Half ashamed of his recent outburst, half-anxious to justify it to himself, he cried fretfully: "Business! Yes, any business is a good enough excuse for leaving me! By Heaven, I wonder if a king was ever served so badly as I am! Why did you trouble to get me out of Zenda?
Nobody wants me, nobody cares whether I live or die." To reason with such a mood was impossible.

I could only assure him that I would hasten my return by all possible means.
"Yes, pray do," said he.

"I want somebody to look after me.

Who knows what that villain Rupert may attempt against me?
And I can't defend myself can I?
I'm not Rudolf Rassendyll, am I ?" Thus, with a mixture of plaintiveness and malice, he scolded me.

At last I stood silent, waiting till he should be pleased to dismiss me.