f was a man who lay late in the morning; and he was not well
pleased to be roused when the clock had but just struck four. Yet he
sat up in his bed readily enough, for he imagined that the embassy
from the Grand Duke of Mittenheim must be nearer than he had thought,
and, sooner than fail in any courtesy towards the prince whose
alliance he ardently desired, he was ready to submit to much
inconvenience. But his astonishment was great when, instead of any
tidings from the embassy, one of his gentlemen handed him a
letter, saying that a servant had received it from a stranger with
instructions to carry it at once to the king. When asked if any answer
were desired from his majesty, the stranger had answered, "Not through
me," and at once turned away, and quickly disappeared. The king, with
a peevish oath at having been roused for such a trifle, broke the seal
and fastenings of the letter, and opened it; and he read:

"Sire--Your sister does not wait for the embassy, but chooses her own
lover. She has met a student of the University every day for the last
three weeks by the river bank." (The king started.) "This morning she
has fled with him on horseback along the western road. If you desire a
student for a brother-in-law, sleep again. If not, up and ride. Do not
doubt these tidings."

There was no signature to the letter; yet the king, knowing his
sister, cried:

"See whether the princess is in the palace. And in the meanwhile
saddle my horse, and let a dozen of the guard be at the gate."

The princess was not in the palace; but her woman found the letter
that she had left, and brought it to the king. And the king read:
"Brother, whom I love best of all men in the world save one, I have
left you to go with that one. You will not forgive me now, but some
day forgive me. Nay, it is not I who have done it, but my love which
is braver than I. He is the sweetest gentleman alive, brother, and
therefore he must be my lord. Let me go, but still love me--Osra."

"It is true," said the king. "And the embassy will be here to-day."
And for a moment he seemed dazed. Yet he spoke nothing to anybody of
what the letters contained, but sent word to the queen's apartments
that he went riding for pleasure. And he took his sword and his
pistols; for he swore that by his own hand, and that of no other man,
this sweetest gentleman alive should meet his death. But all, knowing
that the princess was not in the palace, guessed that the king's