“explain yourself briefly, quickly, entirely; or, if not — ”

“Nay, do not threaten me, your majesty,” said the Beguine, gently; “I came here to you full of compassion and respect.

I came here on the part of a friend.”

“Prove that to me! Comfort, instead of irritating me.”

“Easily enough, and your majesty will see who is friendly to you. What misfortune has happened to your majesty during these three and twenty years past — ”

“Serious misfortunes, indeed; have I not lost the king?”

“I speak not of misfortunes of that kind. I wish to ask you, if, since the birth of the king, any indiscretion on a friend’s