‘At all events,’ urged the Emperor, ‘this revolutionary Sadbag, ought to be indicted for wickedly conspiring to undermine my reputation, and thereby bring me into my people’s disfavour.’ ‘What about thy two astronomers, does thy Majesty desire to include them in the indictment?’ ‘Certainly,’ replied the Emperor, ‘did not Mistress Mercia threaten my life with her ebony life-preserver, and hath not Geometrus taken her part?’ ‘Hath thy Majesty fully considered the merits of the case, that it be a sound one; otherwise it had better not be gone into publicly at all. Would it not be far wiser to administer correction to these foolish persons by requiring them to make an apology for their ill-behaviour?’ ‘That they will never do, I am assured! Their looks and language betrayed their evil designs towards me. Get a warrant sent quickly, and put them in prison without delay—even now they may be working me infinite mischief.’ ‘It will come to a trial in that case. What will the nation say? Will the people take thy word in preference to that of Mercia?’ ‘I care not what the people think! I know my own mind: I promised those seditious ones what to expect, and they shall not be disappointed,’ returned the Emperor hotly. ‘As thy Majesty wills it: the warrant shall be made out and served to-morrow. It cannot be done more quickly. In the meantime thy Majesty will have opportunity to sleep upon thy purpose, and if thy mind be changed by morning send a message to that effect, I will keep in readiness for it.’ ‘Count not upon that! There is no other way of dealing with those wretched conspirators,’ replied Felicitas moodily. * * * * * While Felicitas was making his plans with the Prime Minister another member of the Cabinet was listening with astonishment to Geometrus’ story; for Geometrus having travelled to the city in his own electric car made up for lost time by beating the Emperor’s horses in rapidity. Consequently, he arrived at the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or Minister of Finance, about the same moment as Felicitas at the Prime Minister’s. But Geometrus was not as well prepared with his statement as the Emperor. Moreover, he was unaccustomed at seeking audience of great people, and when he was ushered into the reception-hall of Lord Divesdale he felt exceedingly shy, scarcely knowing how to state his errand. ‘My lord,’ said he, and then stopped short, and blushed violently. ‘Pray be seated,’ said the minister in a kindly tone, for he was well acquainted with Geometrus, and had an excellent opinion of him. ‘I have somewhat to tell thy lordship,’ he commenced anew. ‘What is it?’ inquired Divesdale as he sank back in his armchair, in easy attitude. ‘It concerns Mistress Mercia, the Astronomer Royal,’ he managed to utter.