turned away and mingled in the
crowd that walked to and fro.

The King sat some while silent, lazily pulling the dog's coat with his
fingers. Then he looked up at me.

"Wild talk, Mr Dale," said he, "yet perhaps not all without a meaning."

"There's meaning enough, Sir. It's not that I miss."

"No, but perhaps you do. I have made many bargains; you don't praise all
of them?"

"It's not for me to judge the King's actions."

"I wish every man were as charitable, or as dutiful. But--shall I empty
my basket? You know of some of my bargains. The basket is not emptied
yet."

I looked full in his face; he did not avoid my regard, but sat there
smiling in a bitter amusement.

"You are the man of reservations," said he. "I remember them. Be at
peace and hold your place. For listen to me, Mr Dale."

"I am listening to your Majesty's words."

"It will be time enough for you to open your mouth when I empty my
basket."

His words, and even more the tone in which he spoke and the significant
glance of his eyes, declared his meaning. The bargain that I knew of I
need not betray nor denounce till he fulfilled it. When would he fulfil
it? He would not empty his basket, but still have something to give when
he dealt with the King of France. I wondered that he should speak to me
so openly; he knew that I wondered, yet, though his smile was bitter, he
smiled still.

I bowed to him and answered:

"I am no talker, Sir, of matters too great for me."

"That's well. I know you for a gentleman of great discretion, and I
desire to serve you. You have something to ask of me, Mr Dale?"

"The smallest thing in the world for your Majesty, and the greatest for
me."

"A pattern then that I wish all requests might follow. Let me hear it."

"It is no more than your Majesty's favour for my efforts to win the
woman whom I love."

He started a little, and for the first time in all the conversation
ceased to fondle the little dog.

"The woman whom you love? Well, sir, and does she love you?"

"She has told me so, Sir."

"Then at least she wished you to believe it. Do I know this lady?"

"Very well, sir," I answered in a very significant tone.

He was visibly perturbed. A man come to his years will see a ready rival
in every youth, however little other attraction there may be. But
perhaps I had treated him too freely already; and now he used me well. I
would keep up the jest no longer.

"Once, Sir," I said, "for a while I loved