"You came into favor at a bound, and have been growing each day, not only with the king, but with all the court, including the queen, the duchess, and the duke.

Every one loves you and, better still, respects you, which is a distinction few beautiful women enjoy nowadays.

Dick Talbot, the Duke of Tyrconnel, the richest unmarried nobleman in England, is eager to marry you, and would ask you to be his wife if you would but throw him a smile." "I hate him!" she retorted impatiently.

"An overgrown Irish fool.

One would as well marry a bull calf!" "But he is as decent as any man I know, and will meet all your purposes in coming to court in the matter of wealth and station.