gn, as I
continue to observe with regret, is still absent from the board,"
replied the Doctor calmly; and he resumed the perusal of the paper, the
rest chafing and exchanging glances. "Madam and gentlemen," he said at
last, "what I hold in my hand is simply a declaration of war."

"Simply," said Seraphina, flashing defiance.

"The sovereign of this country is under the same roof with us,"
continued Gotthold, "and I insist he shall be summoned. It is needless
to adduce my reasons; you are all ashamed at heart of this projected
treachery."

The council waved like a sea. There were various outcries.

"You insult the Princess," thundered Gondremark.

"I maintain my protest," replied Gotthold.

At the height of this confusion the door was thrown open; an usher
announced, "Gentlemen, the Prince!" and Otto, with his most excellent
bearing, entered the apartment. It was like oil upon the troubled
waters; every one settled instantly into his place, and Greisengesang,
to give himself a countenance, became absorbed in the arrangement of his
papers; but in their eagerness to dissemble one and all neglected to
rise.

"Gentlemen," said the Prince, pausing.

They all got to their feet in a moment; and this reproof still further
demoralised the weaker brethren.

The Prince moved slowly towards the lower end of the table; then he
paused again, and, fixing his eye on Greisengesang, "How comes it, Herr
Cancellarius," he said, "that I have received no notice of the change of
hour?"

"Your Highness," replied the Chancellor, "her Highness the Princess ..."
and there paused.

"I understood," said Seraphina, taking him up, "that you did not purpose
to be present."

Their eyes met for a second, and Seraphina's fell; but her anger only
burned the brighter for that private shame.

"And now, gentlemen," said Otto, taking his chair, "I pray you to be
seated. I have been absent; there are doubtless some arrears; but ere we
proceed to business, Herr Grafinski, you will direct four thousand
crowns to be sent to me at once. Make a note, if you please," he added,
as the treasurer still stared in wonder.

"Four thousand crowns?" asked Seraphina. "Pray for what?"

"Madam," returned Otto, smiling, "for my own purposes."

Gondremark spurred up Grafinski underneath the table.

"If your Highness will indicate the destination ..." began the puppet.

"You are not here, sir, to interrogate your Prince," said Otto.

Grafinski looked for h