fiercely, and
with a desperate effort he blurted out:

"I thought you were playing a very dangerous game."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

A ROYAL WELCOME.

There was plenty of colour and brightness in the group awaiting the
coming of Francis and his travel-stained followers. Courtiers stood
around with their gay, picturesque garments rendered more striking by
the sunset glow, vivified by passing through a stained-glass window
which shone down upon the central figure of the group, a big, bluff,
rather heavy-faced, typically English yeoman in expression, upon whom
Francis fixed his eyes and kept them there as upon the principal
picture, all the rest being merely frame.

Irrespective of his position, the visitor would have known him at once
from the descriptions he had heard from ambassadors to the English Court
of what the English King was like; and forgetful of everything else, all
courtly custom, his secret mission, and his assumed character, Francis
made a slight obeisance and stepped forward eagerly to greet his brother
King.

On the other hand King Henry gazed curiously at his visitor who bore
such worthy credentials, and he put out his hand as he stood drawing
himself up proudly, expecting to see the Comte sink upon one knee and
press it to his lips; but, to his utter astonishment, Francis came close
up, apparently not in the slightest degree dazzled or abashed by his
magnificence, to stop short when within easy reach, and, instead of
sinking down, exclaimed, "Aha! The brave, soldierly King Hal!" clapped
both hands upon his brother monarch's shoulders, let them glide quickly
onward till they joined behind the King's neck, and the next moment the
embrace tightened as he kissed the plump cheeks that were beginning to
flame smartly in turn.

"This," he cried, "is a great joy that pays me for my long journey
here."

The English King drew back in astonishment, and glanced quickly to right
and left of his assembled courtiers, as if asking the meaning of this
outrage, this strange conduct so completely in opposition to all Court
etiquette.

He was completely stunned for the moment, and his inclination was to
exclaim, "Is this man mad?" But as he looked round it was to see face
after face expanded or contracted by the mirthful feeling within his
followers' breasts, and then rendered grotesque by their owners' efforts
to turn solemn and serious once more.

A change came over the King's countenance. It was as a