case of accident, hung an extra
tunic; but the other extra did not show. Boots reaching to the thighs
and a head-dress of almost equal height borne upon the arm, completed
the splendor of his array. Bowing his way in, he had so martial an air
that the Queen's heart was quite won by it, and she regretted that
Charlotte, belated in her attendance, had not been there to see.

The Prince uttered with correctness, though in a rather heavy German
accent, the formula of royal greeting; and throughout the interview
continued to speak in Jingalese. As soon as the doors were
closed--leaving only royalty, he dropped into homelier speech. "I hope
the cure has done you no harm," he said, "that it has not too greatly
diverted your digestion; some people are much upset by it."

The King and Queen hastened to reassure him. Bad-as-Bad, its air, its
waters, and its society had treated them in the handsomest way
possible. "We are quite sorry," said the Queen, "that so soon we shall
have to leave."

The Prince glanced round before asking abruptly: "And the Princess--she
is still here?"

"She will be here presently," answered the Queen, "I am expecting her
any moment. She goes on long walks," she added, by way of explanation.

"Ah, good!" commented the Prince.

Many minutes went by, conversation alternately flowed and halted. They
were all conscious of an impediment, for still the Princess did not
appear; and at last her Majesty was impelled to send one of her ladies
to make inquiry. "She takes such very long walks," explained the Queen
once more.

"Ah, good, very good indeed," remarked the Prince in a spirit of
acceptance.

And then, after a little more waiting, the lady came back to say that
the Princess could not be found; she and one of her ladies had gone out
together.

"How very forgetful of her!" exclaimed the Queen.

Just then, very discreetly, but with a look full of meaning, a private
secretary came and put a telegram into the King's hand. Excusing himself
to the Prince he opened it; it was postmarked from the station office at
Schnapps, and it read thus--

"I have gone home. Charlotte."

It was no use; the surprise of it was too much for him. "She has run
off!" he ejaculated; the compromising phrase had slipped out before he
was aware.

"Who?" cried his wife, though knowing quite well.

"Charlotte; she has gone home."

Husband and wife stared at each other mute and amazed; while the Prince
sat trying with ami