"I come from Bentley House with my young mistress, and am taking her to Packington Hall," replied Charles, readily.
"Why, then, you must be Mistress Jane Lane's groom," observed the smith. "The gossip hereabouts is that Sir Clement Fisher is betrothed to her. But I don't think the marriage will take place just yet."
"Wherefore not?" inquired the king.
"Because Sir Clement has got himself into trouble by his foolish adherence to Charles Stuart. He is sure to be heavily fined, if not imprisoned. Why, you look confounded, young man. Hold up your horse's foot while I clap on the shoe."
Charles complied, and nothing more passed between them until the smith had completed his job, when he remarked:
"This is a good horse of yours, friend. He would go a long way without tiring."
"Yes, I have ridden him a good many miles at a stretch" rejoined Charles.
"Perchance from Worcester to Bentley House?" remarked the smith, with a knowing look.
"Not quite so far as that," replied the king.
"Nay, I don't wish to appear inquisitive," said the smith. "I've heard that Colonel Lane was at Worcester, and I thought you might have been there with him."