I hastened forward, but they were so interested in each other that they did not know of my presence till I asked:—­

“Cousin, won’t you introduce me?”

Frances turned with a little scream, and the gentleman spun around quickly, putting on his hat and dropping my cousin’s hand, which he had been holding.  At first my surprise deprived me of the power to think, but soon I recovered self-control, and said:—­

“Ah, there is no need to introduce me, cousin.  I already know Master Hamilton.”

“Yes,” stammered the gentleman, holding out his hand, “Baron Ned and I know each other well.”

I did not take his hand, and when I saw anger mounting to his eyes, I explained with the best smile at my command:—­

“I do not take your hand, sir, because I have that to say to my cousin which will greatly displease you.  I am glad to have the opportunity of saying it in your presence, as I dislike speaking ill of a man behind his back.”

“You need speak no ill of Master Hamilton either in his presence or behind his back, if you intend to do so on my account,” interrupted Frances, throwing back her head defiantly.

But I was not to be halted in my duty.  Here was a future duchess in danger of being lost to the world for the sake of a vicious, penniless gambler, having neither title, estates, nor character.

“I do not ask your permission, cousin,” I answered, bowing and smiling, for it is well to keep one’s temper in such a case.  “What I shall say is the truth, word for word, and Master Hamilton himself shall be the arbiter.”

“Speaking the truth may be a great impertinence,” remarked Frances, trying to hide her anger under an air of carelessness.

“True,” I returned.  “And what I have to say will confirm your position.  Shall I speak now before Master Hamilton, or shall I say what I have to say in your father’s presence and send to Master Hamilton later a full account of my remarks?”

“For my part, sir, I shall be glad to hear whatever you have to say now,” interrupted Hamilton, with an angry gleam in his eyes and a poor attempt at a smile playing about his mouth.

I would say here that I was confronting one of the bravest men in England and one of the best swordsmen in the world.  While he was not prone to seek a quarrel, he certainly had never avoided one because of fear of his antagonist.

I took advantage of my cousin’s silence and, turning to Hamilton, said:  “If I speak one work of untruth, you are at liberty to give me the lie.”  Then turning to Frances, I continued:  “What I have to say, cousin, is this, Master Hamilton is one of the most disreputable men at court.”

Frances drew back, startled, and Hamilton grasped his sword hilt, drawing the blade half from its scabbard.

I bowed, smiled, and said:  “Tut, tut, Hamilton!  A lady should never see a naked sword blade.  Later, later, of course, at your pleasure!  I shall be found at my uncle’s house in Sundridge during the next three or four days.  After that you know my lodgings in the Wardrobe at Whitehall.  I shall be delighted to receive your messenger, if it is your pleasure, after you have heard what I have to say.”