The 
 impious huswives shook their heads and 
 attributed it to the evil influence; the 
 pious huswives asserted it was providen- 
 tial; Nell herself laughingh; declared it 
 was her lucky star. 
 
 "Ho, without there!" Charles cried, 
 impatiently—almost angrily—at the in- 
 terruption. "Whence comes this noisv 
 not?" ■> 
 
 James, Rochester and the otheis un- 
 ceremoniously re-entered. 
 
 "Pardon, Sire," explained the Duke 
 of York; "the guard caught but nov an 
 armed ruffian prowling by the house. 
 They report they stayed him on suspi- 
 cion of his looks and insolence." 
 
 "Adair! Adair! My life upon't!" 
 laughed the King, ever ready for sport. 
 "Set him before us." 
 
 An officer ofthe guard departedquickly 
 to bring in the offender. The courtiers 
 
 [ 293 ] 
 
Mistress NeH 
 
 took up the King's cry most readily; and 
 there was a general cackle of "Adair i" 
 "Adair!" "A trial!" "Sire!" "Bring in 
 the coward!" ^ 
 
 Nell stood in the midst of the scene 
 the pifture of demure innocence. 
 
 "They've caught Adair!" she whis- 
 pered to Moll, mischievously. 
 
 "Aye,gallants," cried the Merry Mon- 
 arch, approvingly, "we'll form a Court 
 of Inquiry. This table shall be our bench 
 on which we'll hem and haw and puff 
 and look judicial. Odsfish, we will teach 
 Radamanthus and Judge Jeffreys ways of 
 terrorizing." ^ 
 
 He sprang upon the table, which 
 creaked somewhat beneath the royal bur- 
 den, and assumed the austere, frowning 
 brow of worldly justice. 
 
 " Oyer, oyer, all ye who have griev- 
 ances-- "cried the garrulous Rochester 
 in the husky tones of the crier, who most 
 generally assumes that he is the whole 
 court and oftentimes should be. 
 
 _ "MistressNell,"commandedtheroyal 
 judge, summoning Nell to the bar, " thou 
 
 L 294 ] 
 
life hangs upon thy skill to outwit the 
 
 Charles, with the injured dignity of a 
 petty just.ce about to commit a flasJi of 
 true wit for contempt of court 
 
 "Traitor lips?" cried Nell, sadly. "By 
 my troth, I never kissed Adair. I con- 
 ^e^ss, I tried, your Majesty; but I could 
 
 " Have a care," replied the King, in a 
 tone which indicated that the fires of sus- 
 picion still smouldered in his breast- "I 
 am growing jealous." ' 
 
 Nell fell upon one knee and stretched 
 torth her arms suppliantly. 
 
 "Adair is in such a tight place, Sire, 
 
 hecan scarcely breathe,"shepleaded, with 
 the zeal of a barrister hard-working for 
 
 fo^hiitift^;;^/-^-"--^^^^^ 
 
 "We will havejustice; not mercy," re- 
 phed the court, with a sly wink at Roch- 
 
 r 201: 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 ester. "Guilty or not guilty, wench?" 
 
 "Not guilty. Sire! Did you ever see 
 the man who was?" 
 
 The King laughed despite himself, fol- 
 lowed by his ever-aping courtiers. 
 
 " I'll plead for the Crown," asserted the 
 grim James, with great vehemence, " to 
 rid the realm of this dancing-Jack." 
 
 "Thou hast cause, brother," laughed 
 
 the King. "Rochester, thou shalt sit by 
 
 h»» ^ 
 
 ere. 
 
 Rochester sprang, with a contented 
 chuckle, into a chair on the opposite 
 side of the table to that upon which his 
 Majesty was holding his mock-court and 
 seated himself upon its high back, so 
 poised as not to fall. From this lofty 
 bench, with a queer gurgle, to say noth- 
 ing of a swelling of the chest, and with 
 an approving glance from his Majesty, 
 he added his mite to the all-inspiring 
 dignity of the revelers' court. 
 
 "Judge Rochester!" continued the 
 King, slapping him with his glove, across 
 the table. "Judge— of good ale. We'll 
 confer with the cups, imbibe the statutes 
 
 [ 296 ] 
 
A Merry Tale of a Iderry Time 
 
 In obedience to the command, a man 
 well muffled with a cloak was forced into 
 th^ room, a guard at either a.m. 
 
 Behind them, taking advantage of the 
 open door to appease their curiosity, 
 crowded many hangers-on of courtdom 
 among whom was Strin- ., who had met' 
 therevellers somedistan. Vom the house 
 and had returned with them 
 
 "Hold off your hands, knaves," com- 
 rnanded the prisoner, who was none other 
 
 dtm^oT' ''' ^^^^"' '"'^'^"^"' ^' '^^ 
 
 Ki^^ "^; ;S "' ^°"'""'^^' '^^ 
 
 "Sire!" cried Hart, throwing off his 
 mantle and glancing for the first time at 
 the judge s face. He sank immediately 
 upon one knee, bowing respectfully 
 
 "Jack Hart! "cried one and all, craning 
 
 .''JJ^r '" '"'P"'^ ^"'l expeftation. 
 . hlife a spy upon our merry-mak- 
 
 !"x^x u ^'^'^'^''ned tlie displeased monarch 
 What means this prowling, sir.?" 
 
 r 207 1 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 " Pardon, pardon, my reply, your Maj- 
 esty," humbly importuned the player. 
 "Blinded by passion, I might say that I 
 should regret." 
 
 " Your strange behaviour and stranger 
 looks have meaning, sir," cried the King, 
 impatiently. "Out v^^ith it! These are 
 too dangerous times to withhold your 
 thoughts from your King." 
 
 "No need for commands. Sire," en- 
 treated Hart. "The words are trembling 
 on my lips and will out themselves " . spite 
 of me. At Portsmouth's ball, an hour past, 
 I o'erheard that fop Adair boast to-night 
 a midnight rendezvous here with Nell." 
 
 Nell placed her hands upon her heart. 
 
 "This— my old friend," she reflefted 
 sadly. 
 
 "Our jest turned earnest," cried 
 Charles. "Well.? Well.?" he questioned, 
 in peremptory tones. 
 
 " I could not believe my ears. Sire," the 
 prisoner continued, faltering. " I watched 
 to refute the lie — " 
 
 "Yes — yes — " exhorted the King, in 
 expeftation. 
 
 [ 298 ] 
 
'I cannoTgolinT^ ' 
 
 "Knave, I command'" 
 
 toward theplaver ' V "^'"™^d sharply 
 
 false siriKfn^H ^""'-.^O'-Js are false, 
 
 "PaTd'nn . '^T"' '^^y '""^t be." 
 
 Hart and'L'!^"''' f ""'' ^^"•" '^°bbed 
 "• ^"^ ne turned away his eve. H„ 
 could not look at her. ^ ^ -"^ 
 ^ "Love!" continued Nell, bitterly 
 
 wS .entir/""'' '^""^ ^'°"^. S' 
 
 Hart 'Tha God l""'°"-i ^''^ y°"' fr-"^ 
 ■1", tnat God has made you thus!" 
 
 L ^99 J 
 
Mistress Ne/l 
 
 " No more, no more! " Hurt quite broke 
 beneath the strain. 
 
 " Dost hear, dost hear? " cried Charles, 
 in ecstasy, deeply affefted by Nell's ex- 
 position of true love. "Sir, you are the 
 second to-night to belie the dearest name 
 in England. You shall answer well to me." 
 
 "Ask the lady. Sire," pleaded Hart, in 
 desperation. "I'll stake my life upon her 
 reply." 
 
 "Nell.?— Nell? "questioned the King; 
 for he could scarce refuse to accept her 
 word when a player had placed unques- 
 tioned faith in it. 
 
 Nell hid her face in hersilken kerchief 
 and burst into seeming spasmodic sobs 
 of grief. " Sire! " was all the response the 
 King could hear. He trembled violently 
 and his face grew white. He did not know 
 that Nell's tears were merry laughs. 
 
 "Her tears convidt her," exclaimed 
 Hart, triumphal! rlv. 
 
 "I'll not believe it," cried the King. 
 
 Nell became more hysterical. She 
 sobbed and sobbed, as though her heart 
 would break, her face buried in her hands 
 
 [ 300 ] 
 
•' Aaair's sides are aching," she chur 
 kl^d.n apparent convulsio^; ofL™ 
 He s laughing through Nell's tears " 
 Mean wh.le, Moll had been stand?;, bv 
 
 in^ eagerly the exciting scene within the 
 room she could not faif to note the "und 
 o* galloping horses and the rat lingof ^ 
 heavy coach on the roadway without 
 
 A coach and six at break -neck soeed " 
 she cned "have landed at the dooT a 
 cavalier alights." ^- ^ 
 
 "Time some one arrived," thoueht 
 Nell, as she glanced at herself in fhe 
 mirror, to see that Adair was well hidden 
 and to arrange her curls, to bewitch the' 
 new arrivals, whosoever they migh be 
 As the cavalier dashed up the path in 
 the moonlight, Moll recognized thSke 
 "Buckingham, and at o'nce announced 
 nis name. ^uuccu 
 
 "Ods-pitikins!" exclaimed Charles 
 
 r 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 He had scarce spoken, however, when 
 Buckingham, unceremoniously and al- 
 most 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 mis- 
 sion will excuse my haste and interrup- 
 tion. 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 gos- 
 sips! I'll none of it." 
 
 "My witness, Sire!" answered Buck- 
 ingham. 
 
 He turned toward the door; and there, 
 to the astonishment of all, -,tood the Duch- 
 ess of Portsmouth, who had followed him 
 from the coach, a lace mantilla, caught 
 up in her excitement, protefting her 
 shapely shoulders and head. 
 [ 302 ] 
 
j^^enyTaUjfa Merry Time 
 As the assembled cwtTcrTlool^d^up;;^ 
 he beautiful rivals, standing, as they did 
 
 ace to face before the Kingtand rea^Ii.ed 
 ^he^suuat.on, their faces grew grave, in- 
 
 The suspense became intense. 
 
 ^K' r A °^ reckoning's come," 
 thought Nell, as she met with burning 
 glances the Duchess's eyes. 
 
 "Speak, your grace," exhorted Buck- 
 ingham. "The King attends you " 
 
 "Nay, before all, my lord.?" protested 
 Portsmouth, with pretended delicacy. 
 I could not do Madame G ^yn so much 
 injustice. 
 
 "If your speech concerns me," ob- 
 served Nell, mildly, "out with it boldly 
 My friends will consider the source " 
 
 "Speak, and quickly!" commanded 
 Lnarles. 
 
 "I would rather lose my tongue," still 
 protested the Duchess, "than speak such 
 words of any one; but my duty to your 
 Majesty ^ •' 
 
 "No preludes," interrupted the King- 
 and he meant it, too. He was done with 
 [ 3°.^ ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 trifling, and the Duchess saw it. 
 
 "My servants," she said, with a vir- 
 tuous look, " passing this abode by chance, 
 this very night,sawata questionable hour 
 a strange cavalier entering the boudoir of 
 Madame Gvvyn!" 
 
 "She would make my honour the price 
 of her revenge," thought Nell, her eyes 
 flashing. "She shall rue those words, or 
 Adair s head and mine are one for naught." 
 
 "What say you to this, Nell?" asked 
 the Kmg, the words choking in his throat. 
 
 "Sire,— I _ I _ '• answered Nell, eva- 
 sively. "There's some mistake or knav- 
 ery ! 
 
 "Shehesitates,"interpolatedtheDuch- 
 ess, eagerly. 
 
 "You change colour, wench," cried 
 e-harles, his heart, indeed, again upon the 
 rack. "Ho, without there! Search the 
 house." 
 
 An officer entered quickly ti. obey 
 the mandate. 
 
 "Stay, Sire," exclaimed Nell, raising 
 herself to her full height, her hot, trem- 
 bling lips compressed, her cheeks aflatii.-. 
 \ 304 ] 
 
^■e not seen Adair's face 
 
 'My oath : 
 this night." 
 
 Her words fell upon the assemblage 
 like thunder from a June-day sky. The 
 Kmg s face brightened. The Duchess's 
 countenance grew pale as death 
 
 -Mon Dk'u! Adair!" she gasped in 
 startled accents to Lord Buckingham 
 attendant at her side. "Could it be he 
 my servants saw? The packet ! Fool ' Why 
 did I give it him.?" ^ 
 
 Buckingham trembled violently He 
 was even more startled than Portsmouth- 
 tor he had more to lose. England was his 
 nome and France was hers. 
 
 " The scales are turning against us," he 
 whispered. "Throwin this ringforsafetv 
 Nell s gift to Adair; you understand." 
 
 He slipped, unobserved, upon the 
 Duchess's finger the jewelled ring the 
 King had given to Almahyde among the 
 roses at the performance of "Granada " 
 "Yes! Yes! 'Tis my only chance," she 
 answered, catching at his meaning; for 
 her wits were of the sharpest in intrigue 
 and cunning, and she possessed the bold- 
 [ 305 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 ness too to execute her plans. 
 
 She approached the King, with the 
 confident air possessed by great women 
 who have been bred at court. 
 
 "Your Majesty recognizes this ring?" 
 she asked in mildest accents. 
 
 "The one I gave to Nell!" answered 
 the astonished King. 
 
 " The one Adair this night gave to me," 
 said Portsmouth, calmly. 
 
 "'Tis false!" cried Nell, who could 
 restrain her tongue no longer. "I gave 
 that ring to dear ol<' Strings." 
 
 "A rare jewel to bestow upon a fid- 
 dler," said the Duchess, sarcastically. 
 
 "It is true," said Strings, who had 
 wormed his way through the group at 
 mention of his name and now stood the 
 meeli central figure at the strange hear- 
 ing. " My little ones were starving, Sire; 
 and Nell gave me the ring — all she had. 
 They could not eat the gold; so I sold it 
 to the Duke of Buckingham!" 
 
 "We are lost," whispered Buckingham 
 to Portsmouth, scarce audibly. 
 
 " Coward ! " sneered the Duchess, con- 
 
 [ 306 ] 
 
j^MerrjJTale jf a Me rry Time 
 
 temti^;;^;i,d^r^n;,7i;ot ready to"^^Jilbi? 
 r ranee so soon." 
 
 The King stood irresolute. Events had 
 transpired so quickly that he scarce knew 
 what It was best to do. His troubled spirit 
 longed for a further hearing, while his 
 hear demanded the ending of the scene 
 with a peremptory word. 
 
 Before he could decide upon his course, 
 the Duchess had swept across the room[ 
 with queenly grace. 
 
 "Our hostess will pardon my eyes for 
 wandering," she said, undaunted; "but 
 her abode is filled with pleasant surprises. 
 Sire, here is a piece of handiwork." 
 
 She knelt by the couch, and drew from 
 under it a coat of gray, one sleeve of which 
 had caught her eve. 
 
 Neil looked at Moll with reprovin? 
 glances. 
 
 "Marry, 'tis Strings's, of course," con- 
 tmued Portsmouth, dangling the coat be- 
 fore the wondering eyes of all. "The lace, 
 the ruffle, becomes his complexion. He 
 fits everything here so beautifully." 
 As she turned the garment slowly about, 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 she caught sight of a package of papers 
 protruding from its inner pocket, sealed 
 with her own seal. For the first time, the 
 significance of the colour of thecoatcame 
 home to her. 
 
 "■Mon Ditu" she cried, "Adair's coat. 
 — The packet!" 
 
 Her fingers sought the papers eagerly; 
 but Nell's eye and hand were too quick for 
 her. 
 
 " Not so fast, dear Duchess," said Nell, 
 sweetly, passing the little packet te his 
 Majesty. "Our King must read these pa- 
 pers — and between the lines as well." 
 
 "Enough of this ! "commanded Charles. 
 "What is It.?" 
 
 "Some papers. Sire," said Nell, point- 
 edly, "given for a kiss and taken with a 
 kiss. I have not had time to read them." 
 
 "Some family papers. Sire," asserted 
 the Duchess, with assumed indifference, 
 "stolen from my house." 
 
 She would have taken fhem from his 
 Majesty, so great, indeed, was her bold- 
 ness; but Nell again stayed her. 
 
 " Aye, stolen," said Neli, sharply ; " but 
 [ 308 ] 
 
' ^■'^'^rry Tale of a Merry Time 
 
 by the hostess herself— from her unsus- 
 pecting, royal guest. There, Sire, stands 
 the only thief!" She pointed accusingly 
 at Portsmouth. ° ■' 
 
 "My signature!" cried Charles, as he 
 ran his eye down a parchment. "The 
 treaties! No more Parliaments for En.- 
 land. I agreed to that." 
 
 ,''Iag'-eetothatmyself,"saidNell,rogu- 
 ! .shly. "England's King is too great to need 
 
 Parliaments. The King should have a con- 
 hdential adviser, however— not French " 
 and she cast a defiant glance at Ports- 
 mouth, "but English. Read on; read on " 
 She placed her pretty cheek as near as 
 possible to the King's as she followed the 
 letters over his shoulder. 
 
 " A note to Bouillon ! " he said, perus- 
 
 ingtheparchmentsfurther."Charlescon- 
 sents to the tall of Luxembourg. I did not 
 sign all this. I see it all: Louis's ambition 
 to rule the world, England's King debased 
 by promises won and royal contrafts made 
 with a clever woman — forp-ery mixed 
 with truth. Sweet Heaven, what have I 
 done! 
 
 [ 309 ] 
 
Mistress Neli 
 
 "The papers have not gone. Sire," 
 blandly remarked Nell. 
 
 "Thanks to you, my Nell,"said Charles. 
 He addressed Portsmouth sharply: "Ma- 
 dame, your coach awaits you." 
 
 "But, Sire," replied the Duchess, who 
 was brave to the last, "Madame Gwyn 
 has yet Adair to answer for!" 
 
 "Adair will answer for 1 jmself ! " cried 
 Nell, triumphantly. 
 
 She threw aside the pink gown and 
 stood as Adair before the astonished eyes 
 of all. 
 
 "At your service," she said, bowing 
 sweetly to the Duchess. 
 
 " A player's trick ! " cried Portsmouth, 
 haughtily, as a parting shot of contempt. 
 
 "Yes, Portsmouth," replied Nell, still 
 in sweetest accents, "to show where lies 
 the true and where the false." 
 
 "You are a witch," hissed Portsmouth. 
 
 "You are the King's true love," ex- 
 claimed the Merry Monarch. "To my 
 arms, Nell, to my arms; for you first 
 taught me the meaning of true love! 
 Buckingham, you forget your courtesy. 
 [ 310 J 
 
A Merry Tale of g Merry^Time 
 
 Her grace wishes to be escorted to her 
 coach." 
 
 "■Bon voyage, madame," said Nell de- 
 . murely, as the Duchess tooli Bucking- 
 ham s arm and departed. 
 
 The King's eyes fell upon the player. 
 Hart, who was still in custody. 
 
 "Away with this wretch!" he cried 
 mcensed at his conduft. "I am not done 
 with him." 
 
 "Forgive him. Sire," interceded Nell. 
 " He took his cue from Heaven, andgood 
 has come of it." 
 
 "True, Nell," said the King, merci- 
 fully. Then he turned to Hart: "You are 
 free; but henceforth aft the knave only 
 on the stage." Hart bowed with shame 
 and withdrew. 
 
 "Sire, Sire," exclaimed Strings, for- 
 getting his decorum in his eagerness 
 
 "Well, Strings?" inquired the King 
 good-humouredly; for there was now no' 
 cloud in his sky. 
 
 " Let me play the exit for the villains.? " 
 he pleaded unftuously. "The old fiddle 
 is just bursting with tunes " 
 
 [ 311 ] 
 
Mistress Nell 
 
 You shall, Strings," replied his Maj- 
 esty "and on a Cremona. From to-dai 
 you lead the royal orchestra." ^' 
 
 "Odsbud," cried Strings, gleefully, "I 
 can offer Jack Hart an engagement?" 
 Just retribution. Strings," laughed 
 
 Ne ,happ,ly."Canyoudoasmuchfor 
 iNell, and forgive her. Sire?" 
 
 "It is I who should ask your pardon, 
 Nell, exclaimed the King, ecstatically 
 throwing both arms passionately about 
 be^EngWV^'^^^'^^'^'^^^-'y-^hould