But on top of this you have made a greater mistake than you dream of, nephew.
The Princess Hildegarde is as fine a woman as ever your Gretchen.

Mr.
Carmichael will agree to that," maliciously.
Carmichael gave no sign that he understood; but there was no mistaking the prince regent's inference, however.

The recipient of this compliment stubbornly refused to give the prince the satisfaction of seeing how neatly the barb had gone home.
"But, Mr.Carmichael, what is _your_ interest in Gretchen ?" Carmichael trembled with joy.

Here was an opening for a double shot.

"My interest in her is better than yours, for I have not asked her to become a king's mistress." His royal highness bit his lip.
"Uncle!" cried the king, horrified at this revelation.
"Mr.Carmichael evidently has applied his ear to some keyhole." "No, thank you! The window was open.