"As a medical adviser," remarked Gilbert, smiling.
"Yes; but he thinks you can be a physician to the realm as well as to the ruler."
"Very kind of the king. For which case is he calling me in at present?"
"It is not the king who calls you, sir, but I," responded the lady, blushing; for her chaste heart knew not how to lie.
"You? Your health worries me the least; your pallor arises from fatigue and disquiet, not from bad health."
"You are right; I am not trembling for myself, but my brother, who makes me fret."
"So he does me, madame."
"Oh, our uneasiness does not probably spring from the same cause, as I am concerned about his health. I do not mean that he is unwell, but he is downcast and disheartened. Some ten days ago—I am counting the days now—he ceased speaking, except to me, and in his favorite pastime of backgammon he only utters the necessary terms of the game."
"It is eleven days since he went to the House to present his veto. Why was he not mute that day instead of the next?"
"Is it your opinion that he should have sanctioned that impious decree?" demanded the princess, quickly.