Detraction strove to turn her heart
And sour her gentle mind.
But it didn’t succeed, did it, Dorothy?’
‘I hope not, sir,’ returned the lady modestly. ‘Then I may take it as a promise, sir, that you will honour this performance with your presence; it will be on the second of April.’
‘Yes, yes; tell Sherry to keep a box—a box. And now I’m off to the Privy Council. Sorry I can’t take you with me, Dorothy, but you’re not sworn in yet—not sworn in.’
And off he shambled; his walk and talk were very like one another—rapid, irregular, and fitful.
‘There,’ cried Mrs. Jordan triumphantly, ‘I have got what I wanted for you, Master Harry; the play will now have the Royal patronage.’
‘Then that gentleman is——’
‘His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, my husband.’