"Ah, you love horses!" cried the King. "So do I, and the hunt as well. My stables are at your service, and my Master of the Horse will see that they are well bestowed. Once more, sir, the favourite of my brother Francis is welcome here. I look to see you again to-night." CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. DENIS IS SLEEPY. His Majesty of England was in high good humour that night, since the preparations for the grand reception he had ordered in honour of the ambassador-like visitor from France had been carried out quite to his satisfaction. There was show, there was music, and there was dancing going on, as he entered the _salon_ from his private rooms and looked round searchingly before turning to speak to his stately chamberlain. "Our visitor?" he said laconically. "Fatigued, perhaps, with the journey, Sire. He has not yet arrived." The King frowned, and his chamberlain raised his eyebrows a little, half expecting to be taken to task for not having the visitor there. "See that everything is done, Hurst, so that he may go back to my brother of France full of admiration of my Court. We must make him envious," added the King, with a laugh. At that moment there was a flourish of trumpets, and, escorted by two noblemen of the English Court, Francis, followed by his three gentleman attendants, advanced to meet the King. Leoni watched his master narrowly as he followed his progress through the brilliant throng of courtiers towards the spot where Henry stood awaiting his coming, and there was but one thought animating his brain-- the thought of whether Francis with his impetuous nature would not commit some act in this strangest of all episodes--King meeting King, and one ignorant of the other's real identity--which would enlighten Henry and maybe bring disaster on them all. "But Henry has never seen our King," he murmured softly to himself. "Why should there be this presagement of harm? He cannot be recognised here, or if any of these gentlemen who have travelled do imagine a resemblance, they will laugh it on one side." He felt reassured again as he saw Henry advance a step to meet his guest and take his hand with a few words of welcome, ere he pointed to a seat near at hand. "Our brother of France is indeed fortunate," he said, "to be represented by yourself, Comte." And then followed words which Leoni did not hear, for a gentleman approached the group formed by himself, Saint Simon, and Denis, and with a bow said courteously: "May I present you gentlemen to his Majesty?" A minute later Leoni heard Francis say: "Your Majesty will permit me to present to your notice Master Rene Leoni, the most learned of doctors, and at the same time one of the most tyrannical. But to those who understand well the subtle art of medicine, we must forgive all."