me as we went. I think he himself was
fully convinced of my innocence--at least of any deliberate
treachery--but not so convinced that others would be; and that he was
considering how he should put my case. It was a sad humiliation for
me--this trudging along like a schoolboy going to be whipped, with a
couple of guards following to see that I did not evade it.

We went straight upstairs, through the antechamber, and to the door of
the private closet. I heard voices talking there--one of which cried to
come in as the page knocked. Then we entered.

I had thought to find His Majesty alone, or very nearly so; and I was
astonished and disconcerted at the number of persons that were there.
The King himself was seated beyond his great table, with the rest
standing about him, five in number. On his right was Sir George Jeffreys
in his rich suit, just as he had come from some entertainment, his
handsome face flushed with wine, yet none the less full of wit and
attention. The officer of the Green Cloth was on the other side--(it was
this gentleman's business to deal with all cases, within his
jurisdiction, that took their rise in Whitehall itself); and a couple of
magistrates beside him, with neither of whom I had any acquaintance. An
officer, whose face again was new to me--named Colonel Hoskyns--a
truculent-looking fellow, in the dress of His Majesty's Lifeguards,
stood very upright beside Sir George Jeffreys, with his hat in his hand.
A sheaf of papers lay before the King on the table.

I was even more disconcerted to see how His Majesty looked. An hour or
two ago he had been smiling and gracious: now he wore a very stern look
on his face; he made no sign of recognition as I came in after Mr.
Chiffinch, but, so soon as the door was shut, spoke immediately to the
page.

"Well?" he said. "What have you got from him?"

Chiffinch advanced a step nearer, glancing at the faces that all looked
on him.

"Sir," he said, "I am convinced there has been nothing more than an
indiscretion--"

Then the King shewed how angry he was. He threw himself back in his
chair.

"Bah!" he cried--"an indiscretion indeed! With his guilt staring him
in the face!"

There was a murmur from the others: and Colonel Hoskyns gave me a look
of very high disdain, as if I had been a toad or a serpent. For myself I
said nothing: I remained with my eyes down. Once or twice before I had
seen His Majesty in this very mood. For the most part he was the l