Disowned.

The King sat musing a few moments, then looked up and said —

“’Tis strange — most strange. I cannot account for it.”

“No, it is not strange, my liege. I know him, and this conduct is but natural. He was a rascal from his birth.”

“Oh, I spake not of him, Sir Miles.”

“Not of him? Then of what? What is it that is strange?”

“That the King is not missed.”

“How? Which? I doubt I do not understand.”

“Indeed? Doth it not strike you as being passing strange that the land is not filled