"Well, Margaret, you had better indulge him in his whim. Let him have some mulled sack, since he fancies the brewage." "But that's not all," pursued Margaret Rider. "Mulled sack won't content him. He declares he is very hungry, and must have a good supper." "Poor young man!" exclaimed Jane, in a commiserating tone. "He has had a long day's journey. Let him have some supper." "It strikes me, madam, that he is not so ill as he pretends to be. I don't see why he shouldn't sup in the servants' hall." "Indulge him, Margaret--pray indulge him. He is worse than he looks. Ague is very obstinate." "In my opinion, madam, the young man himself is very obstinate. Nothing seems good enough for him. I am sure he is very well lodged, yet he is not satisfied with his room." "Well, let him have a better room, Margaret." "I think you show him too much indulgence, madam. But I will attend to your orders." And Margaret departed. On going down-stairs, Jane repaired to the butler's pantry, where she found Pope, and was about to give him some further directions, when he said to her, in a very grave tone: "I do not know, madam, whether you are aware that I had the honour of serving Mr. Thomas Jermyn, when he was groom of the bedchamber to the Prince of Wales at Richmond. His royal highness was a boy at the time, but I recollect him perfectly." He paused and looked at Jane, but as she made no remark, he went on. "Subsequently, I served in the late king's army under Colonel Bagot, and constantly saw the prince at that time, so that his features are graven upon my memory." "Why do you mention this to me, Pope?" inquired Jane, uneasily, for she suspected what was coming. "Can you not guess, madam?" he rejoined. "Well, then, since I must needs speak plainly--in your groom, Will Jones, I recognise the king." "You are mistaken, Pope," she cried. "No, madam," he rejoined, gravely, "I am too well acquainted with the king's face to be mistaken. But you need not be alarmed. His majesty may rely on my silence." Just as the words were uttered, the object of their conversation came in. A look from Jane told the king that the secret had been discovered. "Soh, Pope has found me out!" he exclaimed. "I thought he would. But I can trust him, for I know him to be an honest fellow, who would scorn to betray his sovereign." "I have sworn allegiance to you, sire," replied Pope, "and I will never break my oath." And as he spoke he knelt down and kissed the hand which Charles graciously extended to him. "Do not let your zeal lead you into any indiscretion, Pope," said the king. "Show me no marks of respect when any one is present, except Mistress Jane Lane, but continue to treat me as Will Jones." "I will carefully attend to your majesty's injunctions," said Pope. Feeling now quite sure that the king would be well attended to, Jane left the room.