"I will order your Majesty's carriage."
"No! I will ride."
Colonel Woolgast had returned; and I told him of my intention.
He looked anxious; and asked whether he should call out troops to line the way.
"Troops?" I said, perhaps foolhardily. "No, Colonel, just my own body-guard, half to clear a way, and the other half to follow. I will begin, as I intend to go on, by trusting the people. Count Zeula, I should be pleased if you would ride with me; and you, too, gentlemen, if so inclined."
"Thank God we shall have a King," I heard some one mutter, and then Mr. Smith and I were alone again, waiting for our horses.
"Am I wise?" I asked.
"Yes, Victor, I think you are, only I am nervous for your safety."
"I feel that nothing could hurt me to-day," I said, laughing. "But there is one thing I have forgotten, I wish Bauen to ride with us, to let the people see that loyalty such as his is not forgotten by my family."
"God made you a King before ever you came to Rudarlia, Victor."