“Then set all the men in Britain to watch me, Sire,” said Nell; “for, from now on, I’ll need it.”
The King shook his finger warningly at her, then leaned carelessly against the window.
“Ho there!” he cried out suddenly. “A night disturbance, a drunken brawl, beneath our very ears! Fellow-saints, what mean my subjects from their beds this hour of night? Their sovereign does the revelling for the realm. James, Rochester and all, see to ’t!”
CHAPTER XVII
The day will be so happy; for I’ve seen you at the dawn.
The room was quickly cleared, the King’s courtiers jostling one another in their efforts to carry out the royal bidding.
Charles turned with a merry laugh and seized Nell in his arms almost fiercely.
“A subterfuge!” he cried eagerly. “Nell, quick; one kiss!”
“Nay; you question my constancy to-night,” said Nell, sadly, as she looked into his eyes, with the look of perfect love. “You do not trust me.”