"He has friends, rich and powerful friends."

"No matter, I should pay him."

"Are you quite sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"The face of the world changes in the course of ten years. Will
there be five millions in your treasury ten years hence?"

"The wealth of my kingdom is not to be questioned," proudly,
"nor its resources."

"But in ten years, with the ministers you have?" The Englishman
shrugged doubtfully. "Why have you not formed a new cabinet of
younger men? Why have you retained those of your predecessor,
who are your natural enemies? You have tried and failed."

The expression of weariness returned to the king's face. He knew
that all this was but a preamble to something of deeper
significance. He anticipated what was forming in the other's
mind, but he wished to avoid a verbal declaration. O, he knew
that there was a net of intrigue enmeshing him, but it was so
very fine that he could not pick up the smallest thread whereby
to unravel it. Down in his soul he felt the shame of the
knowledge that he dared not. A dreamer, rushing toward the
precipice, would rather fall dreaming than waken and struggle
futilely.