"I wish you to ride back to the village," said Kophetua, in a constrained manner, as Captain Pertinax came up.
"And how can I serve your majesty there?" asked the gendarme.
"Did you recognise the girl in the stocks?" said the King.
"I did, sire," answered Pertinax indifferently, as though he wished to imply it was an affair of his majesty's about which he had no curiosity, though, if the truth were told, his interest in the girl had certainly not diminished since the night he rescued her.
"Then you are aware," continued the King, "that she is the person whom you allowed to escape from your custody?"
"I am painfully aware of my neglect," answered the officer, with humility.
"Very well," said the King shortly; "go and repair it. You know your duty." And with that he gathered his reins to ride on, thinking how neatly he had got over his difficult task. But his instructions were still incomplete, and Pertinax did not go.
"Your majesty," began the officer, with hesitation.
"Well, sir?" cried the King sharply.