The passion was gone from his face as he looked down on me there; and he was, as before, the great Prince, with his easy manner and his unimaginable charm.
"Why that is very well said," he answered me. "And I shall be glad to have your services, Mr. Mallock. Mr. Chiffinch will give you all instructions."
* * * * *
"That was a very bold speech," said Mr. Chiffinch presently, when the
King was gone away again—"which you made to His Majesty."
"Why, did you hear it?" I cried.
He smiled at me.
"Why, yes," he said. "I was behind the open door just within the further chamber. I was not sure of you, Mr. Mallock, neither was the King for that matter."
"Sure of me?"
"I thought perhaps we might have a real threatener of the King's life, at last," he said. "You had a very wild look when you came in, Mr. Mallock."
"Yet His Majesty came; and unarmed!" I cried: "and as happy as—as a
King!"