"And who recommended him to you? Why, she did: in the days when you did not warn people against her." And madam chuckled wickedly.
"It is possible," he answered, "but the matter is twelve years old, and more; and I do not want to----"
"Go back to it," madam cried sharply. "I can quite understand that. Nor to have Monterey about to remind you of it--and of your wild oats."
"Perhaps, Mr. Square-Toes? You know it is the case!" was the vivid answer. "For otherwise, as I like the woman, and now, at all events, she is married--what is against her?"
"I do not trust her," was the measured answer. "And, madam, in these days people are more strait-laced than they were; it is not fitting."
"That for people!" my lady cried with a reckless good humour that would have been striking in one half her age. "People! Odds my life, when did I care for people? But come, I will make a bargain with you. Tit for tat. A Roland for your Oliver! If you will give me your Anne I will give you my Monterey."
"My Anne?" he exclaimed, in a tone of complete bewilderment.
"Yes, your Anne! Come, my Monterey for your Anne!"
There was silence for a moment, and then "I do not at all understand you," he said.
"Don't you? I think you do," she answered lightly. "Look you,
'When William king is William king no more.'
"I understand, my lady, that you are saying things which are not fitting for me to hear," the man answered, in a tone of cold displeasure. "The King, thank God, is well. When he ails, it will be time to talk of his succession."
"It will be a little late then," she retorted. "In the meantime, and to please me----"
He raised his hand in protest. "Anything else," he said.
"You have not yet heard what I propose," she cried, her voice shrill with anger. "It is a trifle, and to please me you might well do it. Set your hand to a note which I will see delivered in the proper quarter; promising nothing in the Prince's life-time--there! but only that in the event of his death you will support a Restoration."
"Cannot do it?" she rejoined with heat. "Why not? You have done as much before."
"It maybe: and been forgiven for it by the best master man ever had!"
"Who feels nothing, forgives easily," she sneered.
"But not twice," he said gravely. "The King----"