Page 325 - A Jacobite Exile

had fought behind Charles of Sweden, in all his desperate battles, and that
he had not only promoted you to the rank of captain, but that he had, under

his own hand, given you a document expressing his satisfaction at your
conduct and bravery, she said that I must bring you to supper at the palace.

I told her that, being soldiers, you had brought with you no clothes fit for
appearance at court; but, as at little gatherings there is no ceremony, she
insisted that I should bring you as you are.

"My wife Sarah went on half an hour ago, in her chair. There will probably

be two others, possibly Godolphin and Harley, but more likely some
courtier and his wife.

"You do not feel nervous, I hope? After being accustomed to chat with
Charles of Sweden, to say nothing of the Czar of Russia, Carstairs, you

need not feel afraid of Queen Anne, who is good nature itself."

Nevertheless, both the young men felt nervous. After being conducted up

some private stairs, the duke led them into an oak-panelled room, of
comparatively small size, lighted by numerous tapers, which displayed the

rich hangings and furniture. A lady was sitting by the fire. A tall, handsome
woman, with a somewhat imperious face, stood on the rug before her,
talking to her, while a pleasant-looking man, who by his appearance and

manner might have been taken for a country squire, was sitting opposite,
playing with the ears of a spaniel lying on his knee.

The tall lady moved aside, as they entered, and Charlie noticed a little
glance of affectionate welcome pass between her and the duke--for the pair

were devotedly attached to each other--then he bowed to the seated lady.

"Madam," he said, "allow me to present to you the two young officers, of
whose bravery Charles of Sweden has written so strongly, and whose
parents have, with other gentlemen, been driven from the land by villainy."

The young men bowed deeply. Anne held out her hand, and each in turn,

bending on one knee, raised it to his lips.