"She is the most beautiful ornament of our court, and we must not lose her.

I don't mind telling you for your own ear that I suspect the cause of her sudden resolution and respect it." He laughed, and after a long pause, continued:-- "I forgot that she was fresh from the country, and that she still retained part of her prudish ideas, so while walking with her yesterday on the Serpentine, I offered her a pension, to which she is justly entitled, adorning our court as she does.

But I fear she took my honest efforts at gallantry too seriously.

My dear baron, the girl shall have her pension without the slightest return on her part save one of her rare smiles now and then.

Say to her, please, that the king sends his apology and eagerly awaits an opportunity to offer it in person." "I thank your Majesty," I answered, rising and bowing, "and feel sure you have done all that is needful to keep my cousin at court.