"Impossible, sir!" exclaimed the Prime Minister.
"That is what I tell him. He does not think so."
"But, your Majesty, this is absolutely unheard of. The whole position would be intolerable!"
"I indorse all your adjectives and your statements," said the King coldly; "but the fact remains."
"Then, sir, I must see the Prince, immediately."
"It is no use, no use whatever," replied his Majesty. "Besides—the matter is still rather at a private stage. You had much better wait till the Prince comes to you; otherwise he may accuse me of having been premature."
"But what does the Archbishop say?" cried the Premier, aghast.
"That is the point; I believe he does not yet know. Technically speaking, the engagement is scarcely a day old. The Prince's note claiming my promise reached me only this morning, and I imagine it is only now that the Archbishop will have to be informed. Hitherto the matter has been in suspension. You will understand it was dependent—on my abdication, I might say."
"In that case, sir, the conditions are not fulfilled."
"I fear they are," said the King; "the Prince has my promise in writing; and abdication is not mentioned. You see, it was the bomb that made all the difference. Very provoking that it should have happened just then; it upset all my plans!"