"Let him enter," said the King; "I have been expecting him since yesterday."
Charny entered quickly and said as he went up to his royal master with respectful eagerness:
"Sire, I am a few hours behindhand, but I hope to be forgiven when your Majesty hears the reasons for the delay."
"Come, come, my lord; I awaited you with impatience, it is true; but I was of your opinion beforehand that an important cause alone could delay your journey. You have come, and you are welcome."
He held out his hand which the courier kissed with reverence.
"Sire, I received your order early the day before yesterday and I started at three A. M. yesterday from Montmedy by the post."
"That explains the few hours delay," observed the sovereign, smiling.
"Sire," went on the count, "I might have dashed on and made better speed but I wanted to study the road as it is generally used so as to remark the posting-houses where the work is well or ill done; I wished to jot the time down by the minute. I have noted everything and am consequently in a position to answer on any point."
"Bravo, my lord," cried the King. "You are a first-rate servitor; but let me begin by showing how we stand here; you can give me the news of the position out there afterwards."