He opened the door and ushered in a lady dressed in white; across her face and eyes was thrown a scarf of lace.
“Not here?” questioned the new-comer, glancing eagerly about the room and peeping into every nook and corner without the asking, to the astonishment of the inn-keeper.
“Not here?” she asked herself again, excitedly. “Tell me, tell me, is this Ye Blue Boar Inn?”
“Yes, lady–” replied the landlord, graciously.
“Good, good! Has she been here? Have you seen her?”
“Who, the goddess?” asked the landlord, stupidly.
“The goddess!” retorted Nell, for it was none other, with humorous irony of lip. “How can you so belie the Duchess?” She laughed merrily at the thought.
There was a second knock; and the landlord again hastened to the window.
“’Tis she; ’tis she!” exclaimed Nell, excitedly. “Haste ye, man; I am in waiting! What has she on? How is she dressed?”
“Body o’ me!” exclaimed the landlord, in awe, as he craned his neck at the sash. “’Tis a lady of quality.”