d was that Gretchen had begged my life of the
Prince--and then run away!

At the palace the Chancellor met me in the anteroom. His face was
grave almost to gloominess.

"Have you ever seen a King angry?" he asked. "Ah, it is not a pleasant
sight, on my word; least of all, to the one who has caused a King's
anger."

"You alarm me," I said. "Have I done aught to bring the anger of the
King upon my head?"

"Ah, but you have! The King is like a bear in his den. He walks back
and forth, waving his hands, pulling his mustache and muttering dire
threats."

"Might I not take to my legs?" I asked. After all, I cared more than I
thought I should in regard to what the King might do to me.

The Chancellor gave my back a sounding thump, and roared with laughter.

"Cheerful, my son; be cheerful! You are a favorite already."

"You bewilder me."

"You have powerful friends; and if the King is angry you need have no
fear."

"I should like to know--" I began.

"Ah!" interrupted the Chancellor, "the audience is ended; it is our
turn. The Austrian Ambassador," he whispered as a gray-haired man
passed us, bowing. There was an exchange of courtesies, and once more
I stood before the King.

"I believe you have kept me waiting," said the King, "as Louis once
said." He gazed at me from under knotted eyebrows. "I wish,"
petulantly, "that you had remained in your own country."

"So do I, Your Majesty," I replied honestly. The Chancellor shook with
laughter, and the King glared at him furiously.

"What is your name?" asked the King in a milder tone. He was holding a
missive in his hand.

"John Winthrop," I answered. I was wondering what it was all about.

"Were you born in America?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Is your family an honored one in your country?"

"It is," I answered proudly.

"Then, why in heaven's name do you scribble?" cried the King.

"In my country one may have an honored name and still be compelled to
earn a competence."

"Ah, yes! After all, scribbling is better than owning a shop." This
is the usual argument of Kings. "Can you trace your pedigree very far
back?" the King proceeded.

"My ancestors came over in the Mayflower," said I.

"The Mayflower?" said the King, puzzled.

"All the Americans," explained the Chancellor, "went over in the
Mayflower. The ark and the Mayflower were the largest ships ever put
to sea, Your Majesty." To hide his smile, the Chancellor passed over
to th