human
You are the best girl in the world, Jaqueline, said Ricardo.
gpt
You may give me a kiss if you like; and I won't call you 'Jack,' or laugh at you for reading books, any more. There's something in books after all.
human
I say, though, he said,
gpt
The king need never be told anything about it, said Jaqueline,
human
Oh, that won't do! I tell my father everything; but then, I never had anything like this to tell him before. Don't you think, Jaqueline, you might break it to him? He's very fond of you. Just tell him what I told you; it's every word of it true, and he ought to know. He might see something about it in the _Mercure de France_.
gpt
I don't think it will get into the papers, said Jaqueline, smiling.
human
Nobody could tell, except the king and the princes, and they have reasons for keeping it to themselves.
gpt
I don't trust that younger one, said Dick, moodily;
human
I don't care for that young man. Anyway, my father _must_ be told; and, if you won't, I must.
gpt
Well, I'll tell him, said Jaqueline.
human
And now lie down till evening.
gpt
What extraordinary bad luck that family has! he thought.
human
If I had not changed the rug, the merest accident, Prince Charles would have dined at St. James's to-night, and King George in Hanover. It was the very nearest thing!
gpt
This meddling with practical affairs will never do,
human
Dick has had a lesson, sire, said the princess.
gpt
He says he'll never mix himself up with politics again, whatever happens. And he says he means to study all about them, for he feels frightfully ignorant, and, above all, he means to practise his fencing.
human
That is well, as far as it goes, said the king.
gpt
But, Jaqueline, about that mosquito? for she had told him this part of the adventure.
human
That was a very convenient mosquito, though I don't know how Dick was able to observe it from any distance. I see _your_ hand in that, my dear, and I am glad you can make such kind and wise use of the lessons of the good Fairy Paribanou. Jaqueline, he added solemnly, laying his hand on her head,
gpt
You have saved the honour of Pantouflia, which is dearer to me than life. Without your help, I tremble to think what might have occurred.
human
Now run away to the queen, my dear, said his Majesty,
gpt
I want to think things over.
human
An eclipse one day, as nearly as possible a revolution soon after! he said to himself.
gpt
But for Jaqueline, Ricardo's conduct would have been blazed abroad, England would have been irritated. It is true she cannot get at Pantouflia very easily; we have no sea-coast, and we are surrounded by friendly countries. But it would have been a ticklish and discreditable position. I must really speak to Dick,
human
You have broken my rules, Ricardo, he said.
gpt
True, there is no great harm done, and you have confessed frankly; but how am I to trust you any longer?
human
I'll give you my sacred word of honour, father, that I'll never meddle with politics again, or start on an expedition, without telling you. I have had enough of it. And I'll turn over a new leaf. I've learned to be ashamed of my ignorance; and I've sent for Francalanza, and I'll fence every day, and read like anything.
gpt
Very good, said the king.
human
I believe you mean what you say. Now go to your fencing lesson.
gpt
But, I say, father, cried Ricardo,
human
I told you not to trust to these things, said the king.
gpt
Some enchanter may have deprived it of its power, it may be worn out, someone may have substituted a common Persian rug; anything may happen. You _must_ learn to depend on yourself. Now, be off with you, I'm busy. And remember, you don't stir without my permission.
human
There is one brute I wish I could get upsides with,
gpt
Really, Ricardo, your language is most unprincely, said his august father;
human
I am always noticing it. You mean, I suppose, that there is one enemy of the human race whom you wish to abolish. What is the name of the doomed foe?
gpt
Well, he is the greatest villain in history, said Ricardo.
human
You must have read about him, sir, the Yellow Dwarf.
gpt
Yes, I have certainly studied what is told us about him, said the king.
human
He is no favourite of mine.
gpt
He is the only one, if you notice, sir, of all the scoundrels about whom our ancestors inform us, who escaped the doom which he richly merited at the sword of a good knight.
human
If you remember, sir, he polished off--I mean, he slew--the King of the Golden Mines and the beautiful, though frivolous, Princess Frutilla. All that the friendly Mermaid could do for them was to turn them into a pair of beautiful trees which intertwine their branches. Not much use in _that_, sir! And nothing was done to the scoundrel. He may be going on still; and, with your leave, I'll go and try a sword-thrust with him. Francalanza says I'm improving uncommon.
gpt
You'll take the usual Sword of Sharpness,
human
What, sir, to a dwarf? Not I, indeed: a common small sword is good enough to settle _him_.
gpt
They say he is very cunning of fence, said the king;
human
Very likely he has lost it or sold it, the shabby little miscreant; however, I'll risk it. And now I must make my preparations.