I'll be there in ten minutes." Within the promised time I found Frances at Holbein's Gate, and we walked up to Charing Cross, thence down the Strand toward Temple Bar.
"What is the trouble, Frances ?" I asked, anxious to hear her news, which I feared was bad.

She was in great distress, and I saw that a flood of tears was ready to accompany her tale of woe, so I said hurriedly: "Don't cry.

Laugh while you speak.

You will attract less attention." She tried to laugh, but the effort was piteous and became a failure, as she said:-- "George Hamilton has sailed for Canada, and my heart is broken." Again she tried to smile, but the smile never reached her eyes, for they were full of tears.
"How do you know ?" I asked, almost stunned by the news.
She tried to stay her tears, but failed, and answered between sobs: "Last night at the queen's ball, the king showed me a letter sent by order of the French king, saying that George had sailed from Bordeaux for Canada nearly a fortnight ago.

I could not help showing my grief, and the king, who was boisterously happy, said: 'Now you will forget him and listen to me.' I smiled, but it was a poor effort, and he smiled, showing his yellow fangs as he left me.