ith less pains than he had looked for, succeeded in convincing the
facile and intelligent sovereign that for both the quarrel and its
result Tom Elliot had been alone answerable. Probability leads us to
suspect that Charles had his own reasons for the readiness with which he
accepted the governor's arguments. Among all the young king's heavy
faults, vindictiveness was not, at that time, in the faintest degree
traceable; but, besides that, he had learned, in the intercourse of the
last day or two before the fatal encounter, too much of Elliot's
nefarious designs upon Marguerite de St. Martin to suppose that he would
with decency punish the conduct of her defender. Nor need we wonder if a
bag of Rose Lempriere's pistoles lent weight, even to royal scruples.

"Odsfish, Sir George," he said, finally, "I believe that you must e'en
take the pardon of your choleric countryman."

"Your majesty is ever gracious," answered Carteret, with his best
quarter-deck reverence, "though under your pardon my countrymen are in
no respect to be taxed with ready choler. They are ever courteous and
patient. Only steadfast malice is what they cannot abide."

"I dare be bold to say that human nature hath its operation amongst
them," answered Charles, with his languid smile. "Give them what they
want and their temper is easy. But enough of this, Nicholas will draw
the pardon, and it shall be signed and sealed anon. But, further, take
order that there be no more duelling. And now, as touching another of
your prisoners, Major Querto?"

"The major was arrested among those present at the duel, in which it
hath been shown that he was not a participator," said Sir George; "but
letters have been found in his possession which hinder his release
without further inquiry."

"I can be the major's warrant," answered Charles. "He was a trooper in
Goring's horse, and rose by reason of his wife being chosen to nurse my
mother's last-born infant at Exeter. When her majesty retired into
France, Querto, raised to be a commissioned officer, remained in
Exeter. When that city was taken he followed his wife to France, from
whence he is now come, bringing letters from her majesty to me."

"By your leave, sir," answered Carteret, "your information lacks
completeness. Querto by no means repaired from Exeter to France. We have
searched his valise, and have taken therefrom a packet of papers, from
which it plainly appears that he is a false knave, who hath bubbled bot