"Sire, two women often play at rackets even with a king's heart," softly suggested 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. "They 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 irritation at the interruption.
"'Tis so!" he said at last, resignedly. "The King is lost."
The horn sounded clearer. The hunters were returning.
"Again--nearer!" exclaimed Charles, fretfully. His mind reverted to his pious brother; and he laughed as he continued: "Poor brother James and his ostriches!"
He could almost touch Nell's finger-tips.
"Farewell, sweet," he said; "I must help them find his Majesty or they will swarm here like bees. Yet I must see my Nell again to-night. You have bewitched me, wench. Sup with me within the hour--at--Ye Blue Boar Inn. Can you find the place?"
There was mischief in Nell's voice as she leaned upon the balustrade. She dropped a flower; he caught it.
"Sire, I can always find a rendezvous," she answered.
"You're the biggest rogue in England," laughed Charles.
"Of a _subject_, perhaps, Sire," replied Nell, pointedly.
"That is treason, sly wench," rejoined the King; but his voice grew tender as he added: "but treason of the tongue and not the heart. Adieu! Let that seal thy lips, until we meet."
He threw a kiss to the waiting lips upon the balcony.
"Alack-a-day," sighed Nell, sadly, as she caught the kiss. "Some one may break the seal, my liege; who knows?"
"How now?" questioned Charles, jealously.
Nell hugged herself as she saw his fitful mood; for beneath mock jealousy she thought she saw the germ of true jealousy. She laughed wistfully as she explained: "It were better to come up and seal them tighter, Sire."
"Minx!" he chuckled, and tossed another kiss.
The horn again echoed through the woods. He started.
"Now we'll despatch the affairs of England, brother; then we'll sup with pretty Nelly. Poor brother James! Heaven bless him and his ostriches."