Josiana, for reasons of her own, would have been very glad to disobey,

or at least to delay obedience, and put off her departure till next day;

but court life does not permit of these objections. She was obliged to

set out at once, and to leave her residence in London, Hunkerville

House, for her residence at Windsor, Corleone Lodge.

The Duchess Josiana left London at the very moment that the wapentake

appeared at the Tadcaster Inn to arrest Gwynplaine and take him to the

torture cell of Southwark.

When she arrived at Windsor, the Usher of the Black Rod, who guards the

door of the presence chamber, informed her that her Majesty was in

audience with the Lord Chancellor, and could not receive her until the

next day; that, consequently, she was to remain at Corleone Lodge, at

the orders of her Majesty; and that she should receive the queen's

commands direct, when her Majesty awoke the next morning. Josiana

entered her house feeling very spiteful, supped in a bad humour, had the

spleen, dismissed every one except her page, then dismissed him, and

went to bed while it was yet daylight.

When she arrived she had learned that Lord David Dirry-Moir was expected

at Windsor the next day, owing to his having, whilst at sea, received

orders to return immediately and receive her Majesty's commands.

654

The Man Who Laughs