ven's sake, Good, don't go on talking
about it, but _kiss_ her and let's all go to sleep!' That choked
him off, and we had no more serenading.

The whole thing formed a laughable incident in a tragic business.
How deeply thankful we ought to be that even the most serious
matters have generally a silver lining about them in the shape
of a joke, if only people could see it. The sense of humour
is a very valuable possession in life, and ought to be cultivated
in the Board schools -- especially in Scotland.

Well, the more Sir Henry held off the more Sorais came on, as
is not uncommon in such cases, till at last things got very queer
indeed. Evidently she was, by some strange perversity of mind,
quite blinded to the true state of the case; and I, for one,
greatly dreaded the moment of her awakening. Sorais was a dangerous
woman to be mixed up with, either with or without one's consent.
At last the evil moment came, as I saw it must come. One fine
day, Good having gone out hawking, Sir Henry and I were sitting
quietly talking over the situation, especially with reference
to Sorais, when a Court messenger arrived with a written note,
which we with some difficulty deciphered, and which was to the
effect that 'the Queen Sorais commanded the attendance of the
Lord Incubu in her private apartments, whither he would be conducted
by the bearer'.

'Oh my word!' groaned Sir Henry. 'Can't you go instead, old fellow?'

'Not if I know it,' I said with vigour. 'I had rather face a
wounded elephant with a shot-gun. Take care of your own business,
my boy. If you will be so fascinating you must take the consequences.
I would not be in your place for an empire.'

'You remind me of when I was going to be flogged at school and
the other boys came to console me,' he said gloomily. 'What
right has this Queen to command my attendance, I should like
to know? I won't go.'

'But you must; you are one of her officers and bound to obey
her, and she knows it. And after all it will soon be over.'

'That's just what they used to say,' he said again. 'I only
hope she won't put a knife into me. I believe that she is quite
capable of it.' And off he started very faintheartedly,
and no wonder.

I sat and waited, and at the end of about forty-five minutes
he returned, looking a good deal worse than when he went.

'Give me something to drink,' he said hoarsely.

I got him a cup of wine, and asked what was the matter.

'What is th