Chapter 19 Summary

Sham takes care of Sham and performs all his duties, but does everything under a cloud of worry that Sham will never have the opportunity to fulfill his potential. The duchess sometimes visits the stables and brings gifts for Agba, Sham and even Grimalkin. Agba repays her by doing extra chores for her.

There is only one chore Agba despise, and it is cleaning Hobgoblin's stall. Hobgoblin is a big and coarse stallion, and is seen as the King of Gog Magog and his stall, a palace. His stall walls are padded and his floor is laid with chalk and an abundance of straw and his sheets are emblazoned with the Earl of Godolphin's own crest. Agba had to change Hobgoblin's straw three times a day.

The groom explains to Agba that Hobgoblin has the "purplest blood in the kingsdom," and that the...