I told him, Yes: no more.
"And what if His Majesty will not see you?" he asked, trying me.
"His Majesty will see me," I said. "I have something for him."
Again he hesitated. I think for a minute or two he thought it might be a pistol or a knife that I had for the King.
"If I bring you to him," he said, "will you give me your word to remain here till I come for you?"
"Yes; I will do that," I said. "But I must see him immediately."
"Well—" said Mr. Chiffinch. And then without a word he wheeled and went out of the room.
I do not know how long I sat there; but it may have been half an hour. I sat like a dazed man; for I had had no sleep, and what I had seen drove away all desire for it. I sat there, staring, and pondering round and round in circles, like a wheel turning. Now it was of Dorothy; now of the Jesuits; now of His Majesty and Mr. Chiffinch; now again, of the road to Dover, and of what I should do in France.
There came at last a step on the stairs, and Mr. Chiffinch came in. At the door he turned, and took from a man in the passage, as I suppose, a covered dish, with a spoon in it. Then he shut the door with his heel, and came forward and set the dish down.
"Dinner first—" he said.