He showed no curiosity over the encounter, nor scruple in taking me with him. He was in wild spirits, laughing and teasing, and sometimes he reeled in his saddle in a way to endanger my balance. But the rush of air restored me to myself, and I had the wit, for all my excitement, to slip my charm, which I still held, into a pocket. So we raced for the town, and presently drew up at the Castle Tavern, where His Royal Highness and his wife, the late Mrs. Horton, were quartering themselves. The time which followed is confused in my remembrance. I was put in charge of a chambermaid, given a dish of tea and cake, and presently fell fast asleep, to awake smiling and rosy to the summons of my pleasant Clarinda. A lackey in a magnificent scarlet livery awaited me at the door, received me into his arms, and carried me downstairs to a long room blazing with waxlights, where, at a white table spilt all over with a profusion of fruit and crystal, sat a gorgeous company of gentlemen and ladies. Such silks and laces, such feathers and diamonds, I had never in my young day encountered. It was like the most beautiful fair I had ever seen, and the red faces of the company were the coloured bladders bobbing in the stalls. Still, I had not lost my self-possession, when my father reeled round in his chair, and catching me away from the servant, set me on my feet on the table itself. I was a little confused by the tumult which greeted my exaltation. “Diane,” whispered my father in my ear, “go and tell the duke in a pretty speech that I send my love to him.” I flicked up my skirts, and went off immediately among the fruit and decanters. My progress was a triumph. The women clapped in artificial enthusiasm, and the men stopped me to kiss my little shoes. And presently down that long lane I saw the duke’s smiling face awaiting me. It was not a temperate face, it is true; its thirty-four years were traced upon it in very crooked hieroglyphics. But then--_c’est la dernière touche qu’informe_--the royal star of the garter glittering on the apricot coat beneath made everything handsome. By his side sat the lady his duchess, _née_ Luttrell, as brand-new as I to her exaltation. But it was the difference between Hebe and Thais. For all my innocence I felt that, and did not fear her rivalry. I dropped a little curtsey amongst the grapes and melons. “Monsieur,” I said, “my papa wishes to make you a pretty gift, and sends you his love.” He applauded, laughing, as did all the table, and lifted me down to his lap. “What price for the love?” he cried. “See, I return him a dozen kisses.” He kept me, however, plying me with bonbons, while madam tittered and fanned herself vexedly. “You will make the little ape sick, Enrico,” she said. “Put her down; for shame!” “I know where to stop,” I retorted; and “By God, you do!” said the duke, with a great laugh, and held me tight.