conjure you up the Tower, and a hanging, drawing, and quartering. Who touches the King’s favorite had safer touch the King. It’s lese-majeste, you contemplate.”

He lit his pipe and blew out a great cloud of smoke, then burst into a roar of laughter. “My Lord High Admiral may see you through. Zooks! there’ll be a raree-show worth the penny, behind the church to-morrow, a Percy striving with all his might and main to serve a Villiers! Eureka! There is something new under the sun, despite the Preacher!” He blew out another cloud of smoke. By this the tankard was empty, and his cheeks were red, his eyes moist, and his laughter very ready.

“Where’s the Lady Jocelyn Leigh?” he asked. “May I not have the honor to kiss her hand before I go?”