"No, on his. He's not easy here."
"Yet he outstayed his time!"
"We had a matter of business together, Sir. He came to ask something of me, but matters did not prove to be as he thought."
"Indeed you must tell me more, or should have told me less. I'm of a mighty curious disposition. Won't Mr Dale sit?" And the King seated himself.
"I will beg your Majesty's permission to depart," said I.
"All requests here, sir, lie with this lady to grant or to refuse. In this house I am a servant,—nay, a slave."
Nell rose and coming to the side of the King's chair stood there.
"Had things been other than they are, Mr Dale would have asked me to be his wife," said she.
A silence followed. Then the King remarked,