Of the _coup de theater_ her ladyship had got more than she bargained for. On her bosom Miss Townley wore diamonds that caught the eye even in that Aladdin's treasure house of shining stones, and among the diamonds the portrait of Lady Oxford. Her ladyship saw it, and grew white as marble. Miss Townley saw Lady Oxford, knew the face of the miniature that she had thought was the Queen's, and blushed like the dawn. Her hand flew to her neck as she courtesied deep to Lady Oxford's courtesy; when she rose, by some miracle of female skill, the miniature and the diamonds had vanished. Rising at the same moment, Lady Oxford looked herself again. But the women understood each other now, and, as they purred forth their _politesses_, Wogan knew that the buttons were off the foils. He had his own game to play, that would brook no waiting, and he played it without pause. Lady Mary had moved towards the door. Colonel Montague was gliding back to his old position near Lord Sidney. Wogan followed Colonel Montague and stopped him. 'Sir,' said he, in a low brogue, 'I fancied that I caught a little word of yours that reflected on me counthry and me honour.' 'For your country, sir,' replied the Colonel politely, 'your speech bewrayeth you, but the habitation of your honour is less discernible.' ''Faith, Colonel,' said Wogan, who found his plan answering to his highest expectations, 'you are so ready with your tongue that you might be qualifying for an Irishman. Doubtless you are as ready to take a quiet little walk, in which case I shall be most happy to show you where my honour inhabits. But, to speak the plain truth, it is somewhat too near the point of my sword to make Lady Oxford's drawing-room a convenient place for the exhibition.' Colonel Montague smiled at the pleasantry in an agreeable way which quite went to Wogan's heart. 'With all the goodwill imaginable,' said he, 'I will take that walk with you to-morrow,' and he made a bow and turned away. 'But Colonel,' said Wogan in some disappointment, 'why not to-night?' 'There are certain formalities. For instance, I was not fortunate enough to catch your name.' ''Tis as ancient as any in Ireland,' cried Wogan, in a heat, quite forgetting his incognito. 'My forefathers--' 'Ah, sir, they were kings, no doubt,' interrupted Montague with the gravest politeness. 'No, sir, viceroys only,' answered Wogan with indifference, 'up to Edward I.' 'Your Highness,' said the Colonel, and he bowed to the ground, 'I reckon to-morrow a more suitable time.' Mr. Wogan was tickled out of his ill-humour, and began to warm to the man.