"That," replied the astrologer, "is too precarious a place for me. They say that Rochester is banished from King Charles's court, and what hope could I have of pleasing if he could be dispensed with? Nevertheless, I'll prove my words."
"Tell me, then, of the present," said Charles.
"I'll tell you of a war, and a concluded treaty of peace, that the world knows not yet of."
"With what nation, most sapient sir?" asked the monarch, laughing.
"With a woman!" replied the doctor. "There is one, who this morning was styled a countess, and, as such, waged war against you; the preliminaries of peace have been signed, and she is now the Duchess of Cleveland, for which concession she has consented to abjure the society of St. Albans' nephew, Jermyn, and to meddle no more with his Majesty's passion for the pretty Stewart!"
"Thou dealest with the devil!" exclaimed the monarch, startled into an awkward admission.
"I deal with the stars," replied the doctor, gravely, "and they are unerring guides."
"Let them speak of the future, then, and perchance I may think so."
"There is a bird a monarch seeks to cage, though the trembler knows him not. This night he hies to her bower in a strange habit, and hopes to win her thence; but let him take heed that more eyes look not on him than the young bird's; she may escape, and he be unmasked."
"Odds my life! my friend, I think thou knowest me," cried Charles, laughing, as he drew a purse from his belt.