"Yes, your Grace," answered Frances.
"And the brantle and the coranto?" asked the duchess.
"Yes, your Grace."
"And do you play cards?"
"Yes, your Grace, but I loathe games."
"Ah, I see you're equipped," said the duchess. "But here comes the Mother of the Maids."
The duchess presented Frances to the Mother, who presently led her forth across the threshold of a new life, destined to be filled with many strange happenings.
After leaving the Duchess of York, Frances and the Mother of the Maids entered the Stone Gallery, half the length of which they would have to traverse before reaching the door that entered the narrow corridor leading to the apartments of the maids of honor. Midway in the gallery, a man, evidently in wine, accosted Frances without so much as removing his hat.
"Ah, ah! Whom have we here?" he asked, winking to the Mother of the
Maids.
Frances was astonished and a little frightened, but she soon brought herself together and retorted:—