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he had as many mistresses as my uncle. But my father's were always ugly. Uncle Charles used to say that he must have chosen them as a penance. Oh, Hill, I fear my father was a hard man! I used to be appalled at the tortures that he allowed the Scots to inflict on their dissenters, when we lived in the north. And as for the horrors that followed the suppression of poor Monmouth's rebellion ... well, they were beyond words. Some people think it must be great to be a queen, but I think you, Hill, have a sense of what pain and soreness it can bring. Why did they want my father to marry a princess and not a commoner? I'll tell you why! Because if a monarch is not to be bowed to the ground with the sadness of his task—all the horrible wars, like this one we're now in, and all the bloody executions—he must have royal blood, which means coldness to human agony. Yes, it is true! It is my Hyde blood that is my undoing, that makes me wring my hands over the war and the woes of man, like Uncle Charles, whom people so carelessly called the 'merry monarch.'" The Queen paused now and then announced suddenly: "We will see Mr. Masham, Hill. Send for him."
    "Right now, ma'am?"
    "Right now. You need a husband, my girl!"
    When Masham had been summoned, and he and I were standing together before the Queen's chair, I had to admire his composure. As I had no idea what tack my mistress would take, he could not have, either. And yet he had the confidence to contemplate majesty with smiling eyes!
    "Hill has informed me of her condition, Mr. Masham," the Queen began gravely. "It is not one in which I care to find the women of my bedchamber. Are you prepared to do the honorable thing?"
    "With the greatest of pleasure, ma'am! And may I express my deepest regret that the fruit of our mutual ardor, if I may take the liberty of putting it so, should have caused any concern to Your Majesty's peace of mind?"
    I found this both vulgar and impudent, but the Queen did not seem to mind. "All's well that ends well, Mr. Masham," she said complacently. "The ceremony had better be secret so that gossips will not be able to calculate the months. We shall attend as witness."
    I fell upon my knees. Masham merely bowed low.
    "May I inquire, ma'am, if Mr. Harley has spoken in my behalf?" he asked.
    "He has." Masham did not know the meaning of those lowered eyelids, or he would not have persisted.
    "And has Your Majesty seen fit to consider his petition with any favor?"
    "No, Mr. Masham, I have not. Your conduct to Mrs. Hill may be deemed a fault that marriage will rectify. There is no occasion for reward, beyond the happy possession of a worthy spouse."
    Masham's smile became even brighter. "Perhaps Your Majesty has not been apprised of my circumstances. I am in no position, alas, to afford a wife."
    "You should have considered that before you became so intimate with Mrs. Hill, sir. Future promotion will depend on how you treat her."
    "And if I decline the honor, ma'am?"
    "Then I am afraid we shall be deprived of the pleasure of seeing you at court. There are islands, however, in the New World where my officers can usefully serve."
    Could the great Queen Elizabeth have put it better? Masham, to do him justice, took his licking like a man.
    "Your Majesty's favor is all the dowry I shall need," he said, with another deep bow. "May we have Your Majesty's permission to marry tomorrow? If it will not inconvenience Your Majesty to attend a ceremony at so short a notice?"
    "That will do very well, Mr. Masham. We observe that you are a man of good sense. So you may profit by one more piece of good counsel. We do not wish to see lugubrious countenances in our presence. If Mrs. Hill's mood is a happy one, your fortunes will prosper. You have a vested interest in the contentedness of your spouse, sir!"
    The royal nod indicated that the audience was over, and Masham could only bow and depart. His sharp quick glance at me indicated that I was to accompany him, but I decided