I was making my suit until near the hour of eleven, when Mistress Jennings, who was ill, told me it was time to go home.

If she was kidnapped Sunday night, it was before five o'clock or after eleven." I flattered myself that we had all done a neat bit of convincing lying in a good cause.
"Odds fish!" mumbled the king, pulling his chin beard, evidently puzzled.
"Odds fish!" exclaimed Frances, mimicking the king's tone of voice and twisting an imaginary beard.

"Some one has been hoaxing Jacob Hall's friend." It was a bold speech, but Frances carried it off splendidly by turning to the king and speaking in mock seriousness:-- "Your Majesty should put a check on Rochester and the wags.

It is a shame to permit them to work upon the credulity of one who is growing weak in mind by reason of age." The country girl had vanquished the terror of the court, and all who had witnessed the battle rejoiced; that is, all save the king and Castlemain.
She glared at Frances, and her face, usually beautiful despite the lack of youth, became hideous with rage.

She was making ready for another attack of words, if not of finger nails, when the duchess interposed, saying:-- "Evidently some one has been hoaxing you, Lady Castlemain.