In fine, she could not tell whether it were indeed the king who spoke to her or his counterfeit.
"Who are you ?" she asked, curt and blunt in her confusion.

The girl broke in with an amused laugh.
"Why, it's the--" She paused.

Perhaps the king's identity was a secret.
Rudolf nodded to her.

"Tell her who I am," said he.
"Why, mother, it's the king," whispered Rosa, laughing and blushing.
"The king, mother." "Ay, if the king's alive, I'm the king," said Rudolf.

I suppose he wanted to find out how much the old woman knew.
She made no answer, but stared up at his face.