"And now tell me all about it, my dear," the Queen was saying to Lady Ingram. "Sophia gave you my message about the Bishop?" "Yes, Madam; and I am quite delighted to think of it. Your Majesty is aware that the Tories are in greater power than ever?" "Dean Atterbury said so in his last note," replied the Queen, opening her desk, and apparently searching for the letter. "He has written often lately, and very kindly." Celia listened in much surprise, to hear that an unsuspected Protestant dignitary was in constant and familiar correspondence with the Court of St. Germains.[27] "Your Majesty has not heard from the Duke?" "From Blenheim? no, not since I saw you: but the Duchess of Tyrconnel[28] was here not long ago, and she tells me that there seems no hope of the Duke's return to power."[29] Celia's astonishment grew. "Does your Majesty fear that the Princess"--suggested Lady Ingram. "No, my dear, no," replied the Queen, rather sadly; "I do not think she can have discovered. She is not naturally suspicious, and you know that the Duchess has been her dearest friend for many years." "I scarcely think much of that," answered Lady Ingram. "Beside, as your Majesty knows, this woman Abigail, who has crept up to power on the wreck of hers, and who is a better friend of ours than ever she was, has all the influence now over the Princess Anne; and she would doubtless willingly let her know if she discovered it, simply to spite the Duchess, and prevent her return to power. Of course the supplanter would not like to be supplanted." "I know it, my dear Lady Ingram, I know it," responded the Queen, with a sadder air than ever. "Also your Majesty will remember"----But here Lady Ingram bent forward and spoke low, so that Celia could hear no more. She had heard quite enough already to make her doubtful of the truth and honesty of everybody in the room but Philip. "Is this your first visit to France?" Celia looked up suddenly to find herself addressed by the King. "Yes, Sir," she said, hesitating very much, coloring, and doubting whether, in saying "your Majesty," she would have been doing right or wrong. "Yes, this is my first visit." "Do you like it?" "Not so well as England." "Spoken like a true Englishwoman!" said the King, with his rare smile. "Neither do I." Remembering that he had been carried away as an infant in arms, Celia wondered what he knew about it. "I hope you are one of my friends?" was the next question. Celia looked up, blushed, and looked down again. "I do not know, Sir," she said. "I compliment you on your honesty," said he. "'Tis a rare quality." Celia was beginning to think it was. "I beg your pardon, Sir," she replied, timidly; "I was brought up to think otherwise."