"Will the King interpose for you as he did for the daughter of Lord Clarendon ?" She tossed her head, answering: "Perhaps so much interference will not be needed." "And does my Lord Carford share these plans of yours ?" I asked with a sneer.
The question touched her; she flushed again, but gave way not an inch.
"Lord Carford has done me much honour, as you know," said she, "but he wouldn't stand in my way here." "Indeed he doesn't!" I cried.

"Nor in his Grace's!" "Have you done, sir ?" says she most scornfully.
"I have done, madame," said I, and on she swept.
"Yet you shall come to no harm," I added to myself as I watched her proud free steps carry her away.

She also, it seemed, had her dream; I hoped that no more than hurt pride and a heart for the moment sore would come of it.

Yet if the flatteries of princes pleased, she was to be better pleased soon, and the Duke of Monmouth seem scarcely higher to her than Simon Dale.
Then came Madame in the morning from Dunkirk, escorted by the Vice-Admiral, and met above a mile from the coast by the King in his barge; the Duke of York, Prince Rupert, and my Duke (on whom, I attended) accompanying His Majesty.

Madame seemed scarcely as beautiful as I had heard, although of a very high air and most admirable carriage and address; and my eyes, prone, I must confess, to seek the fairest face, wandered from hers to a lady who stood near, gifted with a delicate and alluring, yet childish, beauty, who gazed on the gay scene with innocent interest and a fresh enjoyment.