“No, but you may be sure the queen knows him; did you notice how affectionately she leans on his arm, and how close she puts her mouth to his ear when she speaks to him?”
“Yes, to be sure I did; but she is now playing the same game on Ivanhoe.”
“I don’t know that either, and without meaning any discourtesy to you, I beg to say that I don’t care a copper to know who he is.”
“I hear that it is the intention of Ingomar and Ivanhoe to imitate the example of the queen by making the trip incog.”
“By all means let them do it; and I suggest that we three do the same, and keep our names concealed from them, and we shall have rare sport. Don’t you know that the ladies will die of curiosity if we conceal our names? Let us form a combination against them, look and talk mysteriously, and my word for it, propositions will be made for a treaty looking to a general disclosure of names and the discarding of masks.”
“Capital idea, my lord, and you may depend upon my hearty co-operation. As soon as the boat leaves the wharf to-morrow let the war begin.”
“Perhaps the captain will object to passengers going in disguise all the time.”
“No; he told me that the queen intended to make the entire trip in mask, and that the same privilege would be extended to all who desired to avail themselves of it.”
“Very good, very good; then the alliance, offensive and defensive, may be considered as ratified and confirmed.”
“Charge, Chester, charge! and on, Stanley on!” said Wellington, as he drew the cork from a fresh bottle of champagne.
“Screw your courage up to the sticking point, my gallant king, and with the emperor and duke at your back, move on the enemy, unfurl your banner, cry ‘havoc,’ and let slip the dogs of war. Confusion and discomfiture shall overwhelm our foes.”
“We must win the queen of Sheba to our side at all hazards, as I learn that she and her two maids of honor are going on the excursion.”
“That shall be your task, then--to secure her co-operation. See her at once, and if she will join us, we will have an easy victory.”
“You may depend on me for that,” said the counterfeit king, as he started on his recruiting expedition. “I’ll be back in a moment, and report progress. Meantime you and Napoleon mature the plan of the campaign during my absence.”