“Well,” said the king, “there is certainly something in that; but as it is now near the time, I think it but civil that I should be near the door to receive her when she does come.”
“Be it so, sire,” said Blood; “and while you are gone, we will get ready for the parts we may be about to play. By the bye, which room will you take her into, your majesty?”
“The room next to this.”
“Well, perhaps it will be better to do so, sire; and yet the next room that opens to the garden is most private, is it not?”
“Not so; lights can be seen through its windows; but that, to be sure, would not matter much. Hark!”
“It is the old clock.”
The old clock chimed the three-quarters past eleven, and the king, waving his hand to his friends, left the room, and took his way through a magnificent suite of chambers.
A handsome small saloon was already lighted, and into it the king at once made his way.
And, flinging his cap and cloak upon the table, he shook a small silver bell that was at hand.