ing's Street. Each of us was to
carry a long sword and to have a pistol, charged and primed, in his belt.

After leaving the parchments with Frances, I hastened to bring Betty up
to Whitehall, and, shortly after eight o'clock, met Du Boise and De
Grammont at King's Street arch, all of us wearing full vizards.

We walked down to the boat, De Grammont frequently taking notice of
Bettina, for, despite her full vizard and an enveloping cloak, she was
far too attractive not to rivet his attention.

When we reached Westminster stairs, we found the boat awaiting us. We did
not want the watermen to go with us, so I bought the boat and dismissed
them.

We entered the boat, and when Bettina took the stern oar, De Grammont
asked:--

"Who is she--the lady on the stern thwart? Can she steer the boat? Does
she know the river?"

"Yes, to all of your questions, count," I answered.

"'Yes' doesn't answer the first question," he returned.

"It isn't to be answered," I replied curtly, and he returned with an
apologetic "Pardon!"

Just before nine o'clock we took Frances aboard at Whitehall Garden
Stairs and drifted slowly down to the king's privy stairs, from which
the narrow flight of steps rose to the king's closet in the story above.

When we drew up at the privy stairs, Frances stepped out of the boat to
the landing and whispered:--

"I shall arrange in some way to return, just as soon as the king signs
the treaty, but if you hear me scream, come to my rescue. I am prepared
to defend myself, and shall give the signal only when I must."

After climbing the narrow steps, she entered the king's closet and found
him alone. Almost at the same instant she caught the sound of heavy steps
in the adjoining room and heard the clang of steel on a bare oak floor.
This demonstration was made, I suppose, by the king's order, for the
purpose of intimidating Frances lest she prove rebellious.

In response to her frightened look of inquiry, the king said, "Only a
half dozen troopers whom I always keep in my anteroom to be at hand if
needed."

"A wise precaution, your Majesty," returned Frances, bringing herself
together as quickly as possible. "Here are the copies of the treaty, your
Majesty, and here is the bill on Backwell. The Abbe du Boise instructed
me to ask your Majesty to sign his copy of the treaty immediately and
return it to him. He waits in a boat at the foot of the privy stairs, and
is anxious to go down the river to his