"My Lord Newcastle's!" cried Lionel, coming to Dick's assistance. "What are you doing?" "What you should be doing," Lionel retorted; "minding our own business." There was a very hurriedly-suppressed laugh. The officer had only just time to spring back to his place, saluting, as Prince Rupert sauntered past on his way to the Queen's rooms--a perfect dream of scarlet and gold, with his tall fair head, and superb, easy grace. His page, carrying his cloak and plumed hat, followed him as far as the steps, where he bowed sedately to his master's back, and then came up to join Lionel in the gallery. He would have proceeded to quiz Dick, but Dick was far too intent upon his own affairs to heed questions, or answer them. "New to his place?" said the scented page scornfully. "Not so new but he can keep others in theirs," Lionel responded. They kept up a lively bickering, for the servants were rivals as much as their masters, whilst Dick, all eyes, watched the brilliant scene below. The unhurried movements, the decorous laughter, the soft lights were very enthralling. But what now? A gentleman darted down the steps, brushing past him, spoke to the guard, and came back. "What's the news, friend?" asked the page. "His Majesty," the gentleman replied, sitting down by them. "He goes to speak to the Prince before supper." "Hey, big eyes!" cried the page, "step out and see thy King!" He gave Dick a push which unintentionally sent him flying out upon the top step. His torch flew from his hand, clattering into the hall below. The King's gentleman cuffed the page. Lionel sprang to his feet. The guardsman at the foot of the steps wheeled with a growl of anger. The rest saluted. A gentleman passing stopped and looked up. Dick gave a cry, plunged down the steps, and was pinioned by the guardsman. "Let me go!" he cried. "Sir!--for pity's sake!" "Let him go," said the gentleman. "He is a friend of mine. Stand back!" Dick had contracted an odd habit at the inn of clasping and wringing his hands, whilst his eyes looked up in such a way that no one less than a brute could have denied him anything. As the guard, astonished, fell back, he stood before Giles's master in this pathetic way, saying: "Sir, help me for Giles's sake!" The gentleman, somewhat moved, stretched out his hand. Dick took it in both his own and shook it heartily. "Great powers!" murmured Lionel, staggering back. "Well I--never--did!" gasped the appalled and tittering page. "What help do you need, Sir Richard Chester?" asked Giles's master, stroking his moustache to hide a smile. "Is it another castle to relieve?" "No, sir," said Dick, conscious of the staring eyes about him. "'Tis about my cousin Dorothy--the Lady Dorothy Byng." "What of her?" demanded the gentleman, waving back a brilliant creature with a white wand, who was bearing down upon them. "We--we must stop her marrying--" Dick began.