“As I have informed Your Majesty on previous occasions,” the Prime Minister answered, “my Government had no alternative but to enforce the laws that you object to.”
“My objections certainly pass unheeded,” the King said in a disagreeable tone.
The Prime Minister seemed about to answer him equally angrily. Then with an effort he changed his mind and said to Xenia,
“We asked Your Royal Highness to come here because, as I have said, it is important to take the people’s minds off their imaginary grievances.”
Xenia thought that the King was once again ready to interrupt at the word ‘imaginary’, but he merely threw himself back in his chair with the sulky attitude he had adopted in the carriage when they drove from the station.
“What are you suggesting I could do?” Xenia asked.
“I am arran
