This somewhat distinguished lady, in company with
Mrs. STOWE, GRACE DARLING, RALEIGH, Dr. FRANKLIN and others, was once
taking tea by special invitation in the back parlor at Kenilworth, when
the conversation turned on boating. RALEIGH, who, from his experience,
was quite at home on that topic, playfully wagered his best peaked ruff
that LEICESTER could not prevail on either of the ladies there present
to venture with him on the lake in his new ten-oared lap-streak wherry.
The Earl was roughly piqued by this taunt, being secretly proud of his
aquatic accomplishments, and, turning hastily to the Queen, he remarked:
"And yet the lady lives who ventures wheresoever I may lead."
"Prithee, brave Earl," interrupted the Queen, in high dudgeon, "will you
impart to us her name?"
An awkward pause ensued, when LEICESTER, fixing his aquiline eye
piercingly upon ELIZABETH'S face, replied, in a tone of the deepest
respect, "YOU, BET!"
This expression has ever since held its place as a maxim of polite
conversation.
* * * * *
An Irrational Proceeding
Sending Fenians to Canada without Rations.
Pages:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57