No, she only looked at the man who loved her and was ready to offer her everything, and said: “Dick, I have a boy in a cradle upstairs.” There was another long pause before Dick whispered the words: “God bless thee, Nell,” Then the door was flung wide in his face by a lacquey, who bowed to the ground as he ushered in a rather plainfaced man wearing a diamond star and a broad blue sash, as well as a diamond garter. Nell sank in a courtesy, and Sir Charles Sedley made an obeisance. Dick remained unmoved. “Ha! what have we here?” said the stranger. “'Odsfish! a pretty family picture! Who may you be, good sir?” he asked of Dick. “Who may _you_ be?” asked Dick. “Well, who I may be in a year or two, the Lord and Nelly only knows--she says a merry pauper. But who I am is easier said; I happen just now to be the King.” Dick stood unmoved. “Then I could tell you _what_ you are, sir,' said Dick. “Not half as well as I could tell you, my friend,” said the King. “I wonder if your Majesty ever hears the truth?” said Dick. “Seldom; any time I do, it comes from the lips of Nelly, yonder,” replied the King. “And by my soul, sir, I would rather hear the truth from Nelly, than a lie from the most honourable of my subjects.” “Profligate!” cried Dick. “I answer to that name, sir; what then?” said the King. “What then? God only can reply to your 'what then?' The answer rests with Him. He will not forget to answer you when His time comes.” “Even so,” said the King, in a low tone, bending his head. Sir Charles had moved round the settee, and had opened the door. He touched Dick on the elbow. Dick started for a moment and then stalked through the door. Sir Charles went out with his face turned towards the King. “A straightforward fellow, but as conceited as a Puritan, Nell,” cried the King, with a laugh. “What brought him here?” But Nell had sunk once more on her knees beside the settee, and her face was, as before, buried in the cushion. “Ha, what's this, Nelly? What's amiss?” said the King, bending over her. “Oh, go away--go away! I never want to see you again. You heard the word, profligate, profligate!” “I'll go away, Nell, so soon as I pass to you the two papers which I hold in my hand.” “I want no papers; I want to be alone.” “Come, dear child; see if you will like your new plaything.” He pushed before her one of the two papers which he held. She glanced at it without rising, and without taking it from him. Suddenly she put out a hand to it. “What?” she cried. She was now on her feet. “You have done it for me--all for me? The hospital to be built at Chelsea! Oh, my liege!” “Now the other paper,” said the King. She took it from him. “Ah, Royal Letters Patent--our boy--our Charlie--Duke of St. Albans! Oh, my liege--my King--my love forever!” She sank on her knees, and, catching his hand, covered it with kisses--with kisses and tears. KITTY CLIVE, ACTRESS