"But why should they be with us?"
"They are sensible men, for one thing. They are very old servants of Arnolfo's, for another."
"Then Vorza?"
"He has never seen the King, you know that already."
"And the other notables?"
"All the members of the Town Council, which is the progressive element in Alsander, are with us. For all that, none of them have seen Andrea."
"But has there been no ceremony? For instance, was Andrea never crowned?"
"Yes, but with little pomp. There was only the Bishop there and myself. He was crowned in the empty room."
"And the Bishop?"
"Is fortunately dead. No one lives but myself who saw that mock coronation and a small acolyte who is now one of the most able young men of our party. The people were kept outside, but I remember they applauded, none the less. But the only person who was really impressed was the King himself. It meant a great deal to him, that shabby ceremonial!"