"I now tell you my secret. No one else knows it.
The purchase of Dunkirk has bought for me the smile of my master. I have
been recalled to Versailles. I return to La Belle France within a
fortnight! Come with me! I'll show you a king in very deed, and promise
furthermore that his smile shall be for you!"
"I can't go with you, my dear count," I returned gratefully. "But I
promise to see you soon in Paris. I suppose you will take with you the
elder Mistress Hamilton, to whom I understand you have long been plighted
in marriage, or will you return for her?"
"O-o-oh! Return for her, dear baron, return for her!" answered the count,
shrugging his shoulders.
To close the chapter of De Grammont's life in England, I would say that
he kept the secret of his recall to France, and one night after dark left
his house near the Mall, taking a coach to Dover without saying to
Mistress Hamilton when he would return.
But Mistress Hamilton had two brothers still in England, Count Anthony
and James, who, catching wind of De Grammont's exodus, took horse and a
small escort, made all possible speed, and came up with De Grammont's
coach some six or eight leagues east of London.
Count Anthony rode up to one door of the coach, while James brought his
horse to the other.
"Good morning, count," said Anthony, bending down to the coach window.
"Good morning, my dear count," returned De Grammont, blandly.
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