urtiers were, too, and the new maid of honor became a
person of distinction at once.

The king's unexpected remark disconcerted Frances for a moment, and her
confusion added to her charm. In a moment she recovered herself,
courtesied, and said:--

"I beg your Majesty not to remind me of my terrible mistake. I thought
you were a bold cavalier, and of course did not know that I was speaking
to my king. I offer my humble apology. Pray do not pay your compliments
to the devil, but keep them for me, your Majesty's most devoted subject."

"Odds fish!" exclaimed his Majesty. "I'm glad of the reprieve. I did not
want to go to the devil, but Odds fish! I'd be willing to do so for a
smile from my most devoted subject."

"Merci, sire!" answered Frances, with a courtesy and smiling as
graciously as even a king could ask.

"If my most devoted subject will honor her king by asking him to dance
the next coranto with her, he will do his best to make amends for his
boldness earlier in the day, for he is naturally a modest king."

"A modest manner and a bold heart, I fear, your Majesty," returned
Frances, making the most pleasing compliment she could have paid her
sovereign. "May I be honored with your Majesty's hand for the next
coranto?"

"It is my will," graciously answered the king.

The ball opened with a brantle which his Majesty danced with the duchess,
Frances remaining, meantime, with Mary and me, awaiting the coranto with
the king, a royal favor which would win for her the envy of many a lady,
as the king seldom danced.

When the brantle was finished, the king worked his way over to Frances,
and when the bugle announced the coranto, she was saved the embarrassment
of seeking him, as she must have done had he not been by her side.

An altogether unexpected ordeal awaited Frances, for when the French
musicians began to play and his Majesty led her out, she found herself
and the king the only dancers on the floor except the Duke of York with
Mistress Stuart, and the Duke of Monmouth with his father's friend, Lady
Castlemain. Every one else stood by the wall, many of the ladies hoping
to see the new maid fail, and all of the gentlemen eager to behold her
and to comment.

The coranto is a difficult movement to perform gracefully. It consists of
a step forward, a pause during which the dancer balances on one foot,
holding the other suspended forward for a moment, then another step,
followed by a bow on the gentleman's pa