continued Buckingham, indifferently,
then asked, with tantalizing calmness: "Is your mission quite complete?"

With difficulty, the Duchess mastered herself. Without replying, she
walked slowly toward the table, in troubled thought. The mask of crime
revealed itself in her beautiful features, as she said, half to herself:

"I have a potion I brought from France."

She was of the Latin race and poison was a heritage.

Buckingham caught the words not meant for him, and realized too well
their sinister meaning. Poison Nell! His eyes swept the room fearfully
and he shuddered. He hastened to Portsmouth's side, and in cold whispers
importuned her:

"For Heaven's mercy, woman, as you love yourself and me--poison is an
unhealthy diet to administer in England."

The Duchess turned upon him impatiently. The black lines faded slowly
from her face; but they still were there, beneath the beauty-lines.

"My servants have watched her house without avail," she sneered. "Your
plan is useless; my plan will work."

"Stay!" pleaded Buckingham, still fearful. "We can ourselves entice some
adventurous spirit up Nell's terrace, then trap him. So our end is
reached."

"Aye," replied the Duchess, in milder mood, realizing that she had been
over-hasty at least in speech, "the minx presumes to love the King, and
so is honest! But of her later. The treaties! He shall sign
to-night--to-night, I say."

With a triumphant air, she pointed to the quills and sand upon a table
in readiness for his signing.

Buckingham smiled approvingly; and in his smile lurked flattery so
adroit that it pleased the Duchess despite herself.

"Lord Hyde, St. Albans and the rest," said he, "are here to aid the
cause."

"Bah!" answered Portsmouth, with a shrug. "In the field, men; at court,
women! This girl has outwitted you all. I must accomplish my mission
alone. Charles must be Louis's pensioner in full; England the slave of
France! My fortune--_Le Grand Roi's_ regard--hang upon it."

Buckingham cautioned her with a startled gesture.

"Nay," smiled Portsmouth, complacently, "I may speak frankly, my lord;
for your head is on the same block still with mine."

"And my heart, Louise," he said, in admiration. "Back to the King! Do
nothing rash. We will banish thy rival, dear hostess."

He did not add, save in thought, that Nell's banishment, if left to him,
would be to his own country estate.

There was almost a touch of affection in the Duchess's voice