“Impossible, sir, impossible; how can she remain on this boat two or three weeks without being recognized by some one?”
“That’s the question to be settled hereafter; she will have to play the game very cautiously, if she prevents me from finding out who she is. By the by, do you know who that savage-looking fellow is who personates Ingomar?”
“No, but you may be sure the queen knows him; did you notice how affectionately she leans on his arm, and how close she puts her mouth to his ear when she speaks to him?”
“Yes, to be sure I did; but she is now playing the same game on Ivanhoe.”
“Who the deuce is Ivanhoe?”
“I don’t know that either, and without meaning any discourtesy to you, I beg to say that I don’t care a copper to know who he is.”
“I hear that it is the intention of Ingomar and Ivanhoe to imitate the example of the queen by making the trip incog.”
“By all means let them do it; and I suggest that we three do the same, and keep our names concealed from them, and we shall have rare sport. Don’t you know that the ladies will die of curiosity if we conceal our names? Let us form a combination against them, look and talk mysteriously, and my word for it, propositions will be made for a treaty looking to a general disclosure of names and the discarding of masks.”
“Capital idea, my lord, and you may depend upon my hearty co-operation. As soon as the boat leaves the wharf to-morrow let the war begin.”
“Perhaps the captain will object to passengers going in disguise all the time.”