“Oh, she’s the Duchess of something. I forget her name,” answered the Doctor-in-Law nonchalantly. “She called the other day while you were out, and explained that she was a contributor to one of the latest society magazines, and was anxious to send an illustrated interview with the Wallypug, to her paper; so—a-hem!—after we had come to terms, I arranged for her to come to-day and see him. You had better go and make yourself tidy, hadn’t you?” he continued, turning to the Wallypug.
“Well, really,” I interposed, “I think you might have consulted his Majesty first, before making these arrangements.”
“Oh! do you?” said the Doctor-in-Law rudely. “Well, I don’t see that it’s any business of yours, my good sir—so there!” and he bounced out of the room again, rattling his sample tins.
It was nearly eleven then, and a few minutes afterwards a beautifully-appointed carriage drew up to the door, and Mrs. Putchy brought up a card inscribed:
and immediately ushered in a fashionably-dressed lady, who smilingly offered me the tips of her fingers.
“Oh, how do you do? You are the gentleman, I think, who is to introduce me to his Majesty, are you not?”
“Well, really, your Grace, we have only just heard of the appointment, but his Majesty the Wallypug will be very pleased to receive you I am sure.”
“And is that his Majesty at the other end of the room?” whispered the Duchess. “Pray present me.”
I made the necessary introduction, and the Duchess gave the regulation Court ‘dip,’ which the Wallypug gravely imitated, and then in his usual simple manner offered his hand with a smile.