"Well, well," cried the King, "I'll not sign it, man.--That's to say, not just at present."
"Well then, sire," replied Overbury, determined to make one more effort, "I had better tell my Lord of Rochester at once, not to keep him any longer in suspense. I hear his foot upon the stairs."
"No, no," cried the King, hesitating; "let's see, let's see. Give me the paper."
Overbury gave him the paper, repeating, "I had better let him know your Majesty's resolution at once."
Rochester's step was now distinctly heard coming along the corridor, and James looked round with a sort of nervous glance, exclaiming,--
"Where's the pen? where's the pen?"
"There, your Majesty," answered Overbury, putting one into his hand.
James wrote his name rapidly at the bottom of the paper, and gave it to Overbury, saying, "There, there, let him have it. But do not stop him now; and hark ye, you need not say that we refused to do it."
"I shall tell him, sire," replied Overbury, "that nothing but your Majesty's great regard for him induced you to consent."
"Well, well, that will do--but do not stop him now," answered James, hastily; and then exclaimed, as Rochester entered the closet, "The horses, man! the horses!"