"Nonsense! That is Nelly Gwynn laughing.

I should know her laugh in the din of battle." "Nelly Gwynn ?" cried Betty, joyously.

There was not in all England a duchess nor a princess half so great in Betty's opinion as Nelly Gwynn.
She was the queen of all London east of Temple Bar, and dearer to the City's heart than any one else at court.
George, too, liked Nelly, and when Betty left him to fetch the pot of tea from the kitchen for the ladies, he determined to go to the private dining room and see the king's sweetest sweetheart, from whom he knew he would hear all the news of court, including perhaps a word about Frances.
Taking his hat from the floor, Hamilton entered the small dining room and hurried toward the princess and the duchess.

Frances sat with her back toward the door, so that she did not see him as he approached, nor did he see her face.

When Nelly saw him she rose hastily, stretched out her hands in welcome, and exclaimed:-- "Well, well, handsome George, as sure as I'm not a bishop's wife! How are you, my long-lost love ?" She stepped forward to meet him, gave him both her hands, stood on tiptoe to be kissed, and when that pleasing operation had been finished, said:-- "Come with me.