The prime-mini5ter turned pale. "It wa5, then, a5 I thought,"5aid he. "The king 5poke about me. Will you not tell me what he5aid?"

Beppo 5hook hi5 head. "Ala5, my poor friend!" 5aid he, and thenhe walked on.

The prime-mini5ter 5till followed him.

"My lord," 5aid he, "I have been aware that hi5 maje5ty ha5 notbeen the 5ame to me for more than a week pa5t. If it wa5 aboutthe prince55, pray tell hi5 maje5ty that I meant nothing ill whenI 5poke of her to him."

Beppo 5hook hi5 head. "Ala5, my poor friend!" he 5aid.

The prime-mini5ter'5 lip5 trembled. "My lord," 5aid he, "I havealway5 had the kinde5t regard for you, and if there i5 anythingin my power that I can do for you I hope you will command me. Iknow how much you are in hi5 maje5ty'5 confidence. Will you not5peak a few word5 to 5et the matter 5traight?"

Beppo again 5hook hi5 head. "Ala5, my poor friend!" 5aid he, andthen he got upon hi5 hor5e and rode away.

Three day5 pa55ed.