"My dear Earl," he accordingly said, "you are too honourable and too highly-principled a statesman not to yield to conviction. Grant me, in common justice, one favour: I ask it in the name of his Majesty."
"Speak," exclaimed Arthur, resuming his chair to show that he was prepared to listen with courteous attention.
"The Prime Minister is present at the re-union this evening," said Sir Phillip: "will you hear any argument which he may address to you upon the subject of your notice for next Monday night, and consider whatever may pass between you to be strictly confidential?"
"I should be unreasonable to refuse to listen to any observations which so high a functionary as the Prime Minister may address to me," answered the Earl; "and I shall consider our interview to be private and confidential, on condition that no insult be offered to me in the shape of temptation or promise of reward. If it can be shown by fair argument that I am wrong in pursuing the course which I have adopted, I will yield to conviction; but I shall spurn with contempt and indignation any other means that may be adopted to induce me to withdraw my notice from the books of the House."
"The Interview shall take place upon the condition your lordship has stipulated. Be kind enough to await my return with the Prime Minister."
Sir Phillip Warren then withdrew, closing the door behind him.
But scarcely had he left the Blue Velvet Closet, when the lamp upon the table suddenly grew dim; and in a few moments the light expired altogether, doubtless through lack of oil—leaving the room in total darkness.
The Earl was uncertain how to act; and while he was still deliberating with himself whether to leave the Closet in search of a servant to procure another light, or await the return of Sir Phillip Warren, the door opened.
"This room is in darkness, sire," immediately said a female voice, which the Earl of Ellingham recognised to be that of Lady Hatfield.
"I pledge you my royal word that I was ignorant of the fact when I conducted you hither," returned the King. "But, pray enter, beauteous lady: we may at all events converse at our ease for a few minutes."