poke up valiantly, "it is not romantic folly, in the way
you mean, sir. As long as I live, I shall--It is hopeless, of course,
sir."

"Madness," commented the Chancellor. "Sheer spring madness. You would
carry her off, I dare say, and hide yourselves at the end of a rainbow!
Folly!"

Nikky remained silent, a little sullen.

"The Princess went to the King with her story this evening." The boy
started. "A cruel proceeding, but the young are always cruel. The
expected result has followed: the King wishes you sent away."

"I am at his command, sir."

The Chancellor filled his pipe from a bowl near by, working
deliberately. Nikky sat still, rather rigid.

"May I ask," he said at last, "that you say to the King that the
responsibility is mine? No possible blame can attach to the Princess
Hedwig. I love her, and--I am not clever. I show what I feel."

He was showing it then, both hurt and terror, not for himself, but for
her. His voice shook in spite of his efforts to be every inch a soldier.

"The immediate result," said the Chancellor cruelly, "will doubtless be
a putting forward of the date for her marriage." Nikky's hands clenched.
"A further result would be your dismissal from the army. One does not do
such things as you have done, lightly."

"Lightly!" said Nikky Larisch. "God!"

"But," continued the Chancellor, "I have a better way. I have faith, for
one thing, in your blood. The son of Maria Menrad must be--his mother's
son. And the Crown Prince is attached to you. Not for your sake, but for
his, I am inclined to be lenient. What I shall demand for that leniency
is that no word of love again pass between you and the Princess Hedwig."

"It would be easier to go away."

"Aye, of course. But 'easier' is not your word nor mine." But Nikky's
misery touched him. He rose and placed a heavy hand on the boy's
shoulder. "It is not as simple as that. I know, boy. But you are young,
and these things grow less with time. You need not see her. She will be
forbidden to visit Otto or to go to the riding-school. You see, I know
about the riding-school! And, in a short time now, the marriage will
solve many difficulties."

Nikky closed his eyes. It was getting to be a habit, just as some people
crack their knuckles.

"We need our friends about us," the Chancellor continued. "The Carnival
is coming,--always a dangerous time for us. The King grows weaker day by
day. A crisis is impending for all of us, and we need you."