He was to be with the Queen at Windsor on the morrow at eleven o'clock, and it was improbable that he would tell his mind to any one before he told it to her Majesty.

But there was no doubt that he had engaged "the Duke,"-- so he was called by Lord James,--to go down to Windsor with him, that he might be in readiness if wanted.

"I have learned that at home," said Lord James, who had just heard the news from his sister, who had heard it from the Duchess.

Lord James was delighted with the importance given to him by his father's coming journey.
From this, and from other equally well-known circumstances, it was surmised that Mr.Mildmay would decline the task proposed to him.
This, nevertheless, was only a surmise,--whereas the fact with reference to Sir Everard was fully substantiated.

The gout had flown to his stomach, and he was dead.