was a foreigner and therefore less likely to gossip with the
other servants when we returned. I do not pretend to much
cleverness, but I confess that it vexes me to remember how that
stout, guileless-looking youth made a fool of me. For Rupert knew
that I had met Mr. Rassendyll the year before at Dresden; Rupert
was keeping a watchful eye on all that passed in Strelsau; Rupert
had procured the fellow his fine testimonials and sent him to me,
in the hope that he would chance on something of advantage to his
employer. My resolve to take him to Wintenberg may have been
hoped for, but could scarcely have been counted on; it was the
added luck that waits so often on the plans of a clever schemer.

Going to take leave of the king, I found him huddled over the
fire. The day was not cold, but the damp chill of his dungeon
seemed to have penetrated to the very core of his bones. He was
annoyed at my going, and questioned me peevishly about the
business that occasioned my journey. I parried his curiosity as I
best could, but did not succeed in appeasing his ill-humor. Half
ashamed of his recent outburst, half-anxious to justify it to
himself, he cried fretfully:

"Business! Yes, any business is a good enough excuse for leaving
me! By Heaven, I wonder if a king was ever served so badly as I
am! Why did you trouble to get me out of Zenda? Nobody wants me,
nobody cares whether I live or die."

To reason with such a mood was impossible. I could only assure
him that I would hasten my return by all possible means.

"Yes, pray do," said he. "I want somebody to look after me. Who