I named my lodgings in Covent Garden.

“And I have a cousin, Sir,” I said, “who has bidden me to his house in Hare Street.  I shall be here or there.”

“His name?”

“Thomas Jermyn, Sir.”

The King nodded.

“I will remember that,” he said.  “Well, it may be a long time before I have anything more to say to His Holiness.  ’He that will not when he may—­’ You know all about that, I suppose, Mr. Mallock?”

“I know that Your Majesty has the reunion of Christendom at heart,” I said discreetly.

“Yes, yes; I understand,” said Charles.  “I have received very favourable accounts of you, sir.  And your letters, which are for the public eye, are perfectly in order.  Well; I will remember, Mr. Mallock.  Meanwhile you had best not shew yourself at Court in public too much.” (And this he said very earnestly.)

He put out his hand to be kissed.

“And you will give my compliments to my brother James,” he said.

* * * * *

One of the spaniels snored in his sleep as I went out again.

CHAPTER III

My interview with the Duke was a very different matter.  I was informed at his lodgings that he was not yet come from tennis; and upon asking how long he would be, or if I might go to the tennis-court, was told that he might be half an hour yet, and that I might go there if I wished; so I went up from the river again, with a fellow they sent to guide me, down through the Stone Gallery, across the Privy Garden, and so across the street, midway between the gates, and so by the Duke of Monmouth’s lodgings to the tennis-court.  Here, as I went across the street, I caught sight of the sentries changing guard.  These were the Coldstream Guards, in their red coats; for it was these foot-guards who did duty for the most part in the Palace and round about at the gates.  The other troops about His Majesty were, first the King’s Guards proper, who attended him when he rode out:  these were in buff coats and cuirasses, very well mounted, and very gay with ribbons and velvet and gold lace and what not:  and to each troop of these were attached a company of grenadiers with their grenades.  Besides these were the Blues, also cavalry; and the dragoons, who were infantry on horseback, and carried bayonets.  Of the foot-soldiers, such as the Buffs, most were mousquetaires; but some trailed pikes, and every one of them had a sword.  These troops I saw constantly in town; besides the Yeomen who were closely attached to the person of his Sacred Majesty.