“A short and summary process, truly,” replied the king; “but it would occasion great waste of property, and might be attended with other serious consequences.”

“Not half so much property will be destroyed as if the slower and seemingly safer course of pulling down the houses is pursued,” rejoined Leonard.  “That experiment has been tried and failed.”

“I am of the young man’s opinion,” observed the Earl of Craven.

“And I,” added Pepys.  “Better lose half the city than the whole.  As it is, your majesty is not safe in your palace.”

“Why, you do not think it can reach Whitehall?” cried the king, rising, and walking to the window.  “How say you, brother,” he added, to the Duke of York—­“shall we act upon this young man’s suggestion, and order the wholesale demolition of the houses which he recommends?”

“I would not advise your majesty to do so—­at least, not without consideration,” answered the duke.  “This is a terrible fire, no doubt; but the danger may be greatly exaggerated, and if any ill consequences should result from the proposed scheme, the blame will be entirely laid upon your majesty.”

“I care not for that,” replied the king, “provided I feel assured it is for the best.”

“The plan would do incalculably more mischief than the fire itself,” observed Lord Argentine, “and would be met by the most determined opposition on the part of the owners of the habitations condemned to destruction.  Whole streets will have to be blown up, and your majesty will easily comprehend the confusion and damage that will ensue.”

“Lord Argentine has expressed my sentiments exactly,” said the Duke of York.

“There is nothing for it, then, but for your majesty to call for a fiddle, and amuse yourself, like Nero, while your city is burning,” remarked Rochester, sarcastically.

“Another such jest, my lord,” rejoined the king, sternly, “and it shall cost you your liberty.  I will go upon the river instantly, and view the fire myself, and then decide what course shall be adopted.”

“There are rumours that incendiaries are abroad, your majesty,” remarked Argentine, glancing maliciously at Leonard—­“it is not unlikely that he who lighted the fire should know how to extinguish it.”

“His lordship says truly,” rejoined Leonard.  “There are incendiaries abroad, and the chief of them was taken by my hand, and lodged in Newgate, where he lies for examination.”

“Ah!” exclaimed the king, eagerly; “did you catch the miscreant in the fact?”

“No, my liege,” replied Leonard; “but he came to me a few hours before the outbreak of the fire, intimating that he was in possession of a plot against the city—­a design so monstrous, that your majesty would give any reward to the discloser of it.  He proposed to reveal this plot to me on certain terms.”

“And you accepted them?” cried the king.

“No, my liege,” replied Leonard; “I refused them, and would have secured him, but he escaped me at that time.  I afterwards discovered him among the spectators near the fire, and caused his arrest.”