observing, more by
intuition than by sight, that she was watched--and drew her veil closely
about her handsome features.

"Nelly, Nelly," laughed Buckingham, "I have thee, wench. Come, a
kiss!--a kiss! Nay, love; it was never treason to steal a King's
kisses."

He seized her by the arm and was about to kiss her when she turned and
threw back her veil.

"Buckingham!" she said, suavely.

"Portsmouth!" he exclaimed, awestruck.

He gathered himself together, however, in an instant, and added, as if
nothing in the world had happened: "An unexpected pleasure, your grace."

"Yes," said she, with a pretty shrug. "I did not know I was so honoured,
my lord."

"Or you would not have refused the little kiss?" he asked, suggestively.

"You called me 'Nelly,' my lord. I do not respond to that name."

"Damme, I was never good at names, Louise," said he, with mock-apology,
"especially by moonlight."

"Buz, buz!" she answered, with a knowing gesture and a knowing look.
Then, pointing toward the terrace, she added: "A pretty nest! A pretty
bird within, I warrant. Her name?"

"Ignorance well feigned," he thought. He replied, however, most
graciously: "Nell Gwyn."

"Oh, ho! The King's favourite, who has more power, they say, than great
statesmen--like my lord."

Her speech was well defined to draw out his lordship; but he was wary.

"Unless my lord is guided by my lady, as formerly," he replied,
diplomatically.

A look of suspicion crept into Portsmouth's face: but it was not visible
for want of contrast; for all things have a perverted look by the light
of the moon.

She had known Buckingham well at Dover. Their interests there had been
one in securing privileges from England for her French King. Both had
been well rewarded too for their pains. There were no proofs, however,
of this; and where his lordship stood to-day, and which cause he would
espouse, she did not know. His eyes at Dover had fallen fondly upon her,
but men's eyes fall fondly upon many women, and she would not trust too
much until she knew more.

"My chairmen have set me down at the wrong door-step," she said, most
sweetly. "My lord longs for his kiss. _Au revoir!_"

She bowed and turned to depart.

Buckingham was alert in an instant. He knew not when the opportunity
might come again to deal so happily with Louis's emissary and the place
and time of meeting had its advantages.

"Prythee stay, Duchess. I left the merry hunters, returning from
Ho