Prime Minister hastened to
reassure.

"Your Majesty's powers," said he, "are in no way touched. At no single
point of our proposals is any limitation suggested."

"Oh, I daresay not, I daresay not!" replied the King, "but though it
isn't there in the text it is between the lines; yes, written with
invisible ink which will be plain enough to read presently. What I am
thinking about is the future. You may be perfectly right as to the
wisdom of change; but we must have chapter and verse for it. We can't
treat these matters any longer as an affair of honor. It used to be: now
it isn't. Honor to-day is not a help but an impediment; I've found that
out. To me it has lately become a question--a very grave
question--whether I can in honor accept the advice of my ministers; and
I do not intend to leave so disquieting a problem for my son to solve
after me. There, now you have it!"

The King panted a little as he spoke, like a dog that has begun to feel
the pace of a motor-car too much for him.

"I'm sorry that your Majesty has found any reason to complain," said the
Prime Minister in a tone of grieved considerateness.

"I am not complaining," answered the King, "I'm only saying. And what I
say is, let us have chapter and verse for it from beginning to end.
Define the powers of the Crown as they exist to-day--but as they won't
exist to-morrow unless you do--and your proposals shall have my most
sympathetic consideration; but not otherwise."

"Surely the question your Majesty raises," interrupted the Prime
Minister, "is an entirely separate one."

"No doubt you would treat it so," replied the King. "Oh, yes--break your
sticks one at a time as the wise man did in the fable!"

A breath of protest blew round the Council board. What would he be
accusing them of next?

"I daresay you don't mean it," he went on; "but it will be said, at some
future day, that you did. And either you do mean it, or you don't; so if
you don't what can be your objection to having it put down in black and
white? I'm sure I have none. I have got everything written out here
ready and waiting." And the King fingered his manuscript feverishly.

"One very obvious objection," interposed the Prime Minister in alarm,
"is that there is no demand for it in the country. No political
situation has arisen--the matter is not in controversy."

"You must pardon me," said the King, "we are in controversy now. Though
the country knows nothing about it, my positi