claimed Margaret, enthusiastically,
and straightway fell to praising one flower after another with such
rapidity and success that even Lady Jane's ingenuity could find no
opportunity to lead the Governor back to the torture again.

However, I had my revenge, for Lady Jane herself was unpleasantly
startled that same day as we sate at dinner in our room, and the
Governor chose to pay us another visit without warning.

There was a frantic scurry for a few moments as we removed all
traces of my place, and his Excellency must have had a suspicious
train of thought running through his head as he waited for me to
unlock the door. This I did with unmoved countenance, and Lady Jane
made the excuse of being somewhat en deshabille, as the room was
over-warm with the fire, and it passed without further remark,
though I could see he eyed me from time to time as I stood behind
her chair. I waited on them, I flatter myself, quite as perfectly
as the most highly trained servant--for the table is a point to
which I have always devoted much attention, and my knowledge stood
me in good stead now.

Whatever his suspicions were, he did not dare to make them known;
Lady Jane was a person of too recognised a position not to make it
highly inconvenient for any one who might interfere with her without
due justification; and the next day we sailed without hinderance.

Upon our arrival at the Hague, the first letter we received was
one from the Vicomte to Margaret, assuring her of her brother's
safety, and informing her it was commonly reported in London that
Prince Charles had escaped to the continent in the train of Lady
Jane Drummond, so we knew to a certainty the Governor had mistaken
me for the Prince, and informed the Court of his suspicions.

Whether the mistake was flattering to me or not, I cannot fairly
judge. So far as the Prince stood morally or intellectually, he
was beneath my contempt, but physically, my impression is that he
was handsome--at least he had a fine carriage and bearing. It is
most difficult to judge any man in his position; all my training
and education, and that of my ancestors for generations before me,
had been such that I have scarce been able to look on a king save
with a feeling close akin to reverence. So with these reservations
I allow the dubious compliment to pass. But whatever I might think,
there was no doubt but the circumstance had raised me many degrees
in Margaret's estimation. And this also I ow