"Give me your hand. Now that we know your principles, we can trust you, and talk freely. This is a Royalist house. All within it are sworn to the king. Our honoured master, the colonel, fought for his majesty at Worcester, and we should have fought for him had we been there. Our young mistress rendered the king great service." "Ay, that she did," cried Charles, earnestly--"services he ought never to forget." "Ay, she's a brave young lady," said March, "and has more spirit in her than many a man. If the king could be saved by a woman, Mistress Jane is the one to do it." "What has become of the king since Worcester fight?" inquired the supposed groom. "Thou canst keep a secret, Will Jones?--ha!" "Ay, marry, can I," was the answer. "But swear thou wilt not reveal what I shall disclose to thee." "If an oath be necessary, I swear to keep silence." "Then learn that his sacred majesty is in this house. He came here yesterday. I recognised him at once, and let him see that I did so." "Did he admit his high rank?" "Not exactly--but he didn't deny it. Thou thyself hast seen him and conversed with him!" Will Jones expressed his astonishment. "Yes, he went with thee to the stables this morning." "Was that the king?" cried Will Jones. "I should never have thought it." "Wherefore not? Undoubtedly the person in question is much handsomer than his majesty is reported, for the Roundheads always paint him in black colours--but 'tis the king I will maintain." At this moment Careless entered the buttery, and looked around as if in quest of some one. "'Tis he!" exclaimed the butler, rising. All the other servants rose at the same time, but Will Jones went on quietly with his breakfast. "Get up," said March, in a low tone. "I tell thee 'tis the king." "I am not supposed to know him," replied Will Jones. "Don't disturb yourselves, I beg," said Careless. "When thou hast finished breakfast, Will, I want to speak to thee." "I shall have done directly," rejoined the disguised groom, regardless of the butler's glances. "Was there ever such an oaf!" cried March, in a low voice. "Has your majesty any commands that I can execute?" he added, stepping forward, and making a profound obeisance to Careless. "Hush!" exclaimed the other. "You will betray me." "No fear of Will Jones, my liege," rejoined March. "A dolt, but trusty. Your majesty may take him into your confidence." "He knows who I am, then?" said Careless. "He does, my liege. I made the revelation to him under a solemn pledge of secrecy. I hope I have not done wrong." "If a mistake has been made, 'tis too late now to remedy it," said Careless. "No harm has been done, I can assure your majesty. I'll answer for the young man. Will Jones!" he cried, authoritatively, "dost not perceive that thou art wanted?" But the obstinate groom refused to move. "Let him finish his breakfast, and then send him after me to the stables," said Careless, quitting the buttery.