Lady Desborough was going on better than any had dared to hope.  Her husband stole in to look at her before his departure, and was rewarded by a sweet and tranquil smile.  He stole towards the bedside and kissed her, telling her he was going to see the King; and she, knowing that his duties called him often to Court, asked no question, and seemed to remember nothing of the fire, but only bade him return anon to her when he could.

Reuben was going also in the boat, and some of the men as rowers.  Gertrude had donned her best cloak and holiday gown, and asked wistfully of her husband: 

“Prithee take me also; I will not be in your way.  But I would fain see something of this great sight of which all men talk, and they say it may best be seen from the river.”

“Come then, sweet heart, so as thou dost not ask to run into peril,” said Reuben; and by noon the party were well on their way, their progress being somewhat slow, as the tide was running out, and there was a considerable press of craft on the river, which was the only safe roadway now from one part of the burned city to the other.

As boats passed each other, items of news were exchanged between the occupants, and every tale added some detail of horror to the last.  Bridewell was in flames now, and many said Newgate also.  Some averred that the prisoners had been left locked up in their cells to perish miserably, others that they had all been released, and that London would be swarming with felons and criminals, who would lead the van in the many acts of plunder which were already being perpetrated.  What might be the truth of all these rumours none could say; but one thing could at least be gathered, which was that the fire was still raging unchecked, and that nothing had as yet been done to stay its progress.

When the boat had reached its destination, Lord Desborough courteously invited Gertrude and her husband to accompany the deputation.  They had not anticipated any such thing; but curiosity overcame every other feeling, and before another half hour had passed they found themselves absolutely within the precincts of Whitehall, passing along corridors where fine-feathered gallants and royal lackeys and pages walked hither and thither, and where their appearance excited some mirthful curiosity, although nobody spoke openly to them.

Lord Desborough was challenged on all hands, but gave only brief replies.  He would tell no word of his mission; and presently he led his companions into a small anteroom, which was quite empty, and charged the servant, who had accompanied them thus far, not to permit any one to enter so long as they were there.  Then he hurried away to seek audience of the King, but promised to join his companions again in as brief a time as possible.

“Belike it will be long enough ere we see him again,” said Harmer, who almost regretted having come when there might be work to do elsewhere.  “The ear of royalty is often besieged in vain, or at least it is a case of hours before an audience can be obtained.  Yon pleasure-loving monarch will care but little if all London burn, so as he has his ladies and his courtiers about him to make merry by day and by night!”