"Sir; that is not nearly all; but I will miss out a few points, and come to my peroration. My peroration would be after this fashion. Such, I would say, is the charge against one who has been of service to His Majesty; and such is the Court (as I have described) of that same King. There is not a Court in Europe that has a Prince so noble as our own can be, of better parts, or of higher ambitions, or of so pure a blood. And there is no Prince who is served so poorly; no Court that so stinks in the nostrils of God and man, as does his. He is capable," I cried (for by now I was lost to all consideration for myself; my loyalty and love for him had come to the aid of my anger; and I saw that never again should I have such an opportunity of speaking my mind), "He is capable of as great achievements, as any Prince that has gone before him; for he has already won back the throne which his fathers lost. Would it be of service, I would say, to such a Prince as this, to punish a man who would lay down his life for him to give him even a moment's pleasure; and to let go scot-free men and women who have never done anything but injure him?" I ceased; breathless, yet triumphing; for I knew that I had held His Majesty with my words. How he would take it, when he recovered, I did not know: nor did I greatly care. I had spoken my mind to him at last; and what I had said was no more than my conviction. That blessed gift of anger had done the rest: and, having done its work, retired again to chaos; and left me clear-headed and master of myself. When I looked at him he was motionless. He was still very pale, but the terrible brightness of his eyes was gone. Then he roused himself to sneer; but I did not care for that; for there was no other way for him just then, consonant with his own dignity. "Very admirably preached!" said he; "even if a trifle treasonous." "I am pleased Your Majesty is satisfied," I said, with a little bow. Then he broke down altogether, in the only way that he could; he gave a great spirt of laughter; then he leaned back and laughed till the tears ran down. Presently he was quieter. "Oddsfish!" he cried, "this is a turning of tables indeed! I sent for you, Mr. Mallock--" The door opened softly behind me; and a man put his head in. "Go away! go away!" cried the King. "Cannot you see I am being preached to?" The door closed again. "I sent for you, Mr. Mallock, to reprimand you very severely. And instead of that it is you who have held the whip. Little Ken is nothing to it: you should have been a Bishop, Mr. Mallock." Again he spirted with laughter. Then he drew himself up in his chair a little; and became more grave.