with the hardworked Emperor at his own house, that would suffice.  But he had felt himself to be ill-used and was offended.  He spoke with bitterness to some of his supporters of the Royal Family generally, because he had not been brought to the front rank either at the breakfast or at the ball,—­and now, at the India Office, was determined to have his due.  But he was not on the list of those whom the Secretary of State intended on this occasion to present to the Brother of the Sun.

He had dined freely.  At this period of his career he had taken to dining freely,—­which was in itself imprudent, as he had need at all hours of his best intelligence.  Let it not be understood that he was tipsy.  He was a man whom...