“What child is that?”
“May it please your Highness, I do not know.”
“Where did you get it?”
“Out of that basket, your Highness.”
“Who gave you the basket?”
“May it please your Highness, I do not know.”
“You are trifling with me. Let him be searched.”
“May it please your Highness, I will save them that trouble, if one of the ladies will take the infant. I have received a great many presents this evening, all of which I will have the honour of displaying before your Highness.”
One of the ladies held out her arms to the infant, who immediately bent from mine toward her, naturally clinging to the other sex as its friend in distress.
“In the first place, your Highness, I have this evening received this ring,” taking off my finger the one given by the party in a violet-coloured domino, and presenting it to him.