The King did not seem to hear him; he called distractedly for his coat, and walked up and down the splendid little chamber with his head bent.
Sunderland, sick at heart, drew M. de Zulestein aside.
"What is the matter with the King?" he whispered. "I should not have known him——"
"He hath been all day like a man in a confusion," answered the Master of the Robes.
"And to give way," muttered Sunderland. "To concede like any weakling!"
William mechanically took from one of the lords his coat, sword, and hat, and stood still a moment before the chair on which his orders glittered on his robes, like frozen coloured water gleaming in the winter sunlight.
"Is the coach ready?" he asked abruptly.
"Your Majesty," reminded M. de Zulestein, "is to dine in public here to-day——"
"No," said the King, "I will go at once to Kensington House—hasten the coach——"
"But there are a number of people already gathered—it will cause grievous offence——"