Although his condition was known, the hideous impudence of the
fellow did not desert him, and he remained in Bath, where none would
speak to him."
"Is your farrago nigh done, sir?"
"A few moments, madam. One evening, three weeks gone, I observed a very
elegant equipage draw up to my door, and the Duke of Chateaurien was
announced. The young man's manners were worthy--according to the French
acceptance--and 'twere idle to deny him the most monstrous assurance. He
declared himself a noble traveling for pleasure. He had taken lodgings
in Bath for a season, he said, and called at once to pay his respects
to me. His tone was so candid--in truth, I am the simplest of men, very
easily gulled--and his stroke so bold, that I did not for one moment
suspect him; and, to my poignant regret--though in the humblest spirit
I have shown myself eager to atone--that very evening I had the shame of
presenting him to yourself."
"The shame, sir!"
"Have patience, pray, madam. Ay, the shame! You know what figure he hath
cut in Bath since that evening. All ran merrily with him until several
days ago Captain Badger denounced him as an impostor, vowing that
Chateaurien was nothing."
"Pardon," interrupted M. Beaucaire. "'Castle Nowhere' would have been so
much better. Why did you not make him say it that way, monsieur?"
Lady Mary started; she was looking at the Duke, and her face was white.
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