“What passed between you?” he demanded, with much of his customary arrogant insistence.
“It was a confidential interview, monsieur.”
“If it concerned me I have a right to know.”
“I must ask you to excuse my saying anything. You and I began as friends, then we had a pretty sharp burst as antagonists; now if you please we must be neutrals—I have nothing further to say to you.”
“I have yet to see his Majesty, monsieur.” Even now he was ready to threaten me in his indomitable doggedness.
I took no notice, and presently Colonel Vilda returned.
“His Majesty is unable to see your Highness,” he announced.
“I will not take that answer,” declared the Prince vehemently. “The matters are too urgent and vitally affect his Majesty himself, for me to take it. I have been his loyal adviser and faithful minister for many years. I am not to be thrown aside on the bare word of hirelings and traitors.” He was fast losing self-control in his passion when he checked himself and said: “Give my humble greetings to his Majesty, tell him I am ill and perhaps dying, and solicit most earnestly that he will see me. Say it may be the last time on earth I may ever speak to him.”
“His Majesty was very decided,” said the Colonel.
“His Majesty does not know either how ill I am or how urgent my business. Should I be here like this, if it were not?”