"'Must and will' see him?"
"Ay, and without delay. You will incur his sovereign displeasure if you detain me."
"I will put that to the test," cried Careless. "You must stay here while I go to him."
An end, however, was put to the discussion by the appearance of the royal personage to whom it related.
Charles, having finished his devotions in the oratory, had come forth into the garden, and after lingering there for a short time had passed out into the wood, where he chanced upon an opening that gave him a view of the vast sylvan scene with the Clee Hills and the rounded Wrekin in the distance.
After gazing at the fair prospect for a few minutes he moved in another direction, and presently came in sight of the party standing beneath the trees. Great was his surprise, when the page, who could not be restrained by Careless, ran towards him, and would have bent the knee, if the king had not checked him.
"How is this?" cried Charles. "Have you left your mistress to follow the fortunes of a fugitive Cavalier?"
"I hope soon to rejoin Mistress Jane Lane, my liege," replied Jasper. "I have not come in quest of Major Careless, for sooth to say, I did not know he was here. I have come to warn your majesty that your enemies are on your track, and will search for you here to-day."
"Here!" exclaimed Charles.