_was_ a trifle on the
damp side, and it amused me to talk to her, but I never said a word to
her that could--till her old Dad suddenly turned up and insisted on our
being regularly engaged."

"And you gave way? Oh, Clarence, how _could_ you be so weak?"

"I told him I'd see him blowed before I said yes, and he pulled me in
and threatened to hold my head under water till I promised," said
Clarence. "I didn't see any point in being drowned--and so--and so,
sooner than have a row about it, I _did_ say yes. What else _could_ I
say?"

"Well," said the Queen, "no engagement made under such circumstances can
be binding, and you must break it off at once. Go and tell him that
your Father and I refuse to hear of your engagement."

"It'll make him most awful ratty if I do," objected Clarence.

"What if it does? Clarence, you _must_ get free. I'm extremely anxious
that you should marry Miss Heritage before Mirliflor returns (if he
_does_ return) for her. It's most important, for your Sister's sake.
Because, when he finds himself forsaken, he is sure to turn to Edna
again. _Now_ do you see?"

"I see," he replied lugubriously, "and I don't mind going to the Lake
and trying to get the old boy to let me off--but I bet you he won't."

"Don't ask him anything. Simply inform him that your parents decline to
allow such a match, and refer him to _us_."

"Perhaps that _would_ be the neatest way out of it," he agreed. "Yes,
I'll just tell him _that_--from a safe distance--and he can do what he
jolly well pleases. But it won't be a pleasant job. What?"

It was some miles to the Crystal Lake, but he went on foot without any
member of his suite in attendance, and in a plain cloak and slouched
hat, which prevented him from being recognised as he passed through the
streets of the Capital.

During his absence his Mother was engaged in long and anxious
consultation with the King and Edna. "I'm surprised at Clarence," King
Sidney had observed, "thought he knew his way about too well to be drawn
into an entanglement of this kind!"

"He never would have been," said his mother, "if he hadn't had to choose
between that and being held under water. And you can trust Clarence to
make it clear that he would not be allowed to keep such a promise, even
if he wanted to."

"If he marries any one," said the King, "it ought to be this Princess of
Goldenenbergenland--he'll get money with _her_, and we want some rather
badly."

"Pardon me, Sidney,"