"Do you hear me, sir?"
"Yes, Sir," said I.
"Well—what have you to say?"
He glanced past me towards the door; and I thought again that the guards were in his mind.
"Sir; I have a very great deal to say. But I fear I should offend Your
Majesty."
The King jerked his head impatiently.
"It is of the nature of a defence?"
"Certainly, Sir."
"Say it then. You need one."
I raised my eyes and looked him in the face. He was frowning; and his lips were moving. Evidently he was very angry; and yet he was perplexed, too.