"Well," said he, "I could spend all night in this chamber with such music; but I must not keep Mistress Dorothy from her sleep another moment."
He kissed her fingers with the greatest grace, and then bowed by the door as she went out.
* * * * *
When we had taken them to the great guest-room that was as large, very nearly, as the Great Chamber, and over it, and bidden them good-night, my Cousin Tom remembered that we had forgotten to ask Mr. Morton at what time he must ride in the morning; so I went back again to ask.
I stayed at the door for one instant after knocking, for it seemed they had not heard me; and in that little interval I heard the Duke's voice within, very distinct.
"A damned pretty wench," he cried. "We must—"
And at that I opened the door and went in, my jealousy suddenly flaming up again, so that I lost my wits.
They stared at me in astonishment. The Duke already was stripped to his shirt by one of the beds.
"I beg your pardon, Sir," I said. "But at what hour will Your Grace have the horses?"
Mr. Atkins wheeled round full upon me; and the Duke's mouth opened a little. Then the Duke burst into a fit of laughter.