Sir George could no longer restrain himself, and again tried to prevent Dorothy from proceeding with her terrible insult to the Stanleys. The queen, however, was determined to see the end of the frolic, and she said:—
"Proceed, Mistress Vernon, proceed."
Dorothy, nothing loath, continued: "As for my disposition, it might be better. It probably will improve with age, if it doesn't grow worse. I have all the gaits a horse should have. I am four years old, I have never been trained to work double, and I think I never shall be. What think you? Now what have you to offer in exchange? Step out and let me see you move."
She took the poor youth by the hand and led him to the middle of the floor.
"How old are you? Show me your teeth," she said. The heir to Derby smiled uneasily, and drew his hand across his nose.
"Ah, you have a touch of the distemper, I see. Are you subject to it?"
Stanley smiled, and the earl said:—
"Sir George, this insult has gone far enough."
"Stand back, my Lord Derby," said the queen. "Do not interfere with this interesting barter."
The earl reluctantly lapsed into silence. He remembered the insult of her Majesty's words all his life.