The visit of her son-in-law, the King of Denmark, so far from comforting her, only increased her anxiety. The more she saw of him the more she disliked him. He was restive under her covert reproaches, and at last entirely lost her good graces by his impertinence. The Princess was telling fortunes by cards one evening with one of her ladies, to whom Christian had given a diamond star. The King said to her: "_Chère maman_, which King am I in your pasteboard court?" "Lady----," said the Princess-Dowager archly, "calls you the King of Diamonds." "What do you call Holck?" asked Christian. "Oh, by a more flattering title--the King of Hearts." This nettled the King, who retorted: "And pray, _chère maman_, what do you call Lord Bute--the Knave of Hearts?" This repartee greatly discomposed the Princess-Dowager. She flushed crimson, and gathered up the cards without a word. Though Christian was so unwelcome at court, he was exceedingly well received by all classes of the nation, who made him the hero of the hour. The fact that the King disliked him rather increased his popularity than otherwise. The King and Queen, in consequence of the seclusion in which they lived, had little or no influence on society. George III. preferred a quiet domestic life with his wife and children, routs, balls and assemblies had no attractions for him. Therefore London society, which loves the presence of royalty, hailed the King of Denmark with delight. All the fine ladies were in love with him, all the fine gentlemen sought the honour of his acquaintance, imitated his dress and deportment, and even copied his eccentricities. The rumour of his vices lent an additional piquancy. He was nicknamed "the Northern Scamp," and the ladies invented a headdress in his honour, which was known as the "Danish fly". "The King of Denmark," writes Whately to George Grenville, "is the only topic of conversation. Wilkes himself is forgotten, even by the populace."[95] The people cheered him wherever he went, and the nobility vied with one another in giving him splendid entertainments. First to have the honour of entertaining "the royal Dane" was Lady Hertford, who gave a brilliant assembly at Hertford House. Horace Walpole, who was present, writes:--