“Or if you suffer anyone else to bring you Colonel Wellbred.”

“Depend upon it I have no such intention.”

“But if any other more eloquent man prevails—”

“Be assured there is no danger.”

“Will you, at least, promise I shall be present at the meet—?”

“There will be no meeting.”

“You are certainly, then, afraid of him?”

I denied this, and, hearing the king’s supper called, he took his leave; though not before I very seriously told him that, however amusing all this might be as pure badinage, I Should be very earnestly vexed if he took any steps in the matter without my consent.