He could never keep it closed.

A secret seemed to disagree with him, physically and mentally; therefore he relieved himself of it as soon as possible by telling any one that would listen.

Knowing this royal weakness, I was not at all surprised to learn, two or three days after our adventure, that it was being talked about by the court.
One evening at the queen's ball, my Lady Castlemain, a very cat of a woman, came up to a group consisting of the king, the duchess, Frances, myself, and three or four others who were standing near the king's chair.
Elbowing her way to the king, near whom Frances was standing, Lady Castlemain said:-- "Ah, la Belle Jennings, tell us of your adventure Sunday night!" "Of what adventure, la Belle Castlemain ?" asked Frances, smiling sweetly.
"Why, when you were kidnapped and carried to a country house for the night," returned Castlemain, with a vindictive gleam in her eyes and an angry toss of her head.
"I kidnapped Sunday night ?" asked Frances, in well-feigned surprise.

"No such romantic adventure has befallen me." "Yes, kidnapped Sunday night," returned Castlemain, showing her teeth.
"Of course you were kidnapped! I'm sure nothing would induce so modest a lady as the fair Jennings to go of her own free will.

She would insist on being taken by force.