"Nonsense!" said the Queen, "I never do anything of the kind."
But this statement corresponded so startlingly to his Majesty's own experience that he began to pay closer attention.
"When have I done it?" demanded the Queen.
"The last time was when you sent me to spend three weeks with Aunt Sophie in order to develop a taste for foreign missions. It didn't succeed. And when I came back you had changed my suite of rooms without asking me; and I was done out of my balcony!"
"I found her," the Queen explained, "going down by the balcony in the early morning, while the gardeners were still about, to gather flowers."
"You see!" appealed Charlotte, "she does vivisect me. Last time Aunt Sophie was the anesthetic: sometimes it's even worse. You don't hear of these things, papa, because I don't often complain; but there they are. And mamma is so pleased with herself about it--that's what tries me!"
"Charlotte," said her father, "that's not pretty--that's not respectful."
The Queen attempted a diversion. "Why do you want an allowance? I give you pocket-money, and you get all the dresses you need."
"I get a great many more," admitted Charlotte; "but I don't get one that I really like."
"Of course, I haven't your taste, mamma, you can't expect it; and what's too good for me doesn't suit me."
But this obliquity of speech missed its point, for of her own taste the Queen had no doubt whatever.
"But, my dear child," interposed the King, "do try to be reasonable! Whatever allowance we made you, you couldn't go on giving a hundred pounds to every charity. You'd have all the benevolent societies in the kingdom flocking about you; life wouldn't be worth living."
"Oh, I know that, papa," said the Princess, "I'm not charitable in the least. I'm only doing it to bring pressure on you; I haven't any other reason whatever."
At this brazen avowal the Queen gasped; but his Majesty became more sympathetic.
"I wanted," she went on, "to do it as nicely and respectably as possible, and I thought to give you away in charity was better than gambling or anything of that sort. Not that I haven't been tempted; for you know, papa, I could quite easily lose you a hundred pounds at every tea-party I go to. But now, if I'm asked to a bridge-table, all I can say is, 'Papa won't make me an allowance, so I can't play for money.'"