"I am listening to your Majesty's words."
"It will be time enough for you to open your mouth when I empty my basket."
His words, and even more the tone in which he spoke and the significant glance of his eyes, declared his meaning. The bargain that I knew of I need not betray nor denounce till he fulfilled it. When would he fulfil it? He would not empty his basket, but still have something to give when he dealt with the King of France. I wondered that he should speak to me so openly; he knew that I wondered, yet, though his smile was bitter, he smiled still.
I bowed to him and answered:
"I am no talker, Sir, of matters too great for me."
"That's well. I know you for a gentleman of great discretion, and I desire to serve you. You have something to ask of me, Mr Dale?"
"The smallest thing in the world for your Majesty, and the greatest for me."
"A pattern then that I wish all requests might follow. Let me hear it."
"It is no more than your Majesty's favour for my efforts to win the woman whom I love."
He started a little, and for the first time in all the conversation ceased to fondle the little dog.