ould all be killed; but perhaps later--when things have
quieted----"

"There will always be," he warned, "a republic in the heart of your
kingdom. The quieter--the more danger."

General Otaballo had remained in the rear of the room doing his best
to control his impatience, but now he ventured to step forward. He
saluted.

"Pardon me, your Highness, but they wait to make you their Queen."

"Don't! Don't!" she pleaded. "Leave me for to-day just a maid of
Carlina. To-morrow----"

"Your Majesty," answered the General, with some severity, "to-morrow
may be too late for all of us."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"That the situation now is a great deal more serious than your Majesty
seems to understand. We are victorious, yes. But it is as difficult to
maintain a victory as to win one. To-day the crowd throw up their caps
for Beatrice, but if Beatrice spurns them and ignores their loyal
cheers, it takes but a trifle to turn their thoughts the other way.
Let me escort your Majesty through the city; let me establish you in
the palace which has been graced by so many of your kin; let them see
you where their grandfathers saw your brave aunt, and the last drop of
blood in their veins is yours."

She pouted like a child, her thoughts still upon other things than
crowns of human make.

"But I don't want their blood. I don't want to be Queen. I want to be
left alone."

She looked out the window to the blue sky so full of gold and peace,
where the birds tumbled at will, their throats bursting with song.

"General," she said, "leave me to-day, at any rate. That is all I
ask,--just to-day."

"Your Majesty," he answered slowly, "it is not mine to grant, not
yours to take. Many things may happen in a night,--too many. There
will be much talking in the cafes this evening, many gatherings of
men, much afoot before dawn. The forces brought in by General Danbury
already belong to anyone who will pay them. It is not his fault,--they
fought well for their money; but now they are equally ready to fight
again for someone else. You alone can hold them to your cause.
President Arlano escaped us and is doubtless busy. If we gain the
crowd, we are safe against anything he may do; without the crowd, we
are in jeopardy. Once the people see you crowned--once they can shout
for Beatrice with her before their eyes, a living thing to fight
for--they are ours forever."

"But----"

"Your Majesty has not fully considered the alternative