many and as great vicissitudes even as the monarch now
seated upon England's throne, and that thou hast profited as little by
them."

Charles exchanged a smile with De Grammont, as he said--

"I thought you had a throne reserved for me, though I fear me 'tis in
the moon it must be fixed. Prove but your words, however, and thou
shalt be my chief favorite."

"That," replied the astrologer, "is too precarious a place for me.
They say that Rochester is banished from King Charles's court, and
what hope could I have of pleasing if he could be dispensed with?
Nevertheless, I'll prove my words."

"Tell me, then, of the present," said Charles.

"I'll tell you of a war, and a concluded treaty of peace, that the
world knows not yet of."

"With what nation, most sapient sir?" asked the monarch, laughing.

"With a woman!" replied the doctor. "There is one, who this morning
was styled a countess, and, as such, waged war against you; the
preliminaries of peace have been signed, and she is now the Duchess of
Cleveland, for which concession she has consented to abjure the
society of St. Albans' nephew, Jermyn, and to meddle no more with his
Majesty's passion for the pretty Stewart!"

"Thou dealest with the devil!" exclaimed the monarch, startled into an
awkward admission.

"_I deal with the stars_," replied the doctor, gravely, "_and they are
unerring guides_."

"Let them speak of the future, then, and perchance I may think so."

"There is a bird a monarch seeks to cage, though the trembler knows
him not. This night he hies to her bower in a strange habit, and hopes
to win her thence; but let him take heed that more eyes look not on
him than the young bird's; she may escape, and he be unmasked."

"Odds my life! my friend, I think thou knowest me," cried Charles,
laughing, as he drew a purse from his belt.

"The stars proclaim thee England's king," replied the astrologer, as
he bent his knee to the monarch.

Charles satisfied himself by asking a few more questions, then threw
the doctor his purse, and, bidding him come to the palace to receive
another, he departed.

The doctor reseated himself, and taking off his cap and venerable wig
he disclosed the now easily recognized features of the Earl of
Rochester.

Rochester indulged in a hearty fit of laughter, as he muttered to
himself,--"Already you have been outwitted once, friend Charles,
thanks to De Grammont's aid, and shall be thrice, or Rochester will
confess him