"My dear," said Coronel, "you never told me he was as fond of her as that."
"But I had no idea! Coronel, what can we do now about it? Oh, I want him to marry her now. He's quite right—she'll make a wonderful Queen. Oh, my dear, I feel I want everybody to be as happy as we're going to be."
"They can't be that, but we'll do our best for them. I can manage Udo all right. I only have to say 'rabbits' to him, and he'll do anything for me. Hyacinth, I don't believe I've ever kissed you in this room yet, have I? Let's begin now."
Merriwig came upon the other pair of lovers in Belvane's garden. They were sharing a seat there, and Udo was assuring the Countess that he was her own little Udo-Wudo, and that they must never be away from each other again. The King put his hand in front of his eyes for a moment as if he could hardly bear it.
"Why, it's his Majesty," said Belvane, jumping up. She gave him a deep curtsey and threw in a bewitching smile on the top of it; formality or friendliness, he could take his choice. "Prince Udo of Araby, your Majesty." She looked shyly at him and added, "Perhaps you have heard."
"I have," said the King gloomingly. "How do you do," he added in a melancholy voice.
Udo declared that he was in excellent health at present, and would have gone into particulars about it had not the King interrupted.
"Well, Countess," he said, "this is strange news to come back to. Shall I disturb you if I sit down with you for little?"
"Oh, your Majesty, you would honour us. Udo, dear, have you seen the heronry lately?"
"Yes," said Udo.