And so the crowd showed her the way, some going in front and some
following; but all so anxious to see her that they stumbled over each
other's legs.
But at last they came to the palace, and the crowd opened to make way
for her. To tell the truth, they seemed rather afraid to enter, but the
Queen marched in boldly enough till she came to a great hall. Long
before she had time to make out what it was like, an enormous voice
shouted--
"Who the dickens are you?"
And, looking at the throne, she could make out an enormous,
black-bearded man seated thereon. He was a great deal more ugly than the
Regent at home had been, and his red eyes twinkled underneath black,
shaggy brows, like rubies in a cavern.
"Who are you?" he shouted.
And whilst his fearful voice echoed down the great dark hall, the Queen
answered--
"If you won't tremble, I'll tell you."
The King gave a tremendous roar of laughter. "Ho, what a joke!" he said,
and, to enforce it, he punched in the ribs the chamberlain who stood at
his right hand, and that so violently that the wretched man rolled down
the throne steps, taking care to laugh vigorously the whole time, until
the King roared, "Be quiet, you idiot!" when the chamberlain at once
grew silent. Then the King said, somewhat more softly, "I'll try very
hard not to tremble; but if I'm very frightened you won't mind, I hope."
And all the courtiers laughed so loud and long at the King's sarcasm,
that the Queen had some difficulty in making herself heard.
Then she said, "I am Eldrida, by the grace of God Queen of the
Narrowlands and all the Isles."
The King really did seem a little startled.
"What in the world do you want here, then?" he said, and his red eyes
glowed again.
"I want something to eat," the Queen said.
The King seemed lost in thought. "Your Majesty shall have something
if----"
"If what?" the Queen asked.
"If you will marry me," the King said in a tone that was meant to be
sweet; but it rather reminded the Queen of a bull she had once heard
grumbling angrily.