After more handshaking and
chatting, the eager Prince caught the Colonel by the arm and was for
dragging him off into the house destined for his lodging, but the Colonel
in his turn resisted and led him towards Margaret.
"My daughter, sir," he said, briefly and proudly.
Off came the bonnet, and Charles bowed low and greeted her with very
marked courtesy.
"Your prince, madam," he said, "but also your very humble servant. My
Court is a small one, and you are as important and welcome an addition to
it as is your distinguished father to my army. Swounds, Colonel," turning
to him with a merry smile, "I shall put a flea in his lordship's ear when
I see him at Derby. He never so much as mentioned your daughter. Man, one
might as well talk of stars and forget Venus!"
"There is this excuse for him, sir," said the Colonel, very sedately,
"that on the only occasion on which my Lord Murray saw her, which was at
Turin in 1738, she was a whirlwind of arms and legs, long plaits and short
petticoats."
"Whereas now she--but I will reserve my opinion for the shelter of a fan
in a secluded corner at my next little Court.
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