"Oh! you draw the line there, do you?" "No, Sir. It is God Almighty who has drawn it. I am not responsible." "But you observe God His line?" "Yes, Sir. At least, I try to." "We all do that, I suppose. The pity is that we do not succeed more consistently ... Well, Mr. Mallock, I have nothing for you at present. I am a great deal too busy. These ladies, you know, demand so much. I suppose you heard one of them laugh just now?" "I hear nothing but Your Majesty's commands," I said very meekly. Charles laughed again and began to walk up and down. "Well--and there are all these clockwork businesses, and chymical and the like. And there is so much to eat and drink and see: and there are the affairs of the kingdom--I had forgot that. Well; I have no time at present, Mr. Mallock, as you can see for yourself. But I will not forget you, if I want you. Where do you lodge?" I named my lodgings in Covent Garden. "And I have a cousin, Sir," I said, "who has bidden me to his house in Hare Street. I shall be here or there." "His name?" "Thomas Jermyn, Sir." The King nodded. "I will remember that," he said. "Well, it may be a long time before I have anything more to say to His Holiness. 'He that will not when he may--' You know all about that, I suppose, Mr. Mallock?" "I know that Your Majesty has the reunion of Christendom at heart," I said discreetly. "Yes, yes; I understand," said Charles. "I have received very favourable accounts of you, sir. And your letters, which are for the public eye, are perfectly in order. Well; I will remember, Mr. Mallock. Meanwhile you had best not shew yourself at Court in public too much." (And this he said very earnestly.) He put out his hand to be kissed. "And you will give my compliments to my brother James," he said. * * * * * One of the spaniels snored in his sleep as I went out again. CHAPTER III