Majesty," she repeated, "would you ruin me?" Her eyes filled with tears.
"Until the Queen welcomed me here I have had nothing but sorrow. I am
friendless and alone."

"No, no," said Charles, kindly, "not alone while Charles is King in
England."

"I am little more than an orphan here," she said, "for my father is now
only a common soldier, your Majesty, and--"

"A common soldier!" repeated Charles a little stiffly; "they told me he
was a gentleman of England doing service in Italy."

"My father is in your Majesty's household guard," she answered. "He was
John Enderby--alas! none would recognise him now as such."

The King stared at her a moment. "You--you--Mistress--you are John
Enderby's daughter?"

Her reply was scarce above a whisper. "His only child, Sir."

"Upon my soul! Upon my soul!" was all Charles said for a moment, and then
he added: "Why did you not speak before?"

"My father would not permit me, your Majesty. He is only returned to
England these few months."

"He is here to--?"

"To be near to myself, Sir."