“The King does not think it so,” rejoined Von Glauben. “I was summoned to his presence early this morning, and found him in the fullest health and highest spirits.”
“Why did he send for you then?” enquired De Launay.
“To feel his pulse and look at his tongue! To make a little game of me before he stepped out of his dressing-gown! And I enjoyed it, of course,—one must always enjoy Royal pleasantries! I think, Roger, his Majesty wishes this entire affair treated as a pleasantry,—by us at any rate, however seriously he may regard it himself.”
De Launay was silent for a minute or two, then he said abruptly:
“The Premier is summoned to a private audience of the King at noon.”
“Ah!” And Von Glauben drew a cluster of the overhanging philadelphus flowers down to his nose and smelt them approvingly.
“And”—went on De Launay, speaking more deliberately, “this afternoon their Majesties sail to The Islands——”
Von Glauben jumped excitedly to his feet.
“Not possible!”
Sir Roger looked at him with a dawning amusement beginning to twinkle in his clear blue eyes.