se would have thought overdone.

"He is a little slow, isn't he, that young man?" said the King, as
they sat down together. "I mean he didn't seem to understand--"

"He's such a devoted lover, your Majesty. He can't bear to be out of
my sight for a moment."

"Oh, Belvane, this is a sad homecoming. For month after month I have
been fighting and toiling, and planning and plotting and then---- Oh,
Belvane, we were all so happy together before the war."

Belvane remembered that once she and the Princess and Wiggs had been
so happy together, and that Udo's arrival had threatened to upset it
all. One way and another, Udo had been a disturbing element in
Euralia. But it would not do to let him go just yet.

"Aren't we still happy together?" she asked innocently. "There's her
Royal Highness with her young Duke, and I have my dear Udo, and your
Majesty has the--the Lord Chancellor--and all your Majesty's faithful
subjects."

His Majesty gave a deep sigh.

[Illustration: _Belvane leading the way with her finger to her lips_]

[Illustration: _Merriwig following with an exaggerated caution_]

"I am a very lonely man, Belvane. When Hyacinth leaves me I shall
have nobody left."

Belvane decided to risk it.

"Your Majesty should marry again," she said gently.

He looked unutterable things at her. He opened his mouth with the
intention of doing his best to utter some of them, when----

"Not before Udo," said Belvane softly.

Merriwig got up indignantly and scowled at the Prince as the latter
hurried over the lawn towards them.

"Well, really," said Merriwig, "I never knew such a place. One simply
can't---- Ah, your Royal Highness, have you seen our armoury? I
should say," he corrected himself as he caught Belvane's reproachful
look, "have _we_ seen our armoury? We have. Her ladyship was much
interested."

"I have no doubt, your Majesty." He turned to Belvane. "You will be
interested in our armoury at home, dear."

She gave a quick glance at the King to see that he was looking, and
then patted Udo's hand tenderly.

"Home," she said lovingly, "how sweet it sounds!"

The King shivered as if in pain, and strode quickly from them.

* * * * *

"Your Majesty sent for me," said Coronel.

The King stopped his pacings and looked round as Coronel came into the
library.

"Ah, yes, yes," he said quickly. "Now sit down there and make
yourself comfortable. I want to talk to you about this marriage.