nce generally occurred at least once a year, and sometimes
oftener, as in seeking amusement for himself and friends, he held
nothing sacred. Persons and things alike shared his satire and his
wit, and even majesty was not always exempt from the shafts he
lavished so freely on all sides.

The dialogue detailed in the last chapter was the result of one of
those indiscretions. He had presented Charles to the court in so very
ridiculous a light, that the monarch became highly incensed, and
banished him from his presence. Rochester, at the time, happened to be
engaged in an intrigue with one of the maids of honor to the Duchess
of York, which made this interruption to his avocations the more
unpleasant than it otherwise would have been. He bore it, however,
with his usual humor, and left the court, declaring that his disgrace
could not be of long duration, as he was quite as indispensable to
Charles as Charles was necessary to him, and that within two months he
would be recalled.

This inconsiderate boast had, as we have seen, been as inconsiderately
repeated to the king, and resulted in the monarch's declaration that
Rochester should not return to court until his wit had induced him,
Charles, either to wait upon him three several times, or to command
his presence.

The Count de Grammont took an early opportunity of communicating this
resolution to his friend, and though he was himself sanguine in his
hopes, and fertile in his invention, he was not a little surprised at
the indifferent, not to say facetious, manner of its reception by
Rochester.

"I accept his majesty's challenge," exclaimed the wit, laughing; "and
by Miss Hobart's wrinkles, and the fair Temple's smiles, I swear, I am
now disposed to say that within a single moon our sacred, sapient king
shall command the presence of his most melancholy subject; ay, and
wait upon him, too."

"Be not too confident, _mon chere ami_" said De Grammont, "for this
time, for a wonder, our Charles is serious, and he must work deeply
and sharply who outwits him."

"But he shall be outwitted, O, most unbelieving of infidels!" cried
Rochester, "if thou wilt only prove true to me."

"Thou hast me as sure as thy blade," replied the count.

"Then within a month," said the earl, "the smiles of Rochester shall
once more illuminate the court; and those who sigh in sadness now
shall confess that the sun shone not during his absence. Do you but
second my projects, and obey my behest