"Nay," laughed the king, "'tis not a flaying question, I trust, though it comes pretty near it, to be sure," he added, with a compassionate glance at Alworth's coatless bald-pated figure. "Here, Master Alworth, take this for pity's sake. Exchange is no robbery;" and tearing off his gorgeous robe de chambre, he flung it across the shoulders of Alworth, who, as he proudly drew the garment about him, produced an effect less beautiful than striking, and as much as possible like some Chinese idol with his smooth shining crown adorned by its tight little wisp of hair. "Your Majesty," he said, as Lee put his finishing touches to the king's rapid toilette, "looks charming--perfection!" he went on, clasping his hands. "The very double of myself. No one would ever take you for the--h'm--the sort of person you are." [Sidenote: Ready for the road.] "I look like a better man, I doubt," answered the king, turning to survey himself in a mirror. "And now, Master Lee, what next?" "Stars and Garters," said Lee. "Ods-fish, man!" cried Charles, opening his eyes. "Hadn't we best be leaving those alone? They'd be telling tales." "Stars and Garters is the name of my mare," smiled Lee, "who is to carry your Majesty." "To London?" "Nay, not so far as that, only to the King's Arms by Hoddesdon Rye." [Sidenote: Into the lion's mouth.] "What?" cried Charles, with a little start of surprise. "Into the lion's mouth?" "And the unicorn's. Your Majesty will find no loyaler hearts than beat there, where danger most threatens you." "I could get to London by another road; 'twould be better, even if it were ever such a circuitous one," said the king dubiously. "'Twould be safer to take the road I propose," said Lee, "since it is the one by which I must return home; and I must have further speech with your Majesty." "Is your horse a good one?" "Her better is not to be found in your Majesty's stables. She'll prove worth the cost of her feed. I'll warrant your Majesty will be telling me that, when next we meet." "At the King's Arms?" "To-morrow afternoon; and there are those who will not be far behind your Majesty on the road." And then Lee, kneeling at the king's feet, took his hand, and, kissing it, turned to go. "Wait a bit," said Charles, detaining him; "what--who the mischief am I?" "For the next eighteen hours you cannot be a better person than Master Alworth, called on sudden pressing business affairs to London." "That's all very well," said the king, still rather perplexedly; "but I don't clearly comprehend--" "Then your Majesty must pardon me for saying you are not Master Alworth." [Sidenote: Masquerading.] "Well, well," laughed Charles, "'tis not the first time Charles Stuart has been driven to exercise his wits." "And Stars and Garters," continued Lee, "will serve the King of England at his need every whit as well as ever Royal Oak did. In ten minutes she will be at the street corner."