-- The King Explains . THE first who recovered his voice and presence of mind was Benson . `` Did your lordship ring for coffee ? '' he asked , quietly ; and when he was told `` Yes , '' he bowed and withdrew , with majestic composure . When he had gone , the prince threw himself at the king 's feet , crying : `` Pardon , pardon , my liege ! '' `` Do n't speak to me , sir ! '' answered the king , very angrily ; and the poor prince threw himself at the feet of the queen . But she took no notice of him whatever , no more than if he had been a fairy ; and the prince heard her murmur , as she pinched her royal arms : `` I shall waken presently ; this is nothing out of the way for a dream . Dr. Rumpfino ascribes it to imperfect nutrition . '' All this time , the Lady Rosalind , as pale as a marble statue , was leaning against the side of the open window . The prince thought he could do nothing wiser than go and comfort her , so he induced her to sit down on a chair in the balcony , -- for he felt that he was not wanted in the drawing-room ; -- and soon they were talking happily about the stars , which had begun to appear in the summer night . Meanwhile , the ambassador had induced the king to take a seat ; but there was no use in talking to the queen . `` It would be a miracle , '' she said to herself , `` and miracles do not happen ; therefore this has not happened . Presently , I shall wake up in my own bed at Falkenstein . '' Now , Benson , William , and Thomas brought in the coffee , but the queen took no notice . When they went away , the rest of the company slipped off quietly , and the king was left alone with the ambassador ; for the queen could hardly be said to count . `` You want to know all about it , I suppose ? '' said his majesty in a sulky voice . `` Well , you have a right to it , and I shall tell you . We were just sitting down to dinner at Falkenstein , rather late , -- hours get later every year , I think -- when I heard a row in the premises , and the captain of the guard , Colonel McDougal , came and told us that a man had arrived with the horns and tail of the Firedrake , and was claiming the reward .
Her majesty and I rose and went into the outer court , where we found , sitting on that carpet XXXXX a glass of beer in his hand , a respectable-looking upper servant , whom I recognised as your butler .
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