it," retorted Frances, turning from him angrily and hastening toward the
opposite end of the gallery.

When Frances reached the door of the corridor, she looked back and saw
the Mother of the Maids listening attentively to the gentleman. He was
laughing heartily, and when the Mother left him, Frances noticed that she
courtesied almost to the floor, a ceremony little used save with the
king, the queen, the duke, and the duchess.

When the door of the gallery was closed behind Frances, she asked the
Mother:--

"Who is the impudent fellow?"

"He? Why, he--is--why, he is Sir Rowley," answered the Mother,
hesitatingly, and Frances knew that she had won her first round with the
king, though she kept her knowledge to herself.




CHAPTER IV

A SMILE AT THE DEVIL


In the evening the duchess gave a little ball in her parlor to present
Frances to the king and to the queen, if her Majesty should attend, to
the Duke of York, and to others living in Whitehall immediately connected
with the palace household.