Sorais was a dangerous
woman to be mixed up with, either with or without one's consent.
At last the evil moment came, as I saw it must come. One fine
day, Good having gone out hawking, Sir Henry and I were sitting
quietly talking over the situation, especially with reference
to Sorais, when a Court messenger arrived with a written note,
which we with some difficulty deciphered, and which was to the
effect that 'the Queen Sorais commanded the attendance of the
Lord Incubu in her private apartments, whither he would be conducted
by the bearer'.
'Oh my word!' groaned Sir Henry. 'Can't you go instead, old fellow?'
'Not if I know it,' I said with vigour. 'I had rather face a
wounded elephant with a shot-gun. Take care of your own business,
my boy. If you will be so fascinating you must take the consequences.
I would not be in your place for an empire.'
'You remind me of when I was going to be flogged at school and
the other boys came to console me,' he said gloomily. 'What
right has this Queen to command my attendance, I should like
to know? I won't go.'
'But you must; you are one of her officers and bound to obey
her, and she knows it. And after all it will soon be over.'
'That's just what they used to say,' he said again.
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