"One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four--turn to your lady; one, two, three, four--now deep reverence.

Now you take her hand; no, not her whole hand--the tips of her fingers; now you lead her to her seat; now a deep bow, so.

That will do.

You are improving, but you must be more light, more graceful, more courtly in your air; still you will do.
"Now run away, Mignon, to the garden; you have madam's permission to gather fruit.
"Now, Monsieur Rupert, we will take our lesson in fencing." The above speech was in the French language, and the speaker was a tall, slightly-built man of about fifty years of age.

The scene was a long low room, in a mansion situated some two miles from Derby.
The month was January, 1702, and King William the Third sat upon the throne.