Chapter XXVI.

Disowned.

The King sat musing a few moments, then looked up and said—

“’Tis strange—most strange. I cannot account for it.”

“No, it is not strange, my liege. I know him, and this conduct is but natural. He was a rascal from his birth.”

“Oh, I spake not of him, Sir Miles.”

“Not of him? Then of what? What is it that is strange?”