"The son of Master Philip here?" "Yes, your Majesty." "A youth of spirit, I should judge," he said, "ay, and well grown too. He pleaseth me well." Now at this my heart was all elate, for let who will say otherwise, it is no light thing for a youth to be noticed by his king. "And thou hast come to bid me welcome, Master Roland?" "Yes, sire," I replied, scarce daring to look him in the face. "Well, rise; thou hast knelt long enough. And what favour dost thou ask?" I lifted my eyes as he spoke, and saw a quizzical look upon his face. Nay, it was more than quizzical. He seemed, as I thought, suspicious of my motives in coming, although I knew not why. I had it on my tongue to tell him how my father had been impoverished by the Puritans, but I only said-- "Nothing, your Majesty." "Nothing? Then is thy request easily granted. Fancy, General Monk: I have put it in the way of this youth to ask me a favour, and yet he hath demanded nothing. Will this be an augury of my reign?" "I trust so, your Majesty," replied Monk, and I thought I saw greed in his eyes. "And yet many, although they ask not favour at your hands, will seek justice," continued Monk boldly. "Ah, how is that? Ay, I remember now. It hath been told me that your life hath been in danger. That a fanatical Puritan woman, a daughter of John Leslie, Constance by name, and wife of Sir Charles Denman, of painful memory, sought your life when you took steps to ensure my coming back to mine own. We must inquire into into this. She must be taken prisoner and put to death." "She hath already been taken prisoner." "Ah, that is well. Well, we will see to it that both she and those who aided and abetted her shall have justice. Where is she imprisoned?" "At present in Bedford, sire." "Ah, that is well. But I will not think of these things now. I must away to Canterbury." He took no further notice of me; nay, for that matter he regarded none of those who gazed eagerly into his face. Instead, still carrying the small dog, which he seemed to prize greatly, he left the canopy, and made his way to a stately coach, which set out, amidst the continued acclamations of the people, towards Canterbury. As for myself, I took but little note of the king's departure, while the feeling of joy which had come into my heart at his kind words passed away. Why, I knew not, but the news that the woman called Constance, the wife of Sir Charles Denman, had been put in prison and was doomed to death, drove all other thoughts from my mind, and there and then I did make up my mind that I would save her from such a terrible end. CHAPTER XIII AN ADVENTURE ON THE CANTERBURY ROAD