le pale as their fingers touched. But he tasted his
tea, and pronounced it excellent.

Prince Ferdinand William Otto chattered excitedly. He told of the dog,
dilating on its cleverness, but passing politely over the manner of its
return. Now and then Hedwig glanced at Nikky, when he was not looking,
and always, when they dared, the young soldier's eyes were on her.

"She will take some tea without sugar," announced the Crown Prince.

While he poured it, Hedwig was thinking. Was it possible that Nikky,
of every one, should have been chosen to carry to Karl the marriage
arrangements? What an irony! What a jest! It was true there was a change
in him. He looked subdued, almost sad.

"To Karnia?" she asked, when Prince Ferdinand William Otto had again
left the room. "Officially?"

"Not--exactly."

"Where, in Karnia?"

"I ended," Nikky confessed, "at Wedeling."

Hedwig gazed at him, her elbows propped on the tea-table. "Then," she
said, "I think you know."

"I know, Highness."

"And you have nothing to say?"

Nikky looked at her with desperate eyes. "What can I say, Highness? Only
that--it is very terrible to me--that I--" He rose abruptly and stood
looking down at her.

"That you--" said Hedwig softly.

"Highness," Nikky began huskily, "you know what I would say. And that I
cannot. To take advantage of Otto's fancy for me, a child's liking, to
violate the confidence of those who placed me here--I am doing that,
every moment."

"What about me?" Hedwig asked. "Do I count for nothing? Does it not
matter at all how I feel, whether I am happy or wretched? Isn't that as
important as honor?"

Nikky flung out his hands. "You know," he said rapidly. "What can I tell
you that you do not know a thousand times? I love you. Not as a subject
may adore his princess, but as a man loves a woman."

"I too!" said Hedwig. And held out her hands.

But he did not take them. Almost it was as though he would protect her
from herself. But he closed his eyes for a moment, that he might not see
that appealing gesture. "I, who love you more than life, who would, God
help me, forfeit eternity for you--I dare not take you in my arms."

Hedwig's arms fell. She drew herself up. "Love!" she said. "I do not
call that love."

"It is greater love than you know," said poor Nikky. But all his courage
died a moment later, and his resolution with it, for without warning
Hedwig dropped her head on her hands and, crouching forlornly, fell to