I felt Fitz slip the revolver into my hand.
"Come," he said in his tone of natural decision, "let us go and have a bath and get ready for breakfast."
While the King continued to discourse amiably with his daughter we made our escape.
In the privacy of my room over the stables we removed the cartridges from the revolver.
Fitz handed the weapon to me. "Keep it," he said, "as a memento of Ferdinand the Twelfth. I should have crossed the river if Sonia had not heard my call."
Fitz shivered; but in his haggard face I thought that reason was still enthroned.
CHAPTER XXVII
PROVIDES A LITTLE FEMININE DIVERSION
At the breakfast table, Mrs. Arbuthnot was moved to inquire of our distinguished guest whether he would care to meet some of our friends and neighbours at dinner. His incognito should be preserved rigidly; and perhaps a few fresh faces would serve to lighten the tedium of his stay in our midst. The King assented to the proposal with his usual hearty good-humour.