H. C. Bailey

“ Gwyn laughed like a nurse watching a child with its sand castle.
There were park wardens ready to provide that none should disturb the royal labours. While most of the loungers in the park kept loyally aloof, one man gave trouble, persisting insolently that he must have speech with the King. It may have been himself who attracted Mrs. Gwyn, for he was a stalwart fellow, of wholesome brown face. But he had with him a child of singular allure. She was so fragile that she seemed no form of earth. ”

“ The King played with the Duchess of Cleveland's admirable arm. “And they were all tedious.”
The Duchess tossed her head. “Every man is when he thinks of himself.”
“And every woman when she thinks of anything else,” said the King lazily.
“Why, sir, the perfect woman should not know she is woman till you tell her so. She will then be incarnate gratitude: which is woman's business, and which man never gives her a chance to do, lest perfection should require him to be superhuman—that is to say, faithful. ”

“ His tired dull eyes flickered and brightened, and he looked from her to the Duchess of Portsmouth as you may see a man when he has a pair of dogs ready for fighting.
For Mrs. Gwyn's velvet was the very likeness of the Duchess's. They made a piquant pair, of a sweet childish beauty both, but the Duchess dark-browed and peevish, as Mrs. Gwyn was fair and gay. And the Duchess was not mellowed by that kinship in velvet. She bit her lip, and the polished brow was drawn till she looked a baby shrew. But Mrs. Gwyn's face spoke the surprise of innocence. ”

“ He be in a swound and she have stuck herself. It's Dick Craddock that the Lord Chief Justice have had flogged for mishandling of the tipstaffs, and that queer maid of his. Good lack, to kill herself like a pig now! What a saucy maid!”
The frail face lay before them all distorted and dappled with blood from that grim wound in the throat, and still it seemed that the child's limbs moved.
“I've an opinion the vulgar should not attempt tragedy,” said my Lord Wilmot. “They are too crude in it. And I wonder if I can find a coach?”
“Faith, Nell, if you weep so, I shall swim,” quoth the King. ”

“ She muttered in French.
“Fie, child, never take it to heart so,” cried Mrs. Gwyn compassionately. “Why, it's easy mended. Strip off the dress, The men will forgive you then.”
“This person fancies herself back in the pit, I think,” cried the Duchess, in her French accent. “Is it not better that she go there?”
“What, you will keep it on? Sure, you can't look worse without it. But maybe you've your own reasons for keeping clothes on. Well, I'd never have my gown spoil another woman's looks. ”

“ She was of that age when body and soul feel most keenly without help from the anodyne of thought. Her nature, of one blood with those who see and know without the labour of reason, in whom the body is but a thin veil and feeble shield for the soul, paid their penalty of keenest torment in sorrow. ”

“ The ushers and some of the braver courtiers closed about him, and forced him backward by sheer weight. Still he screamed, “Justice! Justice!”
The King gave him no kind of answer.
The Duke of York bustled forward and took command. “The fellow belongs to Bedlam!” he cried. “See that he goes there, and what the whips can do for him.” So Craddock was hustled off. ”

“ She laid her hand on the child's shoulder with a skilful caress, but the child was cold. “Come now, tell me the affair. I'm no fine lady to play you double, but just a plain wench of the people.”
The man stared at her fiercely. There was never doubt of the fearless, careless honesty of that gay face. “My Lord Lewknor goes about to rob me, ma'am. He hath the ear of these red judges, and I am undone. Sure, it's the King's part to give me aid.”
Mrs. Gwyn swore a hearty oath. “Lewknor, the corpse! ”