ou see, I have lost no time in again presenting
myself before you.'

There was a round of applause at this speech, but neither so long nor
so loud as at that of the King.

'I hope we may not again be parted,' said his Majesty graciously. 'In
fact, I really don't know what I should have done without you.'

Here Yellow-cap felt a gentle pull at his sleeve, and looking round he
saw that Silvia was holding out to him a small slip of paper. He took
it from her, and read the following words which had been written upon
it:--

'A rhyme to King Ormund.'

The King had noticed this transaction, and immediately asked--

'What have you got there?'

'A rhyme to King Ormund,' replied Yellow-cap, repeating the words
which he had read without thinking of the effect they might have upon
his hearer. But the audience took the point immediately, and the
clapping of hands and stamping were this time both loud and long.

And now something happened which Yellow-cap could not at first
understand. The King hummed-and-hah'ed and looked rather embarrassed,
but said nothing, and by and by began searching in his pockets as if
he had mislaid something. The audience saw that something was wrong,
and catcalls and whistling and impertinent remarks were heard from all
parts of the house. The King turned red, and stood first on one foot
and then on another; and at last he muttered between his teeth--

'I'll have that prompter's head cut off!'

'If your Majesty will allow me,' said Silvia, coming forward, 'I can
tell you what comes next.' And she whispered a few words in his ear.

'Ah! of course--of course!' exclaimed the King, looking much relieved.
'I have had hardly any time to study my part; and I hope,' he added,
turning to the audience, 'that you will excuse me.' 'Go it, old boy!'
sang out somebody from the gallery. The King pulled down his ruffles
and went on.

'"A rhyme to King Ormund, eh?" Dear me! Then you are one of the
conspirators?'

'I have that honour,' replied Yellow-cap. 'In fact, I am the chief of
them; and I can, if you like, tell you the names of the others,' he
added, glancing at the Prime Maniac and his companions.

'You must not say that,' said Silvia in a low voice, twitching his
sleeve again; 'it isn't in your part.'

'I shall take my own part,' returned Yellow-cap, loud enough to be
heard all over the theatre, 'and do what I like with it.'

'That's the talk!' called out a man from the pit. 'Give it 'em,
youngs