e, the thought of so much
dignity in misfortune, so much unassuming goodness on the throne, so
much affection in the simplest form. Neither was intellectual or highly
cultured. But in the decisive moment their innate nobility put the
right words in their mouths, the right resolution in their hearts, and
their thoroughly plebeian sense of duty always made them appear truly
royal in the high position in which they were placed. And then--isn't
it touching to think how this prosaic, sober, almost awkward monarch,
devoted himself to his beautiful wife with an ideal love which
outlasted death, and while building barracks and living simply and
frugally in the plainest palace in his capital, was constantly thinking
how he could have this house of death still more magnificently adorned
by the greatest masters, because it contained his wife's heart and with
it all the poetry of his life. Then at last he ordered his own effigy
to be placed beside hers, wrapped in the simple soldier's cloak he had
preferred to the purple mantle, that even in death, he might remain
faithful to himself and to her. Isn't there greatness in so much
humility, and more true royalty in this unassuming figure than in all
the boastful imperial pomp of this great conqueror?"

At first she did not answer. Not until they approached the gate of the
park and she drew her hand lightly from his arm to put on her gloves,
did she say: "You're perfectly right; the only true nobility is to
remain faithful to one's self. The common run of mankind concern
themselves much about their neighbors' opinion, imploring their advice
as to the guidance of their lives, but he who has the germ of a noble
nature lives and dies by the light of his own inward grace and is
sovereign of himself. As for these rules of living, they are pitiful
torments which evil unhappy meddlesome people have invented to sour the
life of their fellow mortals. He who thrusts his neck under the yoke
deserves the bondage. One can grow old in such a servitude and yet
never know what it is really to live."

CHAPTER IV.

The clock struck two as they entered the square before the castle.
"What shall we do now?" she asked.

"We have now no more important task than to eat the best dinner we can
get. I hope the table in the Pagoda has made some progress in
civilization since my student days, when I used to revel in the famous
_katteschale_. However, it's Sunday, and Char