w long would he sit here? James is a fool, how long would
he sit here? They laugh at me or snarl at me, but here I sit, and here I
will sit till my life's end, by God's grace or the Devil's help. My
gospel is to sit here."

I had never before seen him so moved, and never had so plain a glimpse
of his heart, nor of the resolve which lay beneath his lightness and
frivolity. Whence came that one unswerving resolution I know not; yet I
do not think that it stood on nothing better than his indolence and a
hatred of going again on his travels. There was more than that in it;
perhaps he seemed to himself to hold a fort and considered all
stratagems and devices well justified against the enemy. I made him no
answer but continued to look at him. His passion passed as quickly as it
had come, and he was smiling again with his ironical smile as he said to
me:

"But my gospel need not be yours. Our paths have crossed, they need not
run side by side. Come, man, I have spoken to you plainly, speak plainly
to me." He paused, and then, leaning forward, said,

"Perhaps you are of M. de Fontelles' mind? Will you join him in his
search? Abandon it. You had best go to your home and wait. Heaven may
one day send you what you desire. Answer me, sir. Are you of the
Frenchman's mind?"

His voice now had the ring of command in it and I could not but answer.
And when I came to answer there was but one thing to say. He had told me
the terms of my service. What was it to me that he sat there, if honour
and the Kingdom's greatness and all that makes a crown worth the wearing
must go, in order to his sitting there? There rose in me at once an
inclination towards him and a loathing for the gospel that he preached;
the last was stronger and, with a bow, I said:

"Yes, Sir, I am of M. de Fontelles' mind."

He heard me, lying back in his chair. He said nothing, but sighed
lightly, puckered his brow an instant, and smiled. Then he held out his
hand to me, and I bent and kissed it.

"Good-bye, Mr Dale," said he. "I don't know how long you'll have to
wait. I'm hale and--so's my brother."

He moved his hand in dismissal, and, having withdrawn some paces, I
turned and walked away. All observed or seemed to observe me; I heard
whispers that asked who I was, why the King had talked so long to me,
and to what service or high office I was destined. Acquaintances saluted
me and stared in wonder at my careless acknowledgment and the quick
decisive tread t