She knew in her heart that the young queen would certainly grow fond of John.

That was a foregone conclusion.

No woman could be with him and escape that fate, thought Dorothy.

Her hope as to the other half-John's part-rested solely upon her faith in John, which was really great, and her confidence in her own charms and in her own power to hold him, which in truth, and with good reason, was not small, Dorothy went to bed, and Jennie, following her usual custom, when at Haddon, lay upon the floor in the same room.

John's letter, with all its tenderness, had thrown Dorothy into an inquisitive frame of mind.