ly resign. Tell this to your friends; assure them from me of my
docility; assure them that, however they conceive of my deficiencies,
they cannot suppose me more unfit to be a ruler than I do myself. I am
one of the worst princes in Europe; will they improve on that?"

"Far be it from me ..." the man began.

"See, now, if you will not defend my government!" cried Otto. "If I were
you, I would leave conspiracies. You are as little fit to be a
conspirator as I to be a king."

"One thing I will say out," said the man. "It is not so much you that we
complain of, it's your lady."

"Not a word, sir," said the Prince; and then after a moment's pause, and
in tones of some anger and contempt: "I once more advise you to have
done with politics," he added; "and when next I see you, let me see you
sober. A morning drunkard is the last man to sit in judgment even upon
the worst of princes."

"I have had a drop, but I had not been drinking," the man replied,
triumphing in a sound distinction. "And if I had, what then? Nobody
hangs by me. But my mill is standing idle, and I blame it on your wife.
Am I alone in that? Go round and ask. Where are the mills? Where are the
young men that should be working? Where is the currency? All paralysed.
No, sir, it is not equal; for I suffer for your faults--I pay for them,
by George, out of a poor man's pocket. And what have you to do with
mine? Drunk or sober, I can see my country going to hell, and I can see
whose fault it is. And so now, I've said my say, and you may drag me to
a stinking dungeon; what care I? I've spoke the truth, and so I'll hold
hard, and not intrude upon your Highness's society."

And the miller reined up and, clumsily enough, saluted.

"You will observe, I have not asked your name," said Otto. "I wish you a
good ride," and he rode on hard. But let him ride as he pleased, this
interview with the miller was a chokepear, which he could not swallow.
He had begun by receiving a reproof in manners, and ended by sustaining
a defeat in logic, both from a man whom he despised. All his old
thoughts returned with fresher venom. And by three in the afternoon,
coming to the cross-roads for Beckstein, Otto decided to turn aside and
dine there leisurely. Nothing at least could be worse than to go on as
he was going.

In the inn at Beckstein he remarked, immediately upon his entrance, an
intelligent young gentleman dining, with a book in front of him. He had
his own place laid clo