'Ah, it is very good of you to say that,' sighed his Majesty, looking highly gratified. 'But I really am old--older than you would suppose; and, if you can believe it, some of my scoundrelly subjects have said (behind my back) that I am growing senile--that is the word the villains use--and they are plotting to dethrone me at ten o'clock to-morrow morning.' 'A conspiracy?' 'Nothing less. It is announced to take place at Drury Lane Theatre, and the house is sold, from pit to gallery.' 'Oh! it is only a play, then?' said Raymond, in a relieved tone. 'I don't know what you mean by a play,' returned the King, looking slightly hurt. 'It takes place on the stage, of course; but it is as much earnest as anything that goes on in London.' 'Certainly--of course,' said Raymond, anxious not to seem ignorant of fashionable customs. 'But whom do the conspirators mean to put on the throne in your stead? Your son?' 'My Assimund, you mean? Well, that is just the point. My son Assimund is a perfectly harmless young fellow, but--in fact--he is rather too much so.' 'Too much so?' 'Yes--he is--as I might say--hum!' And the King tapped his forehead significantly. 'You don't mean------' And Raymond laid his forefinger between his eyes and then shook it in the air. 'Fact, I assure you.' 'Dear me, how sad!' 'So now you see what I am driving at,' added the King more briskly. 'Well, I hardly--that is----' 'Briefly, then, the part of the usurper has not yet been given out. But I have reigned fifty years, and, between you and me, I'm tired of it. This crown of mine'--the King laid his hand upon the diadem he wore--'often gives me a headache. Ah, I see you understand that. You've felt the same yourself?' 'Why, something of the sort, I confess,' said Raymond, settling his yellow cap on his brow. 'Bless you! what monarch has not? But you are young and hearty--you can stand it. So here is my plan: I decline to submit to force, because the precedent would be dangerous; but I am willing to abdicate. That is my counter-move--my rival attraction, as the stage manager would say. But, if it is to succeed, there is no time to be lost; the posters must be got out at once.' 'Yes, I agree with you,' said Raymond, who was now quite bewildered. 'I was sure I might count on your aid. It is settled, then. As soon as we reach town I will arrange with the advertising agent that your name shall appear upon the bills as my successor in the largest type.' 'I?' cried Raymond, jumping up, and almost oversetting the ivory chair. 'Bless me! what's the matter? Who else but you?' Raymond sat down again quite dumb-foundered. He a king! It had been the ambition of his life, but now that it was so near being realised he found himself unprepared. Some kinds of good luck are better to look forward to than to have. However, since it seemed inevitable, Raymond was bound to put a good face upon it. Probably he would have a prime minister to give him some hints at starting.