"Well," said the King, "you may fix your own date within reason." "I can fix no date, your Majesty." That was flat, and the monarch could not help showing his annoyance. "If you think that that answer satisfies me," he said, "you are mistaken." "I fear," replied the Prime Minister, "that it is often my duty to give your Majesty dissatisfaction." "Well, well," said the King, "we shall see!" He had drawn out of his pocket a small shard and was toying with it as he spoke. "By the way," he said, considerately changing the subject, "I was at the Prefecture this morning; I took the Prince to see the museum." "So I was informed, sir." The Prime Minister showed no discomposure; his demeanor was wholly urbane and conciliatory. "I brought away with me a small memento," went on the King. "I was told of that too, sir," replied the Premier, smiling. "It was a little irregular; but if your Majesty wishes for it I do not think there can be any real objection." "Really," thought the King to himself, "is he going to pretend that he knows nothing about it?" Yet the good face which his minister put upon the matter did not fail to win the King's admiration; he respected the man's courage and ability to brazen the thing out. The Superintendent, he judged, was not actually in the secret; but of the Premier he was now quite sure. That air of calm was just a little bit overdone. "I suppose he thinks that I can't do anything," mused the King. "Well, well, we shall see." And then he inquired whether the Prime Minister had interviewed Prince Max. "I have not, sir; but I have seen the Archbishop." "You have been talking to the Archbishop about it?" cried the King sharply. "At great length, sir," replied the Prime Minister. "Then I must say that you have taken a most unwarranted liberty! You have gone entirely beyond and behind my authority. No, it is no use for you to protest, Mr. Premier; I did consent that you should speak to the Prince; but beyond that--until it had been thoroughly discussed with him--what I communicated to you was entirely confidential and private." "An affair of such importance, sir, cannot possibly be private." "It can have its private preliminaries--otherwise where would be diplomacy?" "The Prince might any day have taken overt action--he might even have announced the engagement." "He might, but he did not! And without even seeing him you have been behind his back and discussed it with the Archbishop! And pray, with what result?" "At present, sir, I am not in a position to say, but I have good hopes. We are still in correspondence. I assure your Majesty that my conscience is clear in the matter."