procession of black figures leaving the inn sped noiselessly
through darkness. Arriving at the shore, those who were not to
accompany his majesty, knelt and kissed his hand. Then he, with
Lord Wilmot and the captain, climbed on board the vessel and
entered the cabin. The fog had turned to rain. Four hours
later, the tide being favourable, the ship sailed out of port,
and in due time the king was safely landed in France.



CHAPTER III.

Celebration of the Kings return.--Those who flocked to Whitehall
My Lord Cleveland's gentlemen.--Sir Thomas Allen's supper.--
Touching for King's evil.--That none might lose their labour.--
The man with the fungus nose.--The memory of the regicides.--
Cromwell's effigy.--Ghastly scene at Tyburn.--The King's
clemency.--The Coronation procession.--Sights and scenes by the
way.--His Majesty is crowned.

The return of the king and his court was a signal for universal
joy throughout the nation in general and the capital in
particular. For weeks and months subsequent to his majesty's
triumphal entry, the town did not subside from its condition of
excitement and revelry to its customary quietude and sobriety.
Feasts by day were succeeded by entertainments at night; "and
under colour of drinking the king's health," says Bishop Burnet,
"there were great disorder and much riot."

It seemed as if the people could not sufficiently express their