“And how does this matter concern,” he asked, “my very good friends, the Van Dechts?”
“Your Majesty,” Nicholas answered, “has admitted them, considering their position, or I should say their lack of position, to a somewhat surprising familiarity. This too has given rise to much comment in the city. Miss Van Decht is a very beautiful young woman, and your Majesty has treated her publicly with great consideration, almost as an equal. Your Majesty must bear with our prejudices. This is not a democratic country. We hold by our rank and its obligations, and we do not consider an American retired tradesman and his daughter people whom we can meet habitually on terms of equality—even at the Court of the King.”
Ughtred rose from his chair, and his mouth was set and grim.
“I am obliged to you for your frankness, Nicholas,” he said. “I will endeavour to return it. Mr. Van Decht and his daughter are my very good friends, and their position at my Court is that of valued and welcome associates. It seems to me that whom the King can treat as equals his nobles may endure as companions. But in any case I desire to say this to you and to the aristocracy of Theos, whose opinions you doubtless express. In the matter of my friends, as in the matter of taking a wife when the time may come, I do not permit any interference, and if any be offered I shall resent it. Further, if any stay away from my Court for such reasons as you have hinted at I shall esteem their absence a personal affront. Am I understood?”
Reist bowed in cold silence. The King took a quick step towards him and laid his hand upon his arm.
“Nicholas,” he said, “don’t let me lose a good friend—you to whom I owe my kingdom. Remember that I am a man as well as a King. I did not promise to become a machine when I took the coronation oaths. I have my likes and my dislikes—as you have. Bear with me a little.”
Reist hesitated. There entered a messenger for the King.
“Your Majesty,” he announced, “the Englishman Brand, is at the palace. He desires an immediate audience.”
Ughtred took up his cloak.
“I fear that it is ill news,” he said. “Follow me, Reist.”