Cuthbert's heart by so doing. She questioned him in
private about the marriage in the church porch, of which he had
been witness, and plainly all he told her only went to strengthen
her conviction that the matter had gone too far to admit of any
drawing back without some breach of faith that was akin to
sacrilege.

After the meal, which seemed stately and long to Cuthbert,
Culverhouse asked him would he like to see the Houses of
Parliament, where the King would shortly meet his Lords and
Commons. Cuthbert eagerly assented, and the two youths spent some
time in wandering about the stately buildings, to which Culverhouse
could obtain easy admittance; the Viscount explaining to his
companion where the King sat and where his immediate counsellors,
to all of which Cuthbert listened with marked attention.

There were several attendants and ushers within the building, and
Culverhouse told him that orders had been given to keep strict
watch over the building both by night and day.

"The King is not like our good Queen--Heaven rest her soul!" said
the Viscount, laughing. "He does not trust his people. He is always
in fear of some mischance either through accident or design. Well
may the great Shakespeare have said: 'Uneasy lies the head that
wears a crown!' Albeit the King would do better to have a little
more courage."

This was the first word Cuthbert had heard of any uneasiness in
high quarters, and he asked with some eagerness:

"Meanest thou that the King fears some evil to himself at this
time?"

"No; I have heard naught of that. The country seems unwontedly
quiet. It is the fear which never leaves him--the fear that makes
him wear a doublet so thickly quilted that it would suffice to turn
the sharpest blade, even as a suit of chain mail. He is always
dreading assassination. That is why he wills such close watch to be
kept, lest haply any evil-disposed person might find hiding within
the walls and spring upon him unawares. Methinks it is an unkingly
fear, but there it be, and he carries it ever with him. The Queen
had none such--nor had she need; and as thou knowest, when once an
assassin did approach her when she was alone in her garden, the
glance of her eye kept him cowed and at bay till her gentlemen
could hasten to her side. She was a Queen in very truth! I would we
had more of her like!"

Culverhouse spoke out aloud, careless of being overheard, for he
was but speaking the thoughts of the whole nation. Cu