"I have other ways of doing that," said the King.
"Without upsetting yourself?"
This gave his Majesty a little start. "It depends what you mean by upsetting; perhaps it would upset you much more. But there, we won't talk about that!" For this was danger-point, and having touched it, he hurried cautiously away from it. Then he returned to the original charge: "Whatever put the idea into your head?"
"A vision of beauty that I had not believed to be possible."
"Is she so very beautiful, then?"
"You have seen her, sir, and you have not remembered her. I did not mean that sort of beauty."
"Ah, then, you are really in love."
"Ludicrously," confessed Max.
"My dear boy, I am very sorry for you."
"Oh, you need not be, sir; I am quite sure of myself at last; and by refusing to marry anybody else I have only to wait and you will have to yield to my request."