“So you are,” answered the General, smiling. “I may say to you, however, that you will find things much changed—much improved in some respects, you will, perhaps, decide.”
“How do you happen to be traveling this way?” asked Beatrice, with a woman’s curiosity.
“Ah,” said the General, with a light laugh, “there’s a story connected with that. I’ve been favored with a special summons to attend at Court—to be received in special audience by His Majesty and the Chancellor.”
The Colonel looked up sharply and turned a quick, inquiring glance upon the speaker.
“There—is—no—new—trouble?” he faltered.
“I don’t know,” said the General lightly. “It is usually a sign of favor for a subject to be summoned to attend the Court of the King. In my case perhaps——”
He stopped abruptly and glanced toward Beatrice.
The young lady rose quickly from the table.
“I know you want to discuss business and politics and horrid things of that kind,” she exclaimed petulantly, “so I’ll disappear. But you and I,” she continued, turning to the General, “will have a little tête-à-tête before you leave, won’t we? If you are going to Court, you can take a message to Dorothy.”
“Certainly,” smilingly answered the General, and Beatrice tripped from the room.