the ballroom.

When Castlemain was gone, we all laughed save the king. Presently he left
us, and I saw him beckon Wentworth and Berkeley to his side. I followed
him as though going to the other side of the gallery, but walked slowly
when I approached him and the two worthy villains. I was rewarded by
hearing his Majesty say:--

"Odds fish! But you made a mess of it! You got the wrong woman! Who in
the devil's name did you pick up?"

I could not stop to hear the rest of this interesting conversation, but
two days later I heard from Rochester, who had it from Wentworth, that
the following occurred:--

"We thought we had her," answered Berkeley, nodding towards Frances, "but
the woman wore a full vizard and was wrapped in furs to her ears, so that
we did not see her face."

"Do you suppose we could have made a mistake?" asked Wentworth.

"You surely did," answered the king. "She has established an alibi. At
what hour did you leave Baynard's Castle?"

"Near one o'clock," returned Berkeley.

"One o'clock! She was playing cards with the duchess till four,"
exclaimed the king, impatiently. "You picked up the wrong woman. But
I'm glad you did. I suppose the lampooners will get hold of the story
and will set every one laughing at me. Kidnapped the wrong woman and