“Yes, Sire; but your royal life is the greatest of your possessions, and I felt that might be in danger. You gave me a free hand to do what was best in your service, and even if I have offended I deemed it my duty to save my sovereign’s life even at the cost of my own. Your Majesty, I have no further defence to make.”
“Hah!” said the King. “He has disarmed me, boys, and I as his master almost feel that I cannot order him to execution for such a crime as this. What say you, Denis, lad?”
“I say, sir,” said the boy, laughing softly, “that this is England, sir, and that you are not King, but my Lord the Comte de la Seine, who has no power to inflict such a punishment as this.”
“Hah!” said the King, chuckling. “And you, silent Wisehead Saint Simon, what is your judgement?”
“Oh, sir, I think Denis is quite right; but I should like to add one thing.”
“Hah!” cried the King. “This fight has made you find your tongue, my lad. Now then, let’s have what you think about Master Leoni’s offence.”
“I think, sir, that we had better get on a little faster, for I don’t want another fight to-night.”
“Neither do I,” said the King, laughing softly, “for I am sore all over, and I should be miserable if it were not for the thought that this ruffian gang must have suffered far more than we. Why, Master Leoni, the point of your sword I could well believe must have been everywhere at once.”
“A trick of fence, sir, merely a trick of fence,” said Leoni quietly. “Your lordship knows how for years I have studied every Italian trick, and it comes easy and useful at a time like this.”
“My faith, yes!” said the King, drawing a deep breath. “There, Master Leoni, I must forgive you this time; but don’t offend again. Now then, before we drop into a canter, I believe you know the English roads by heart: can you act as our guide to-night?”