But I was taking a walk in the moonlight , on the balcony , and I observed it carefully . '' `` Observed what , my dear ? '' asked the queen , who was pouring out the tea . `` Did n't you see it , Dick ? Late as usual , you young dog ! '' the king remarked as Ricardo entered the room . `` See what , sir ? '' said Dick . `` Oh , you were asleep hours before , now I think of it ! But it was the most extraordinary thing , an unpredicted eclipse of the moon ! You must have noticed it , Jaqueline ; you sat up later . How the dogs howled ! '' `` No ; I mean yes , '' murmured poor Jaqueline , who of course had caused the whole affair by her magic arts , but who had forgotten , in the excitement of the moment , that an eclipse of the moon , especially if entirely unexpected , is likely to attract very general attention . Jaqueline could not bear to tell a fib , especially to a king who had been so kind to her ; besides , fibbing would not alter the facts . `` Yes , I did see it , '' she admitted , blushing . `` Had it not been predicted ? '' `` Not a word about it whispered anywhere , '' said his Majesty . `` I looked up the almanack at once . It is the most extraordinary thing I ever saw , and I 've seen a good many . '' `` The astronomers must be duffers , '' said Prince Ricardo .
`` I never thought there was much in physical science XXXXX any sort ; most dreary stuff .
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