Charles gazed on her for a moment—so spiritual, so touching was the expression of her perfect features. He took her hand kindly and said, "Mr. Evelyn is happy, very happy. I know not what are his views in coming to England at this moment. You, fair lady, shall be the guarantee of his peaceable intentions. Since I find that his exile includes yours, and as I cannot in conscience allow a face so fair to go out of England, bring Mr. Evelyn to my presence, equally penitent and loyal, and you remember the old proverb—
'A king's face
Should show grace.'"
Francesca sunk on her knee, and pressed her lips to the hand which still held her own.
The good-natured monarch raised her, saying, "I will detain you no longer. However, it is all right that the gentleman should be the one to wait." So saying, he turned towards the Castle; and Francesca, taking the opposite path, was soon out of sight.
"I believe, after all," said Charles within himself, "that love is a more serious matter than we allow it to be at Whitehall. I did not expect to be so much interested as I have been. Poor child! she is too pretty to go into exile. But I can more
