"It is grievous and strange, however, that you should speak as though my brother were not." He smiled very maliciously at the young Duke, who flushed red.

The King suddenly laughed, and fell to fondling the little dog again.
"Then, Sir," said Monmouth, "Mr Dale may come with me to Dover ?" My heart leapt, for all the talk now was of Dover, of the gaiety that would be there, and the corresponding dulness in London, when the King and the Duke were gone to meet Madame d'Orleans.

I longed to go, and the little hope I had cherished that Darrell's good offices with the Secretary of State would serve me to that end had vanished.

Now I was full of joy, although I watched the King's face anxiously.
For some reason the suggestion seemed to occasion him amusement; yet, although for the most part he laughed openly without respect of matter or person, he now bent over his little dog, as though he sought to hide the smile, and when he looked up again it hung about his lips like the mere ghost of mirth.
"Why not ?" said he.

"To Dover, by all means.