Hamilton did not know any of them, though he knew by their uniforms and swords that they were in the king's service.
Soon after the guardsmen were seated, Betty came from the kitchen carrying a pot of hot tea and a bottle of wine for Nelly and Frances.

As she was passing the newcomers, one of them rose, seized her about the waist, and tried to kiss her.

But the girl belonged, flesh and blood, to the class of women with whom kissing goes strictly by favor, so she dashed the hot tea in the fellow's face and went her way with the bottle of wine.

Though the tea was hot, it cooled the fellow's ardor, and he sat down, cursing furiously.

Pickering tried to quiet him, saying:-- "A little less noise, please, gentlemen.