too gallant to kill the sex. I'll do the very manly
act and simply break her heart. Aye, that is true bravery in breeches."

Her manner changed.

"Your grace!" she said suavely.

"Yes," answered Portsmouth, her eyes still gleaming triumphantly.

"It seems you are partial of your favours?"

"Yes."

"Such a gift from lips less fair," continued Nell, all in wooing vein,
"would make a beggar royal."

The hostess was touched with the phrasing of the compliment. She smiled.

"You would be pleased to think me fair?" she coyly asked, with the air
of one convinced that it could not well be otherwise.

"Fairer than yon false gallant thinks you," cried Nell, with an angry
toss of the head in the direction of the departed King. "Charles's kiss
upon her lips?" she thought. "'Tis mine, and I will have it."

In the twinkling of an eye, she threw both arms wildly about the neck of
the astonished hostess and kissed her forcefully upon the lips. Then,
with a ringing laugh, tinged with triumph, she stepped back, assuming a
defiant air.

The Duchess paled with anger. She rose quickly and, turning on the
pretty youth, exclaimed: "Sir, what do you mean?"

"Tilly-vally!" replied the naughty Nell, in her most winning way. "A
frown upon that alabaster brow, a pout upon those rosy lips; and all for
nothing!"

"_Parbleu!_" exclaimed the indignant Duchess. "Your impudence is
outrageous, sir! We will dispense with your company. Good night!"

"Ods-pitikins!" swaggered Nell, feigning umbrage. "Angry because I
kissed you! You have no right, madame, to be angry."

"No right?" asked Portsmouth, her feelings tempered by surprise.

"No right," repeated Nell, firmly. "It is I who should be outraged at
your anger."

"Explain, sir," said the Duchess, haughtily.

Nell stepped toward the lady, and, assuming her most tender tone, with
wistful, loving eyes, declared:

"Because your grace can have no appreciation of what my temptation was
to kiss you."

The Duchess's countenance glowed with delight, despite herself.

"I'faith, was there a temptation?" she asked, quite mollified.

"An overwhelming passion," cried Nell, following up her advantage.

"And you were disappointed, sir?" asked Portsmouth suggestively, her
vanity falling captive to the sweet cajolery.

"I only got yon courtier's kiss," saucily pouted Nell, "so lately
bestowed on you."

"Do you know whose kiss that was?" inquired the Duchess.

"It seemed familiar," answered