Page 326 - A Jacobite Exile

"There," she said, "let that be the beginning and end of ceremony. This is
not a court gathering, but a family meeting. I want to hear your stories, and

I want you, for the time, to forget that I am Anne of England. I know that
your fathers have always been faithful to our house, and I hope that their

sons will, ere long, do as good service for me as they have done for a
foreign prince.

"You have not seen these gentlemen yet, Sarah?"

"No, my husband has kept them to himself."

"I have had but little time to give them, Sarah, and wanted it all, to question

them on the Swedish modes of warfare."

"And you thought I should be an interruption?

"I am glad to meet you both, nevertheless. Since my husband likes you, I

am sure to do so;" and she smiled pleasantly, as she gave a hand to each.

They were then introduced to the Prince Consort, George of Denmark.

At this moment, supper was announced. The queen and the duchess went in

together, followed by the four gentlemen.

"Lord Godolphin and Mr. Harley were to have been of the party tonight,"
the queen said, as she took her seat at table, "but I put them off till
tomorrow, as I wanted to hear these gentlemen's story."

During the meal, the conversation was gay. As soon as the last dish was

removed, the party returned to the other room. Then the queen called upon
the young men to tell their story.

Charlie began, and related up to the time when he had aided in the rescue of
his father from the hands of his escort. Harry told the story of their military

experiences, and then Charlie related his narrow escape at Warsaw, his
adventure with the brigands, and the fight with the wolves.