"Max, I wish you would not talk like that," said the King. "I wanted to speak seriously to you."
"And I to you," answered Max. "But when I start I shall only shock you more."
"Well, we had better get it over, then. Say the most serious thing you have to say, and be done with it!"
Then Prince Max drew a bold breath. "Conditionally upon your consent, sir"—he began—"(I myself regret the condition, but on that point the lady is adamant)—I say all this in order to let the whole case be stated before giving you the necessary shock——"
"Oh, go on!" groaned the King.
"Conditionally, then, I am already engaged to be married."
The King's mind went vacuously all round the Courts of Europe, and returned to him again empty.
"Whom to?" he inquired.
Max made his announcement with stately formality.
"The lady who honors me with her affection is the daughter of our Primate Archbishop."