Grammont had offered to go with us, when we explained what we were to do
and the danger in doing it, and we were glad to have him and his sword,
for we might find ourselves in straits where we should need both. He and
Hamilton were to meet me at the head of King's Street. Each of us was to
carry a long sword and to have a pistol, charged and primed, in his belt.
After leaving the parchments with Frances, I hastened to bring Betty up
to Whitehall, and, shortly after eight o'clock, met Du Boise and De
Grammont at King's Street arch, all of us wearing full vizards.
We walked down to the boat, De Grammont frequently taking notice of
Bettina, for, despite her full vizard and an enveloping cloak, she was
far too attractive not to rivet his attention.
When we reached Westminster stairs, we found the boat awaiting us. We did
not want the watermen to go with us, so I bought the boat and dismissed
them.
We entered the boat, and when Bettina took the stern oar, De Grammont
asked:--
"Who is she--the lady on the stern thwart? Can she steer the boat? Does
she know the river?"
"Yes, to all of your questions, count," I answered.
"'Yes' doesn't answer the first question," he returned.
"It isn't to be answered," I replied curtly, and he returned with an
apologetic "Pardon!"
Just before nine o'clock we took Frances aboard at Whitehall Garden
Stairs and drifted slowly down to the king's privy stairs, from which
the narrow flight of steps rose to the king's closet in the story above.
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