Ovingdean Grange by W. Harrison Ainsworth

Eight princes in one day did gratulate;

Professing all to him in debt to be,

As all the world are to his memory.

Bonfellow Smith had gone the way of all flesh before that most festive time, when—to the infinite satisfaction of all landlords—universal England drunk did get—

For joy that Charles, her monarch, was restored.

But his still buxom widow at once took down the old sign of the George, and set up in its place King Charles the Second’s Head.

If Clavering’s services were not more fully requited, it was his own fault rather than that of his sovereign. Charles endeavoured to persuade him to quit his seclusion and come to court, offering him knighthood. But he was too happy at Ovingdean Grange to leave it, and respectfully declined the honour. By this time he had become, what he continued to remain to the last,

A fishing, hawking, hunting, Country Gentleman.

THE END