The chargers had been carefully tended by Sir John’s men, who did not fail to point out that they were not taking their corn happily; and it was perfectly evident to everyone that their hard day’s work, following so closely upon much riding down to the port and the stormy crossing, had made them in a very unsatisfactory condition.
“Humph!” grunted the King. “They don’t look as I should like.”
“Splendid beasts,” said Sir John; “but they want eight and forty hours’ rest. You will not think of continuing your journey to-day?”
“Indeed but I shall,” said the King,—“er—that is—how do you think they look, Saint Simon?”
“Bough,” said the young man laconically.
The King grunted and frowned.
“I fear you think that you will not be welcome, my lord,” said Sir John, “and I beg that you will dismiss all such thoughts. Make up your mind, pray, to stay for the next eight and forty hours. I beg you will. Then we shall see how the poor beasts are. Besides, we have to think of our young friend.”
The result was that the King consented to stop for the aforesaid forty-eight hours, at the end of which time, feeling himself very comfortable and enjoying his host’s company, he needed very little pressure to prolong his stay, especially as Leoni announced that, though Denis was mending fast, riding might have a bad effect and delay his recovery.
