galo had determined to maintain its
prestige among the nations by holding a conversazione of the Arts. In
matters of that sort his Majesty had no particular taste; but in an art
exhibition it was his duty to be interested. If need be he would open
it, and would say of art and of its relations to the national life
anything that the commissioners required of him. He would also lend any
pictures from the royal collection which did not leave too obvious a gap
upon the walls. All this was a mere matter of course; but the occasion
being important--one of the great events indeed of the Jubilee
festivities--it was expected of him that he should give a rather special
consideration to the final plans.

Though wearied by the circumlocutions of his Council which had lasted
throughout the morning, he named an hour, and at six o'clock received
his minister in private audience.

The Professor began to explain matters in the usual official tone, but
before long perceived that the attention paid to him was merely formal.
The King sat depressed, listless, and cold. This renewal of the official
routine found him mentally fagged out; it was evident that his thoughts
were elsewhere.

Making the matter as short as he could in decency, the Professor folded
his memoranda and returned them to his pocket.

Recalled to himself by the ensuing silence the King spoke--

"I really don't know enough about it to say anything," he murmured. "No
doubt you have arranged everything for the best." But still he remained
seated as though the interview were not ended, and the minister had
perforce to remain seated also.

"I fear that to-day we have wearied your Majesty," he said at last to
fill up the pause. "The Council is sometimes very trying."

The King lifted forlorn eyes in a sort of gratitude upon this, the least
troublesome of all his ministers. "You, at least," he answered, "have
not to reproach yourself, for I noticed that you did not speak."

"I was listening," answered the Professor; "I was much struck by your
Majesty's line of argument."

"You agreed?"

"I cannot separate myself from my colleagues," returned the minister
cautiously; "but I recognized the strength of your Majesty's case. On
its own premises, if well put, it becomes unanswerable."

"I hardly thought that I had put it well." The King's voice showed
despondency.

"To be perfectly frank, sir," said the Professor, tempering the amiable
twinkle of his gaze with a deferenti