The two beagles kept aloof, and pretended to be winding some game round the top of the hill.
“They will not come now,” said the king; “you shall see them by and by.”
“If consistent with your majesty’s pleasure,” continued the aged knight, “where—how—or when did you get these two hounds?”
“I got them in a most extraordinary way, to be sure!” replied the king, in a thoughtful and hesitating mood.
“Your majesty does not then chuse to say how, or where, or from whom it was that you had them?” said the old knight.
The king shook his head.
“I will only simply ask this,” continued he; “and I hope there is no offence.—Is it true that you got these hounds at the very same time that the beautiful Elen, and Clara of Rosline, were carried off by the fairies?”
The king started—fixed his eyes upon the ground—raised his hands, and seemed gasping for breath. All the lords were momentarily in the same posture; the query acted on them all like an electrical shock. The old man seemed to enjoy mightily the effect produced by his insinuations—He drew still nearer to the king.
“What is it that troubles your majesty?” said he. “What reflections have my simple questions raised in your mind?—Your majesty, I am sure, can have no unpleasant reflections on that score?”