“ ‘Good luck,’ said the voice.
“ ‘You shut your face,’ said the King. ‘What’s all that shouting about?’
“Nobody answered him this time, but he had not long to wait. In fact, the door had hardly closed behind the Master of the Horse when it was burst open by the Lord Chamberlain.
“ ‘Sunset’s gone into a trance,’ he announced. ‘You know. A sort of swoon, only worse.’
“ ‘Curse these enchanters,’ said the King, catching up his crown. ‘Where is she?’
“ ‘In the forecourt,’ said the Lord Chamberlain. ‘She was playing with the State bloodhound when all of a sudden she collapsed. She’s still got the dog by the ear.’
“This was true. What was more to the point was that the physicians advised that, since she was under a spell, any attempt to interfere with her grip would probably prove fatal.
“The position was really extremely awkward.
“With incredible difficulty Sunset was got to bed, while the dog, who was becoming every moment more suspicious and impatient of his detention, was persuaded to lie upon a divan by her side.
“Then a council was held.