"With all my heart, Sir," he said. "Which priest shall I ask for? Is there one that can speak English?"
The Duke struck his forehead with his open hand.
"Lord!" he said. "I never thought of that. We must have an Englishman.
Where shall we send?"
"Sir," said the Ambassador; "there is one at least at the Venetian
Resident's."
Again I broke in. (My impatience drove me near mad. Time was passing quickly. I could have fetched a priest myself ten times over if the Duke had but allowed me to go in the beginning.)
"Sir," said I, "for God's sake let me go first to Her Majesty's apartments. I'll be bound there's one at least there that knows English. Let this gentleman come with me."
The Duke stared at me as if bewildered. I think he saw that he had done little but hinder the business, so far.
"Go," he said suddenly. "Go both of you together—Stay. Bring a priest with you, if you can find one, to the little room behind the King's bed; but bring him up the stairs the other way. Bid him stay till I send Chiffinch to him."
Then we were gone at full speed.