"What was this gross outrage?" she
asked drily.
"In the course of last night he broke into my house with a gang
of wretches, and bore off one of the inmates."
The Queen's smile grew broader; the King began to grin. Some of
the circle, watching them closely, ventured to smile also.
"Come, my friend," Henry said, almost with good humour, "this is
all very well. But this inmate of yours--was a very recent one."
"Was, in fact, I suppose, the rebellious little wench of whom you
knew nothing yesterday!" the Queen cried harshly, and with an
air of open triumph. "There can be no stealing of stolen goods,
sir; and if M. Pimentel, who had at least as much right as you to
the girl--and more, for I am her guardian--has carried her off,
you have small ground to complain,"
"But, Madame," I said, with an air of bewilderment, "I really do
not--it must be my fault, but I do not understand."
Two or three sniggered, seeing me apparently checkmated and at
the end of my resources. And the King laughed out with kindly
malice.
Pages:
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287