After the peace and the pardon of Conde by the French king, the armies were disbanded, and the three adventurers were free. They took their leave of the prince, who thanked them for their long and meritorious services; and they then hastened to King Charles, who had left Spain and come to the Low Countries. At the time of their joining the king, Richard, the son of Cromwell, who had been nominated Protector, had resigned, and every thing was ready for the Restoration.
On the 15th of May, 1660, the news arrived that Charles had been proclaimed king on the 8th, and a large body of gentlemen went to invite him over. The king sailed from Scheveling, was met at Dover by General Monk, and conducted to London, which he entered amid the acclamations of the people, on the 29th of the same month.
We may leave the reader to suppose that Edward, Chaloner, and Grenville were among the most favored of those in his train. As the procession moved slowly along the Strand, through a countless multitude, the windows of all the houses were filled with well-dressed ladies, who waved their white kerchiefs to the king and his attendant suit. Chaloner, Edward, and Grenville, who rode side by side as gentlemen in waiting, were certainly the most distinguished among the king's retinue.
"Look, Edward," said Chaloner, "at those lovely girls at yon window. Do you recognize them?"
"Indeed I do not. Are they any of our Paris beauties?"
"Why, thou insensible and unnatural animal! they are thy sisters, Alice and Edith; and do you not recognize behind them my good aunts Conynghame?"
"It is so, I believe," replied Edward. "Yes, now that Edith smiles, I'm sure it is them."
"Yes," replied Grenville, "there can be no doubt of that; but will they, think you, recognize us?"
"We shall see," replied Edward, as they now approached within a few yards of the window; for while they had been speaking the procession had stopped.
"Is it possible," thought Edward, "that these can be the two girls in russet gowns, that I left at the cottage? And yet it must be. Well, Chaloner, to all appearance, your good aunts have done justice to their charge."