Page:Roy Norton--The unknown Mr Kent.djvu/184

 "That is just what I was asking, Cousin," airily interjected the chancellor.

"Suppose you stop 'cousining' me," the king said, eyeing him with no attempt to conceal his dislike. "Besides, I don't know what you had been asking. Few people ever do."

With undisguised enjoyment that he had succeeded in exasperating the king, Provarsk smiled and flicked his fingers.

"Oh, tut! tut!" he said. "What I had just remarked was that I thought it very discreet of Mr. Kent to remove himself on such a momentous day. To take to the woods, I might say, lest a storm arise."

The king turned his back and walked toward the door leading out to the hanging balcony, where he stood gazing off toward the city. Not in the least disconcerted, Provarsk added, with mock gravity, "I even told him that affairs were critical and that perhaps the power of the throne itself had been cast on an issue of extreme doubt."

"That must distress you terribly," remarked the king, with a sneer in his voice.

"Ah, good morning, Your Royal Highness," Provarsk said with great heartiness, and the king turned to discover that his sister had entered the room and was now facing Provarsk with a cool stare.

"Karl," she asked, "is it true Mr. Kent still [180]