“He has appointed to meet me at Potsdam. His Majesty never breaks an engagement.”
“Then you will break yours, Prince, and go with me to Milnthorpe,” declared the Parson.
“Yes,” cried Mrs Edmondson; “and we will have no further excuses, will we, Mr Clayton?”
So his Highness was forced to accept, and next day the wily widow returned to Yorkshire to make preparations for the visit which was to shed such social lustre upon her house.
Three.
The Prince and the Parson held several long interviews in the two days that followed, and it was apparent from one meeting which took place, and at which both Mason and Garrett were present, that some clever manoeuvre was intended. The quartette held solemn councils in the Prince’s chambers, and there was much discussion, and considerable laughter.
The latter, it appeared, was in consequence of Max’s recollection of the wonderful record of his Highness at Brooklands.
On the day appointed both Prince and parson, attended by the faithful Charles, left King’s Cross by train for Whitby, Garrett having started alone on the “forty,” with orders to travel by way of Doncaster and York, and arrive at Milnthorpe by noon next day.
The fine old place was, the Prince found, quite a comfortable residence. The widow did the honours gracefully, welcoming her guests warmly.
When the two friends found themselves alone in the Prince’s room, his Highness whispered to the exemplary vicar: