leave court with honor; now you would leave in disgrace. Right or wrong,
the king can do no wrong, and even were it known that he had kidnapped
you, every one would laugh at you as the victim of a royal prank. Many
would say that you were willing to be kidnapped, and the court hussies
would rejoice at your downfall."

Frances and George saw the force of my argument, and we agreed to act
accordingly, George, of course, having little to do in the premises save
to remain hidden.

In a few minutes Pickering brought us a coach, and Frances and I drove to
Temple Bar, where I dismissed the coach and walked with my cousin to her
father's house.

I went in with Frances, and we aroused Sir Richard to tell him of his
daughter's experience, and of the plan of action agreed upon, though we
did not mention the king's name, leading Sir Richard to believe that we
did not know the guilty persons.

Sir Richard and Sarah readily agreed that secrecy was our only means of
saving Frances from ruinous publicity. Sarah especially grasped the point
and cleared the situation of all cloud by suggesting:--

"My sister has been here ever since yesterday noon, as my father, John
Churchill, and I will testify."

That was a very long speech for Sarah, but it was a helpful one. I, too,
might add my testimony and thus furnish enough evidence to convince any
reasonable person that Frances had not been kidnapped, but had remained
safe and well in her father's house through all this terrible night.