The King, however, purposed riding across the forest by a shorter cut, and through much beautiful woodland scenery. Harry held the King's horse, while Colonel Everard assisted him to mount. "Ah!" said his Majesty, shaking the Colonel by the hand, "I am a happy King to be able thus to ride through a forest with only three or four unarmed attendants. Is there another sovereign in Europe that could do the same? I wot not, Colonel." "Perhaps this young gentleman would like to accompany us," said one of the gentlemen-in-waiting, turning to the Colonel. "I know my way across the forest, but he probably is better acquainted with the paths on this side of it, and may somewhat shorten our ride. I am anxious to get the King home again lest his Majesty should have suffered by remaining so long in his damp clothes." Harry was soon on horseback and galloping along to overtake the royal party. Every path and glade in that part of the forest was well known to him, and he was thus able to conduct the King, not only by shorter paths, but to show him some especial bits of woodland scenery. The King was much pleased, and complimented Harry on his taste. Whole troops of deer were seen coming in from all directions towards a keeper's lodge, where they were accustomed to assemble every evening to be fed. "A pity to shoot such beautiful creatures," said the King; "this forest should be their own. If I had to frame new forest laws I should certainly let the deer benefit by them. What say you, young gentleman?" Harry had to confess he had no objection to ride after a stag with a pack of hounds, nor indeed to exercise his skill as a marksman on a fat buck. The King laughed. "We must not be too much guided by our feelings," he observed. The King conversed constantly with Harry during the ride, and told him that he hoped to see him again. The young man bowed low as they reached Lyndhurst, and it is not surprising that his spirits should have been somewhat elated at the honour which had been done him. He turned his horse, and galloped quickly over the soft turf back again towards Stanmore, eager to report the safe arrival of the King, and, it is possible, to enjoy another dance with Mabel. She was not less well pleased than he was with the honour the King had done him, and it is not surprising that the young people should have thereon built up a somewhat lofty castle in the air, vapoury and changeable, as such castles invariably are. Lady Tryon was still more pleased. Her grandson had achieved a success. She saw him in imagination basking in the smiles of royalty, and obtaining the advantages which such smiles occasionally bring. Not always, though, as they are apt to raise up "envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness," in the hearts of rivals.