ucted to the
king's presence.

The Count de Grammont, (who had made his peace for his seeming
desertion of the previous evening,) Lord Arlington, and Sir Charles
Sedly, were with the king when Colonel Boynton was announced.

The old man knelt at the monarch's feet, and taking his hand, kissed
it fervently.

"Rise, my gallant old friend, rise!" said Charles, assisting him as he
spoke; "it gives us joy to see one so faithful, and so long neglected,
once more near our person. Our greatest grief is that so tried a
servant, and so brave an officer as Colonel Boynton should have been
in adversity and we not know even of his existence; but you shall be
cared for, my old friend, and the future shall prove to you that
Charles knows how to be grateful to those who have served him when he
most needed services."

"Your majesty is over bountiful to one who wronged you by supposing
you capable of injustice. For this I crave your royal pardon, and also
for another and more heinous offence."

"Thou hast it," replied the king, "even if the offence be treason
against ourself."

"It is the offence of having imposed upon my sovereign," exclaimed a
voice that made the king start, while Rochester, ridding himself of
his disguise, knelt before him.

"By my life, it is Rochester!" cried the king, starting back from the
prostrate earl, while every one present, except De Grammont, was
filled with amazement at the sudden transformation of Colonel Boynton.

Charles was at first disposed to laugh, but recollecting his outraged
dignity, he restrained himself, and addressed his banished courtier in
terms of considerable severity.

"This presumption, my Lord Rochester," said he, "ill becomes you; nor
can the insult to your king be easily atoned for."

"Pardon me, my liege--" Rochester commenced.

"By what authority," said the king, interrupting him, "have you
ventured to intrude yourself upon our presence, contrary to our
express commands?"

"Simply by this, my gracious liege," replied the earl, handing the
paper he had received the previous evening, and pointing to the word
_bearer_.

"That, sir, was given to another, and a worthier person than the Earl
of Rochester."

"I might, your majesty," said Rochester, lowering his voice, and
approaching nearer to the king, "defend myself from the insinuation,
but I am prevented by a powerful reason, for, when we find the wolf in
the sheepfold, we may slay him, but who dare approach the lio