matter that Elliot had no difficulty in according the sympathetic smile
which is the tribute of the jovial and manly sycophant to a superior he
wishes to please.

"And this is then, the escapade for which the _gros bonnets_ down there
have determined that you are not to stir out of this charming retreat
without a guard, or suffer your sacred person to meet the air of the
island without the hedge of an escort. But I have a plan to defeat
them...."

Whatever projects the young men might be disposed to form for the
purpose of eluding the prudent precautions of their seniors were for
the moment cut short by a knocking at the door, which made them start
aside like the disturbed conspirators that they were.

"Quick! vanish," muttered the King sharply; "behind the bureau there. If
the comer be Nicholas let him not see thee here. He bears thee no good
will."

As Elliot hurriedly obeyed, the door slowly opened, giving entrance to
the Rector of S. Owen. The worthy clergyman still wore the gown and
bands in which he had preached in the forenoon, and carried in his hand
the four-cornered but boardless college-cap which formed part of the
clerical costume of those days. Bestowing upon the youthful King a look
whose awestruck humility was at curious variance with the respective
ages and appearance of the two, and making an awkward obeisance, Mr. La
Cloche spoke:--

"I crave your pardon, Sir. Receiving no reply to my knock I presumed to
enter, deeming mine errand an excuse."