“Yes, I will come,” he said, with a gentleness that Count Piper was not expecting.
“And give your mind to the business in hand?” added the councilor, for he could recollect council meetings when Karl had sat in an aloof silence commonly attributed to a haughty stupidity, with his feet on the table and his hands in his pockets.
Karl slowly turned his fine head and looked at his friend.
“You are very kind to me,” he remarked gravely.
“Your Majesty is not just to yourself,” replied the Count.
An expression of bewilderment crossed the King’s face; he put his strong, blood-stained hand to his forehead.
“I am drunk,” he said.
Count Piper could not repress a movement of impatience.
“Yes, your Majesty is drunk,” he replied, “and at this moment three Kingdoms are in league against you—to deprive you of all you have.”
There was no response in the attitude or expression of the King.