CHAPTER IV.
A SMILE AT THE DEVIL In the evening the duchess gave a little ball in her parlor to present Frances to the king and to the queen, if her Majesty should attend, to the Duke of York, and to others living in Whitehall immediately connected with the palace household.
I went to the ball early, wishing to be there before Frances arrived, to help her if need be over the untrodden paths of court forms and etiquette.

Soon after I entered her Grace's parlor, Mary Hamilton came in with her mother, and I joined them.

I should have been glad to see a gleam of joy in Mary's eyes when I approached, but I had to be content with a calm, gracious "I'm glad to see you, baron." Presently the Duke of York arrived with the duchess on his arm, and they took their places at the end of the room opposite the musicians' gallery.
Mary and I hastened to kiss their hands, and, withdrawing to a little distance, awaited Frances's arrival.

After the others in the room had paid their respects to her Grace, she beckoned me to her chair and said:-- "Your cousin will arrive presently.

I have just seen her.