-for the sake of what once had
lain between them--would not now refuse to shelter and protect her. Of
Koenigsmark she desired that he should act as her escort to her cousin's
court.

Koenigsmark was ready, eager. In Hanover he would leave nothing that
he regretted. At Wolfenbuttelyy, having served Sophia faithfully, his
ever-growing, romantic passion for her might find expression. She would
make all dispositions, and advise him when she was ready to set out.
But they must use caution, for they were being spied upon. Madame von
Platen's over-eagerness had in part betrayed her. It was, indeed, their
consciousness of espionage which had led to this dangerous meeting
in the seclusion of the pavilion, and which urged him to linger after
Sophia had left him. They were not to be seen to emerge together.

The young Dane sat alone on the window-seat, his chin in his hands, his
eyes dreamy, a faint smile on his shapely lips, when Ernest Augustus
burst furiously in, the Countess von Platen lingering just beyond the
threshold. The Elector's face was apoplectically purple from rage and
haste, his breath came in wheezing gasps. His bulging eyes swept
round the chamber, and fastened finally, glaring, upon the startled
Koenigsmark.

"Where is the Princess?" he blurted out.

The Count espied Madame von Platen in the back ground, and had the
scent of mischief very strong. But he preserved an air of innocent
mystification. He rose and answered with courteous ease:

"Your Highness is seeking her? Shall I ascertain for you?"

At a loss, Ernest Augustus stared a moment, then flung a glance over his
shoulder at the Countess.

"I was told that her Highness was here," he said.

"Plainly," said Koenigsmark, with perfect calm, "you have been
misinformed." And his quiet glance and gesture invited the Elector to
look round for himself.

"How long have you been here yourself?" Feeling at a disadvantage, the
Elector avoided the direct question that was in his mind.

"Half an hour at least."

"And in that time you have not seen the Princess?"

"Seen the Princess?" Koenigsmark's brows were knit perplexedly. "I
scarcely understand your Highness."

The Elector moved a step and trod on a soft substance. He looked down,
then stooped, and rose again, holding in his hand a woman's glove.

"What's this?" quoth he. "Whose glove is this?"

If Koenigsmark's heart missed a beat--as well it may have done--he did
not betray it outwardly. He smile