AS A CAVALIER MISTRESS NELL DECEIVES EVEN THE KING.
“But you are at court now,” laughed the Duchess, patronizingly. “Masking is the first sin at court.”
“Then I’ll begin with the first sin,” said Nell, slyly, raising the Duchess’s fingers to her lips, “and run the gamut.”
They passed together into the great ball-room, Nell exercising all her arts of fascination–and they were many. The music ceased as they entered. The dancers, and more especially the ladies, eyed curiously the jaunty figure of the new-comer. There were merry whisperings among them.
“Who can he be?” asked one, eagerly. “What a pretty fellow!” exclaimed a second, in admiration. “I’ve been eying him,” said a third, complacently.
The men too caught the infection.
“Who can he be?” inquired Rochester.
“Marry, I’ll find out,” said Lady Hamilton, with an air of confidence, having recovered by this time from the kisses which had been thrust upon her and being now ready for a new flirtation.