ld that my various
friends, or the prefect of police, or heaven knows who that may have
spread the news of my acquaintance with your brother, would take me out
of that acquaintance!"

"They might hold his friendship a high honor," said Will.

"Oh, an honor! Excellent well comes this distinguished honor. Sirrah,
carriages block my street, filled with those who beseech my introduction
to John Law. I am waylaid if I step abroad, by women--persons of
quality, ladies of the realm, God knoweth what--and they beg of me the
favor of an introduction to John Law! There seems spread, I know not
how, a silly rumor of the child Kate. And though I did scarce more than
name a convent for her attendance, there are now out all manner of
reports of Monsieur John Law's child, and--what do I say--'tis
monstrous! I protest that I have come closer than I care into the public
thoughts with this prodigy, this John Law, whose favor is sought by
every one. Honor!--'tis not less than outrage!"

"'Tis but argument that my brother is a person not without note."

"But granted. 'We have seen his carriage at your curb,' they say. I
insist that it is a mistake. 'But we saw him come from your door at such
and such an hour.' If he came, 'twas but for meeting such answer as I
have always given him. Will they never believe--will your brother
himself never believe that, though did he have, as he himself says, all
France in the hollow of his hand, he could be nothing to me? Now I will
make an end to this. I will leave Paris."

"Madam, you might not be allowed to go."

"What! I not allowed to go! And what would hinder a Knollys of Banbury
from going when the hour shall arrive?"

"The regent."

"And why the regent?"

"Because of my brother."

"Your brother!"

"Assuredly. My brother is to-day king of Paris. If he liked he could
keep you prisoner in Paris. My brother does as he chooses. He could
abolish Parliament to-morrow if he chose. My brother can do all
things--except to win from you, Lady Catharine, one word of kindness, of
respect. Now, then, he has come to the end. He told me to come to you
and bear his word. He told me to say to you that this is the last time
he will importune, the last time that he will implore. Oh, Lady
Catharine! Once before I carried to you a message from John Law--from
John Law, not in distress then more than he is now, even in this hour of
his success."

Lady Catharine paled as she sank back into her seat. Her whit