I am going with you now."
George followed her into the other boat, and as it drew away, I saw him
bending low to kiss her hand. Then he shouted "Good-by!" and soon we
could see nothing but the black water between us.
Betty began to weep, and after a moment I began to swear, for I did not
like to see my cousin go off in this manner. De Grammont relieved his
mind by a shrug of his shoulders, took the oar that George had abandoned,
and without a word we started up-stream again.
CHAPTER XIV
HER LADYSHIP'S SMILE
We landed at the Old Swan stairs below the Bridge on Lower Thames Street,
and went to the end of the Bridge, where De Grammont waited till I had
taken Bettina home.
When I returned to the Bridge, the count and I took coach, and after a
rapid journey across silent London, I arrived at the palace just as Old
Tom of Westminster was striking eleven.
I climbed over the porch to my closet and reached there none too soon,
for I was hardly in bed when my door opened and in walked the king
followed by two men bearing candles. I pretended to be in a deep sleep
and when aroused sprang from my bed seemingly half dazed and ready to
defend myself, till the king spoke, when, of course, I was humble enough.
"How long have you been here?" demanded the king.
"All night I suppose, your Majesty; what time is it now?"
"Past eleven!" the king answered.
"In what may I serve your Majesty?" I asked.
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