Part 31 (1/2)

”Marvellous!” said I ”It's as good as new”

Her ladyshi+p screeched with laughter ”Oh, you courtier!” she said ”I never saw anything better done at the Tuileries Look a foot higher, you rogue!”

Still even there the job was neatly and thoroughly done, and I thanked Margaret for it heartily With htened up, and indeed I had need to, for most of their talk was in and about a world of which I knew nothing Thanks to Margaret's hints and half-lights, I did well enough

There caentle rap at the door and then, without further cereht at the door there was no seeing who the new-coht revealed him It was Prince Charles

”Stir not, ladies, on your allegiance!” he said gaily I rose, bowed him into reat uncle used to say, I've come to save your life, Master Wheatman!”

”You need not trouble, sir,” said I, ”to save what is freely yours to throay”

”Very well said, sir,” he answered, ”and I shall not forget it”

”Good lad, Oliver!” said the Colonel, dipping for his snuff-box

”Still, Imerrily ”My Court consists of precisely seven ladies and an unlientlemen, the latter, for the most part, fiery chiefs who slash off men's heads as if they were tops of thistles Yet here are you, sir, keeping two of theilvie, whose charms are without blemish--”

”Nay, sir,” said I

”May I pull his ears, Your Highness?” asked her ladyshi+p tartly

”You may,” said Charles, ”unless he proves his point A Prince aret

”Of course,” retorted Lady Ogilvie ”He'll be right if he says I've an eye like an ox and a ”

”Save your ears, Master Wheat at me ”What's the blemish?”

”Davie!” said I

The Prince rocked with laughter, and her ladyshi+p enjoyed it quite as fully

”It's the smartest hit I've heard since I left Paris,” said the Prince

”Sir,” said I, ”be good enough to explain Who is Davie?”

”Her ladyshi+p's husband,” he replied

”Daht he was only an ordinary Scotchhtful interlude in a heavy day's work,” said the Prince ”I areeable a cavalier, but I need Master Wheatman myself”