Every failure I have known at court has come from too great a desire to please." Frances laughed uneasily, for she knew she was hearing the truth, disguised as a jest.

After a moment's silence, she asked:-- "May I not at least try to please your Grace?
And may I not seek your advice and thank you now and then for a reprimand ?" "Yours is the first request of the sort I have ever heard from a maid of honor, and I shall take you at your word," said the duchess.

"I'm not posing as the head of a morality school, but if I may, I shall try to be your guide." Lady Wentworth was almost comatose with pride--"pride on the brain" Frances afterwards called it.
Presently her Grace continued seriously.

"The king will make love to you on sight.

If he fails in obtaining a satisfactory response, he may affect to be offended for a few days, during which time my husband may try his hand.