"You are mistaken, Pope," she cried.
"No, madam," he rejoined, gravely, "I am too well acquainted with the king's face to be mistaken. But you need not be alarmed. His majesty may rely on my silence."
Just as the words were uttered, the object of their conversation came in. A look from Jane told the king that the secret had been discovered.
"Soh, Pope has found me out!" he exclaimed. "I thought he would. But I can trust him, for I know him to be an honest fellow, who would scorn to betray his sovereign."
"I have sworn allegiance to you, sire," replied Pope, "and I will never break my oath."
And as he spoke he knelt down and kissed the hand which Charles graciously extended to him.
"Do not let your zeal lead you into any indiscretion, Pope," said the king. "Show me no marks of respect when any one is present, except Mistress Jane Lane, but continue to treat me as Will Jones."
"I will carefully attend to your majesty's injunctions," said Pope.
Feeling now quite sure that the king would be well attended to, Jane left the room.