"With what name?" she asked.
"Your lawful one," said Frederick.
"Madeline Spencer," she answered—and dashed it off.
Then, for the first time since we entered the room, the King looked at Lotzen. Hitherto, he had ignored him, utterly.
"Witness it," he said sternly.
I smiled—and so did Madeline Spencer. It was the refinement of retribution.
Without a word or a change of feature, Lotzen obeyed. Then Frederick, himself, signed it; and, folding it carefully, gave it to me.
"Will Your Majesty graciously pardon the violence I offered you?" Mrs. Spencer said.
Frederick nodded.
"Readily, madame," he said. "In a way, you were justified—and, then, you missed me. Had you hit me, my pardon might not have been required."