"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 almost hugged his Majesty, nestling her head affectionately against his shoulder. Charles observed the decorum of due dignity. He was impartial to a fault; for he realized that there only lay his salvation.
The phalanx approached the feast in solemn march. The King tossed his head proudly and observed: "Who would not play 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 King, then more coldly at Nell. The King looked at each inquiringly.
"I thought your Majesty ordered supper for three," she said. "It is set 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, irrespective 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 observation. "Our host is teaching us the virtues of economy."
The unsuspecting landlord re-entered at this moment, wine in hand, which he proceeded to place upon the table.
"What do you mean, knave, by this treachery!" almost shrieked the King at sight of him. "Another plate, dost hear; another plate, dog!"
"Bless me," explained the landlord, in confusion, "you said supper for two, sir; that a man was a fool who dined more; that the third was expensive and in the way."
"Villain!" cried Charles, in a hopeless effort to suppress the fellow, "I said two-two--beside myself. I never count myself in the presence of these ladies."
The Duchess smiled a chilling smile, and asked complacently:
"Yes, which did you expect, Sire?" laughed Nell.
"Oh, my head," groaned Charles; "well, well,--you see--Duchess, the matter lies in this wise--"
"Let me help your Majesty," generously interrupted Nell. "Her ladyship is ill at figures. You see, Charles and I are one, and you make two, Duchess."
