George had raised her by taking her hand, and now he looked vaguely from her to old Bugbee.
"It is a message. You said a petition," said the King, dubiously, to his banker.
"Your Majesty, I thought—"
"Leave us, Bugbee," interrupted George, with a wave of his hand, not looking at the banker. "Let us hear this fair messenger."
Old Bugbee bowed and backed till he reached the door, hardly knowing whether to be pleased or indignant. He ought to have made the woman explain her plan to him before she entered the King's presence. Now he must wait, while she was free to act as she chose.
When the door closed on the banker Mrs. Carey's whole manner changed. She drew near the King and excitedly laid her hand on his arm.
"Oh, your Majesty! I have come to save you! You are betrayed!"
"Betrayed!" repeated George, trying to grasp the idea, while his little eyes were quite expressionless.
"Betrayed!" sobbed Mrs. Carey, "and all is lost except your Majesty's life and liberty."
"How do you know this? Why does not he know?" and the alarmed George nodded at the door.