“That’s as it may be, Mrs. —— By the by, what is your name?”
“Mary Davis, by your leave, kind sir; but my intimates call me Moll. Please, what is yours?”
“George Hamilton, Moll.”
“That’s a good name, George. Are you of the King’s Court?”
“I’ve been there.”
“I do so long to see the King—a dear, kind gentleman. They call him in our parts the father of his people. Is he?”
“Well,—of quite a number of them. Why do you want to see the King?”
“Only—O, just to see him!”
George wagged a finger at the artless young baggage.
“O-ho! Mrs. Mollinda,” says he. “Does the wind lie that way? You have begun early, true enough; and you’ll not fail for lack of confidence in your pretty wits. But it’s a long climb from the cradle to the four-poster.” He laughed. “Upon my word—the baby’s assurance! and by way of such obstacles!”