 on the Duke in his own house, and have been there
received to a private interview, was in itself an uncommon and distinguished
event in the annals of a life so simple as hers; but to find herself his
travelling companion in a journey, and then suddenly to be left alone with him
in so secluded a situation, had something in it of awful mystery. A romantic
heroine might have suspected and dreaded the power of her own charms; but Jeanie
was too wise to let such a silly thought intrude on her mind. Still, however,
she had a most eager desire to know where she now was, and to whom she was to be
presented.
    She remarked that the Duke's dress, though still such as indicated rank and
fashion (for it was not the custom of men of quality at that time to dress
themselves like their own coachmen or grooms), was nevertheless plainer than
that in which she had seen him upon a former occasion, and was divested, in
particular, of all those badges of external decoration which intimated superior
consequence. In short, he was attired as plainly as any gentleman of fashion
could appear in the streets of London in a morning; and this circumstance helped
to shake an opinion which Jeanie began to entertain, that, perhaps, he intended
she should plead her cause in the presence of royalty itself. »But surely,« said
she to herself, »he wad hae putten on his braw star and garter, an he had
thought o' coming before the face of majesty - and after a', this is mair like a
gentleman's policy than a royal palace.«
    There was some sense in Jeanie's reasoning; yet she was not sufficiently
mistress either of the circumstances of etiquette, or the particular relations
which existed betwixt the government and the Duke of Argyle, to form an accurate
judgment. The Duke, as we have said, was at this time in open opposition to the
administration of Sir Robert Walpole, and was understood to be out of favour
with the royal family, to whom he had rendered such important services. But it
was a maxim of Queen Caroline to bear herself towards her political friends with
such caution, as if there was a possibility of their one day being her enemies,
and towards political opponents with the same degree of circumspection, as if
they might again become friendly to her measures. Since Margaret of Anjou, no
queen-consort had exercised such weight in the political affairs of England, and
the personal address which she displayed on many occasions, had no small share
in reclaiming from their political
