"I have."
"May I know for what purpose?"
The Queen looked first at her husband, then at the Ambassador, her glance lingering on the latter for a moment.
"I cannot tell you why," she answered slowly. "It was a matter of no great importance, but it was essentially private. I would be unfair to Captain Ellerey to speak of it."
It may have been the flicker of triumph upon the Ambassador's face which urged the King on.
"We expected to find Captain Ellerey still with you."
"The audience was a short one," was the answer.
"I am afraid I must demand to know its purport," said the King. "I do so in your own interests."
"You wish me to deny some accusation Lord Cloverton has made against me. I tremble lest I may be unable to do so. Of what frivolity do I stand accused?" and she smiled at the Ambassador with an innocent expression on her face pleading for lenient judgment.
"Of no frivolity," said the King. "Lord Cloverton has suggested that you have despatched this Captain Ellerey upon some secret mission to the enemies of our country, seeking to do us a service, but in truth jeopardizing our policy of peace, perchance our throne. In substance, my lord, that is your accusation, I think?"