cracy is the card to play, the trump. I play it now
and always. I have no prejudices. But when you say to me: 'There is no
impossibility, marry Corinne,' I reply: 'You do not understand. There
is one thing more to reckon with.' Donovan, you have forgotten----"

"I haven't forgotten," said Gorman. "I never get a chance of
forgetting. It's the Emperor, as usual."

"You have shot the bull in his eye," said the King. "Donovan, it is
that. Gorman knows. There is the Emperor. Therefore I cannot marry
Corinne."

"I'd see that Emperor a long way," said Donovan, "before I'd allow him
to dictate to me."

"Ah," said the King, "but you do not understand the Emperor."

"I don't believe any one does," said Gorman.

"Well," said Donovan, "I do _not_ understand your Emperor. I own up to
that. But you think over my suggestion, and you'll find, Emperor or no
Emperor, there isn't any genuine obstacle."

CHAPTER XXII

King Konrad Karl slept badly that night. Donovan's plan seemed to him
quite hopeless. He went to bed fully persuaded that he and his beloved
Corinne would have to embark next day and make a considerable voyage
in an open boat. I do not blame him for being disturbed at the
prospect. I am fond of boats myself and can enjoy a ten-tonner very
well; but nothing would induce me to go to sea with Madame Ypsilante
in anything less comfortable than a well-equipped steam yacht of 1,000
tons. Besides there was the pursuit of the Megalian navy to be
considered.

The King was not the only person who missed his proper sleep. Gorman
lay awake for two hours. He was tormented by the feeling that it was
barbarous to turn Konrad Karl and Madame Ypsilante adrift in a boat.
Donovan was more fortunate. He slept untroubled by any worry about his
guests. It seemed to him the simplest thing in the world that the King
should marry Madame next day. Stephanos should perform the ceremony.
Stephanos officiated at all the islanders' marriages.

There was, as it turned out, neither a flight nor a wedding next day.
Madame Ypsilante developed a feverish chill. She was plainly quite
unfit for a boat voyage and in no condition to be married. The Queen
and Kalliope took up the work of nursing her with enthusiasm. The
Queen would not listen to a word Gorman said to her. Her view was that
Madame Ypsilante was the heroine of a splendid romance, that she had
fled to her fiance across land and sea, braving awful dangers,
enduring incredible hards