HER LADYSHIP'S SMILE
We landed at the Old Swan stairs below the Bridge on Lower Thames Street, and went to the end of the Bridge, where De Grammont waited till I had taken Bettina home.
When I returned to the Bridge, the count and I took coach, and after a rapid journey across silent London, I arrived at the palace just as Old Tom of Westminster was striking eleven.
I climbed over the porch to my closet and reached there none too soon, for I was hardly in bed when my door opened and in walked the king followed by two men bearing candles. I pretended to be in a deep sleep and when aroused sprang from my bed seemingly half dazed and ready to defend myself, till the king spoke, when, of course, I was humble enough.
"How long have you been here?" demanded the king.
"All night I suppose, your Majesty; what time is it now?"
"Past eleven!" the king answered.
"In what may I serve your Majesty?" I asked.
"By telling me the truth!" he said, glaring at me and whining out his words. "Do you know anything about the attack on my closet this evening?"
Nothing is ever gained by denying, so I took a leaf from woman's logic, and answered his question by another.