14
till she is asleep, and then I will bring your majesty
into the chamber, and you shall go to bed to
her in my stead ; and I doubt not but before the
morning all her anger will be over, and for the
future your admittance will be easy.
The king was pleased with the contrivance of
Alethea ; and, as a token, presented her with a
diamond ring, and told her he would follow her
advice, and be with her incognito the next night.
The next evening the king eamo according to
promise, and Alethea went in to get Rosamond to
bed, as she was wont to do: and in about an hour's
time (which the king's impatience of delay made
him think an age) she came back again to the
king, and told him that if he pleased to follow her,
she would bring him to Rosamond, who was in
her bed and asleep:
The king needed no persuasions to follow her ;
but went immediately to her chamber, and there
soon disrobed himself; and Alethea taking her
leave of him, left him alone with Rosamond. The
king having shut the door, and locked it after Ale-
thea, went into bed to Rosamond, who was fast
asleep, little dreaming of the treacherous part that
Alethea played. Tho king, not willing to awako
his charming mistress, lay still ; but she awaked
of herself. And now tho king thought it a proper
time to speak to her, and let her know who it was
that was her bed-fellow. It is not easy imagine
the surprise of Rosamond at this discovery, and
she fain would have risen, but tho king prevented
her. When the morning appeared, the sun having
awakened Rosamond, she was surprised to find her-
self in the king's arms, which summoned the blood
into her face, and added fresh beauty to her charms.
The king, to keep her spirits, said, "My dear Ro-
samond, as thou hast obliged me, doubt not but I
will be true to thee." And hereupon sealing his
promises with many kisses, he took his leave.
