But he never complained,
and only slowly got tired. "Thank God!" he said, gently, "it's all over
now. My dear, you must be monstrous tired; and scarcely a bit to eat all
day. But I locked some in the seat-box this morning--no trusting anybody
but oneself. Let us get into the coach and have at them." "Ja, ja,
meinherr," said the Queen.
"If it please your Majesties"--a clear voice entered between the
bonnet-hoods of the curtains--"here are the ladies whose attendance I
was ordered to require."
"Ladies!--what ladies?" asked King George, rubbing his eyes, and
yawning. "Oh yes, to be sure! I mustn't get up so early to-morrow. Won't
take a minute, my dear. Let them come. Not much time to spare."
But as soon as he saw Lady Scudamore, the King's good-nature overcame
the weariness of the moment. He took her kindly by the hand, and looked
at her face, which bore the mark of many heavy trials; and she, who had
often seen him when the world was bright before her, could not smother
one low sob, as she thought of all that had been since.
"Don't cry, don't cry, my dear," said the King, with his kind heart
showing in his eyes; "we must bow to the will of the Lord, who gives sad
trials to every one of us. We must think of the good, and not the evil.
Bless me, keep your spirits up. Your son is doing very well indeed,
very well indeed, from all I hear. Good chip of the old block, very good
chip. Will cure my grandchildren, as soon as they want it; and nobody is
ever in good health now.
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