Pray, let me know your business here--I assume
it is business--and get it ended quickly. I will expedite it all I
may. Anything, to be rid of you and that popinjay in red beside you."
"Your husband, madame," the King observed.
"Aye, my husband, for a time," she answered.
"Aye, Mrs. Spencer, your husband for a time--for a purpose--and for a
consideration."
She opened her eyes wide.
"Indeed!" she laughed. "I thought the acting was over, Sire."
Frederick's manner changed.
"It is," he said sharply. "We will come to the point. Have you ink
and pen?"
"Is that what you came for?" she sneered. "Have you none at the
Palace?"
"Quite enough to sign an order within an hour for your incarceration if
you continue obdurate," he answered.
"A kingly threat, truly," she mocked. "And, what if I be not obdurate?"
"Then it will be an order permitting you to leave Valeria at once."
"Now, Your Majesty interests me," she said. "I have been waiting for
that a month and more. What is the price for this order?"
"Simply the truth, madame," said the King.
"Sometimes, the truth is the highest price one can pay," she answered.
"It will be very easy here," he said.
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