"Aye, all that and more; sick of court and courtiers, sick of idle men and vapid women, sick of myself most of all—"
Then she sprang to her feet and burst out laughing. "What a fool I am, Peg, and what a fool you look standing there, open-mouthed, drinking in my vaporings as though you never had heard me grumble before! Did you think I was in earnest? Why, I was never so happy in my life. Did not the queen kiss me on the cheek, and the duchess swear to give me whatever I might ask of her; even the first choice of the places she has no longer to dispose of and the royal favors that she can no longer influence? Am I not invited to Windsor as lady-in-waiting on probation and lauded to the skies as a heroine by—"
"Sir Geoffrey Beaudesert wishes to know if your ladyship will receive him."
The voice of James at the door produced a silence so profound that after a short pause he repeated his message in a louder tone. "Sir Geoffrey Beaudesert is below, my Lady, and wishes to see your ladyship most particularly."
"You had better see him," said Peggie, in response to Prue's startled and questioning glance.
"I will see Sir Geoffrey," said Prue. "Tell him I will be down immediately."
"Shall I come with you?" asked Peggie.
"Oh, no, no. I can play my little comedy better to an audience of one; besides, you know the truth!" she cried, and ran to the mirror to see if the battery of her charms was in order for the fray.
Sir Geoffrey, his face set in a mechanical smile, met her with a deep bow and pressed a ceremonious kiss upon her extended hand.
"Permit your slave to offer his humble congratulations, my dear Prudence," he said; "I hear that you have distinguished yourself with even more than your usual brilliancy."