The king turned to Frances, saying: "They are applauding your dancing.
Take your bow."
"No, it's all for your Majesty," she returned.
"No, no, my dancing is an old story to them. It is your grace they are applauding."
"Spare me, your Majesty," she pleaded, laughing.
As the applause continued, they stopped dancing for a moment, and Frances made her courtesy to the audience. Thereupon the applause increased, and she courtesied again, kissing her hand as she rose from the floor.
The girl was in high spirits, and laughed as she talked to the king, who smiled on her in a manner that caused my Lady Castlemain to remark:—
"The young milkmaid's affectations are disgusting." Other equally flattering remarks were to be heard from women of the Castlemain stamp, but the men were a unit in praising the new beauty.
Of course the king soon declared his undying love for her, and she answered, laughing:—
"If your Majesty will swear by your grandmother's great toe that you have never before spoken to a woman in this fashion, I'll listen and believe, but failing the oath, you must pardon me if I laugh."
"I hope you would not laugh at your king?" he asked.