True, Frances Howard wanted the favorite, whilst this beauty of yours” —

“You will please not couple the name of my wife with the name of that adulteress!” I interrupted fiercely.

He started; then cried out somewhat hurriedly: “No offense, no offense! I meant no comparisons; comparisons are odorous, saith Dogberry. All at court know the Lady Jocelyn Leigh for a very Britomart, a maid as cold as Dian!”

I rose, and began to pace up and down the bit of green before the door. “Master Pory,” I said at last, coming to a stop before him, “if, without breach of faith, you can tell me what was said or done at the Council to-day anent this matter, you will lay me under an obligation that I shall not forget.”