“About to be done, forsooth! that is ever the way.  Zounds!  I would like to pitch yon cowardly Mayor and his whole corporation into the heart of the flames!  And if something be not done to save what remains of the city, I will make good my word!”

Then, with a complete change of manner, he rose and came forward to the corner where Gertrude stood shrinking and quivering, half frightened by this strange man, yet impressed by some indescribably kingly quality in him that fascinated her imagination in spite of all she had heard of him.

“Fair mistress,” he said gallantly, “hast thou nothing to ask?  These good citizens have all had their word to say.  Am I not to hear the music of thy voice also?”

Gertrude, startled and abashed, dropped her eyes, and knew not what to say; but something in the King’s glance compelled an answer of some kind, and a sudden inspiration flashed upon her.

“Sire,” she said, in a sweet tremulous voice, her colour coming and going in her cheek in a most becoming fashion, “may I ask a boon of your gracious Majesty?”

“A hundred if thou wilt, fair mistress; there is nothing so sweet to me as obeying the behests of beauty.”

She shrank a little from his glance, and her grasp tightened upon her husband’s arm; but she took courage, and went on bravely: 

“I have but one boon to crave, gracious Sire.  For myself I have all that heart of woman could crave; but there is still one small trouble in my life.  My dear father, who stands before you now, was well-nigh ruined a year ago in that fearful visitation of the plague.  By trade he is a builder, and right well does he know his business.  After this terrible fire there must needs be much building to do ere the city can be dwelt in.  May it please your gracious Majesty to grant to him a portion of the work, that he may retrieve his lost fortune, and regain the place which he once held amongst his fellow citizens!”

“It shall be done, mistress, it shall be done!” answered the King, with a smile at the girl and a friendly look towards the Master Builder.  “Marry, it is a good thought too; for we shall want honest and skilful men to rebuild us our city.

“Thy prayer is heard and granted, fair lady.  I will not forget thy petition.  I will see to it myself.  Farewell, sweet heart! think always kindly of your King,” and he saluted her upon the cheek, after the fashion of the day.

Then turning briskly to the men he said, in a very different tone, “Now to our respective tasks, good sirs.  We have our work cut out before us this day.  Let it not be our fault if, ere the night fall upon us, the spreading flames, which are devastating this city, are stopped, and further destruction arrested.”

With a friendly nod, and with a smile to Gertrude, the King went as suddenly as he came.  Lord Desborough lingered only a few moments to say, in hurried tones: 

“Thank Heaven his Majesty is roused at last!  Now, indeed, something will be accomplished.  I must remain with him.  I shall have my work, doubtless, somewhere, as you have yours in the east.  Fare you well.  We shall meet again at nightfall; and pray Heaven the fire may by that time be stayed in its ravages!”