“Who may you be?” asked Dick.
“Well, who I may be in a year or two, the Lord and Nelly only knows—she says a merry pauper. But who I am is easier said; I happen just now to be the King.”
Dick stood unmoved.
“Then I could tell you what you are, sir,' said Dick.
“Not half as well as I could tell you, my friend,” said the King.
“I wonder if your Majesty ever hears the truth?” said Dick.
“Seldom; any time I do, it comes from the lips of Nelly, yonder,” replied the King. “And by my soul, sir, I would rather hear the truth from Nelly, than a lie from the most honourable of my subjects.”
“Profligate!” cried Dick.
“I answer to that name, sir; what then?” said the King.
“What then? God only can reply to your 'what then?' The answer rests with Him. He will not forget to answer you when His time comes.”