'Mrs. Fortescue, however, though she might know herself in the wrong, was not a person to be easily browbeaten. "Very well, Colonel Dare," quoth she with severity; "and, craving your pardon, I must needs say that your courtesy is as scant as you deem our discretion. You would do well, sir, to learn something of chivalry from his Grace of Monmouth. He would not speak to the wife of one of his troopers in such a tone as you have used to us."
'This reproof seemed considerably to abash Colonel Dare; for his face grew very red—indeed I may almost say purple—and he muttered, in a stammering, confused kind of way, something about being a rough, honest soldier—not used to ladies' presence, and never thinking to give offence—only, somewhat hot in his zeal for the great cause; which excuses appeared in some degree to appease Mrs. Fortescue's wrath, and Madame's perplexity and distress. They evidently both wished to be on good terms with this odd, churlish, little Colonel Dare—Madame St. Aubert especially.
'"Come, come, Monsieur," she said, with a graceful little wave of the hand, "you have said quite enough. You have made 'l'amende honorable.' I have no doubt that Mrs. Fortescue is satisfied, and that we all understand one another perfectly. But now let me intreat you to set your mind at rest. I can assure you that these young ladies will not betray us. Is it not so, mes petites? You will give me each your word of honour to say nothing of this news that you have heard, until you have my permission. It can be but two or three days more before it will be known to the whole kingdom."
'"With all my heart, Madame," Bessie cried, springing forward in her impetuous way, her pretty bright face glowing with eagerness and enthusiasm. "There is nothing I would wish for more than to serve the Duke; and I would rather die a thousand deaths than say a word which could harm him!"
'"Ah! bravo! bravo! young mistress," exclaimed Colonel Dare, who had been surveying Bessie with a curious, critical gaze for some moments. "I see you are one of us. We have no fear of you. But this little lady here, what has she to say for herself?" and he glanced doubtfully from me to Madame St. Aubert.
'"I think she may be trusted," Madame said, smiling a little, and holding out her hand to me. "When one is already a wife, one ought to be discreet enough to keep a secret; eh, Frances? Yes, I think we may trust Lady Desmond!"
'These words made me altogether forget my shyness and my fright, and I ran to Madame St. Aubert's side, exclaiming as enthusiastically as Bessie herself: "Oh yes; indeed, Madame, you may trust me; and I would do anything to serve the Duke of Monmouth too, if I could—just as much as Bessie would." They all began to laugh at this speech (except Henrietta)—even the sour-looking Colonel Dare, which rather hurt my feelings, for I was quite in earnest, and really began to feel myself a loyal and devoted follower of the Duke of Monmouth, though, until the last hour, I had scarcely heard more of him than his name.
'"And Henrietta?" asked Madame St. Aubert gently, though at the same time with a shade of uneasiness in her tone—"But I scarce need call for your promise. You are no babbler, as we all surely know."
'Henrietta, however, made no answer. She had stood for the last few minutes with eyes fixed absently on the window, seeming to take no notice whatever of anything that was passing. Her mouth twitched nervously, and she was knitting her brows, as if trying to think out something that both puzzled and worried her a good deal.
'"Well, Henrietta?" demanded Mrs. Fortescue impatiently.