feared," he thought. "Devil
take his Majesty's meandering heart."

"Odsfish," laughed Charles, "we must guard our Nelly, or James and his
saintly followers will rob her bower by moonlight."

The Duke of York assumed a devout and dignified mien. "Sire," he
attempted to explain, but was interrupted quickly by his Majesty.

"No apologies, pious brother. God never damned a man for a little
irregular pleasure."

There was a tittering among the courtiers as the King's words fell upon
their ears.

James continued to apologize. "In faith, we were simply passing--" he
said.

Again he was interrupted by his Majesty, who was in the best of humour
and much pleased at the discomfiture of his over-religious brother.

"Lorenzo too was simply passing," he observed, "but the fair Jessica and
some odd ducats stuck to his girdle; and the Jew will still be tearing
his hair long after we are dust. Ah, Buckingham, they tell me you too
have a taste for roguish Nelly. Have a care!"

The King strode across to Buckingham as he spoke; and while there was
humour in his tone, there was injunction also.

Buckingham was too great a courtier not to see and feel it. He bowed
respectfully, replying to his Majesty, "Sire, I would not presume to
follow the King's eyes, however much I admire their taste."

"'T'is well," replied his Majesty, pointedly, "lest they lead thee
abroad on a sleeveless mission."

Others had travelled upon such missions; Buckingham knew it well.

"But what does your Majesty here to-night, if we dare ask?" questioned
James, who had just bethought him how to turn the tables upon the King.

Charles looked at his brother quizzically. "Humph!" he exclaimed, in his
peculiar way. "Feeding my ducks in yonder pond." His staff swept
indefinitely toward the park.

"Hunting with us were nobler business, Sire," suggested James,
decisively.

"Not so," replied the King, quite seriously. "My way--I learn to
legislate for ducks."

"'T'were wiser," preached York, "to study your subjects' needs."

The King's eyes twinkled. "I go among them," he said, "and learn their
needs, while you are praying, brother."

At this sally, Rochester became convulsed, though he hid it well; for
Rochester was not as pious as brother James.

York, feeling that the sympathy was against him, grew more earnest
still. "I wish your Majesty would have more care," he pleaded. "'Tis a
crime against yourself, a crime against the state, a crime against the