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I confess that I was moved. This King, whatever his faults, made people love him. For a moment I could not bear to speak or break the poor fellows illusion. But tough old Sapt had no such feeling. He slapped his hand on his thigh delightedly. Bravo, lad! cried he. We shall do! Fritz looked up in bewilderment. I held out my hand. Youre wounded, sire! he exclaimed. Its only a scratch, said I, but I paused. He rose to his feet with a bewildered air. Holding my hand, he looked me up and down, and down and up. Then suddenly he dropped my hand and reeled back. Wheres the King? Wheres the King? he cried. Hush, you fool! hissed Sapt. Not so loud! Heres the King! A knock sounded on the door. Sapt seized me by the hand. Here, quick, to the bedroom! Off with your cap and boots. Get into bed. Cover everything up. I did as I was bid. A moment later Sapt looked in, nodded, grinned, and introduced an extremely smart and deferential young gentleman, who came up to my bedside, bowing again and again, and informed me that he was of the household of the Princess Flavia, and that her Royal Highness had sent him especially to enquire how the Kings health was after the fatigues which his Majesty had undergone yesterday. My best thanks, sir, to my cousin, said I; and tell her Royal Highness that I was never better in my life. The King, added old Sapt (who, I began to find, loved a good lie for its own sake), has slept without a break all night. The young gentleman (he reminded me of Osric in Hamlet) bowed himself out again. The farce was over, and Fritz von Tarlenheims pale face recalled us to realitythough, in faith, the farce had to be reality for us now. Is the King dead? he whispered. Please God, no, said I. But hes in the hands of Black Michael! |
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