'They 've come and gone, sire, six hours ago. I would not permit your Majesty to be disturbed for such a pack of falsehearted sycophants; the more that they sent such insolent messages, demanding as a right to be received, and asking how long they were to wait your royal pleasure.'
'True as Gospel. That Spaniard, with the red-brown beard, came even to your Majesty's antechamber, and spoke so loud I thought he'd have awoke you'; nor was Count Boyor much better-mannered----'
'Come and gone!' broke in Charles. 'What falsehoods will grow out of this! You should have told me, Kelly. Health, ease, happiness--I 'd have sacrificed all to duty. Ay, George, kings have duties like other men. Were there many here?'
'I never saw one-half the number. The carriages filled the Corso to the Piazza del Popolo. There was not a minister absent.'
'They were all here. O'Sullivan, Barra, Clangavin----'
'Where was Tullybardine?--Ah! I forgot,' broke in Charles, with a deep sigh. '"Here's to them that are gone," George, as the old song says. Did they seem dissatisfied at my absence?--how did you explain it?'
'I said your Majesty was indisposed; that State affairs had occupied you all the preceding night, and that you had at last fallen into a slumber.'
'You forget, sire. We buried him six weeks ago.'
'To be sure we did. Show me that glass, George--no, the looking-glass, man--and light those tapers yonder.'
Kelly obeyed, but with an evident reluctance, occupying time, so as to withdraw the other's attention from his project. This stratagem did not succeed, and Charles waited patiently till his orders were fulfilled, when, taking the mirror in his hand, he stared long and steadfastly at the reflection of his features. It was several minutes before he spoke, and when he did, the voice was tremulous and full of deep feeling.
'George, I am sadly changed; there is but little of the handsome Chevalier here. I didn't think to look like this these fifteen years to come.'
'Faith! for one who has gone through all that you have, I see no such signs of wear and tear,' said Kelly. 'Had you been a Pope or a Cardinal--had you lived like an Elector of Hanover, with no other perils than a bare head in a procession, or the gouty twinges of forty years' "sauer kraut----"'