"You are Garrick's last pupil, I believe," she said, "and perhaps his best. He would have been happy indeed to have heard you this evening." "Eh? what? Garrick?" gasped his Majesty. "Oh, certainly, certainly! She plays remarkably well. I'm a judge myself: I too have played in comedy--comedy and tragedy. I used to do Addison's 'Cato,' and not half badly, they said. But of course one always says that to a prince. Have you seen 'Cato,' Miss Woodville?" "Never, sire." "Ah, but it is a fine play! And the tirade, the famous tirade, you know!" And he began to declaim, floundering for words. Again her Majesty interrupted him, although with every demonstration of respect. "Does not your Majesty find that Miss Woodville speaks her Shakespeare marvellously well?" "Eh? what? Shakespeare? Of course!--You love Shakespeare, do you not?" "Oh, yes, sire, with all my heart!" "That's right; so do I. Nevertheless he has his stupid absurdities. Sad rubbish, some of it. Persons generally would not venture to admit that they thought so, but I say it because I say whatever comes into my mind. I don't care particularly for the French, but I am forced to acknowledge that their plays are the noblest, most decorous and normal extant. We also have good authors, such as Coleman, for instance, or Mr. Home, who wrote 'Douglass.' The whole action of the play passes in twenty-four hours and in one and the same place. Certain scenes take place in the castle, others before the castle, and still others behind the castle; but, in a word, the castle is always there to preserve the unity. That makes you laugh, young woman!" In fact, the king himself laughed too. "All the same," he concluded in a paternal tone, "you play like an angel!" "_Au revoir_, Miss Woodville," said the queen; "I take it your Majesty wishes to be going." The audience was at an end, and after a second courtesy Esther backed herself out of the presence. Upon the threshold her glance met that of Lord Mowbray, and she thought that upon his arm she might penetrate this grand world, not as she had just done, for a few moments, but forever,--forever to hold her place and rank in the charmed circle! CHAPTER X. DEATH TO THE PAPISTS.