CHAPTER XIV.
The King Explains.
The first who recovered his voice and presence of mind was Benson.
“Did your lordship ring for coffee?” he asked, quietly; and when he was told “Yes,” he bowed and withdrew, with majestic composure.
When he had gone, the prince threw himself at the king’s feet, crying:
“Pardon, pardon, my liege!”
“Don’t speak to me, sir!” answered the king, very angrily; and the poor prince threw himself at the feet of the queen.
But she took no notice of him whatever, no
more than if he had been a fairy; and the prince heard her murmur, as she pinched her royal arms:
“I shall waken presently; this is nothing out of the way for a dream. Dr. Rumpfino ascribes it to imperfect nutrition.”