"Who's the gentleman of whose society you are so ready to be relieved?"
I turned, bowing low. The King arched his brows. It may well be that he had had enough of me already, and that he was not well pleased to stumble on me again and in this place. But he said nothing, merely turning his eyes to Nell in question.
"You know him, Sir," said she, throwing herself into a chair.
"Yes, I know him," said the King. "But, if I may ask without presumption, what brings him here?"
Nell looked at the pair of us, the King and Simon Dale, and answered coolly,
"My invitation."
"The answer is all sufficient," bowed the King. "I'm before my time then, for I received a like honour."
"No, he's after his," said she. "But as you heard, Sir, I was urging him to go."
"Not on my account, I pray," said the King politely.