“Is Felimid mac Dall married?”
“He is, master.”
“Give my compliments to Felimid,” said Conachúr, “and tell him that his wife is to sleep with me to-night.”
The attendant vanished and the king was left alone. That is, he was left to his thoughts, for when he was among those he was where other men might not care to follow him. In fact, the large room wherein he sat was almost uncomfortably filled with men: but they kept respectfully apart, playing chess, and speaking in low voices to one another.
The attendant returned.
“A Rí Uasal!” said he humbly.
“Well?” said Conachúr.
“The master of the house regrets that his wife cannot sleep with you to-night.”
“Here is something new,” said the king sternly.
“His wife is at this moment in childbed,” murmured the discreet servant.