ectly, by heart, he showed that he was
quite conversant with the subject. He expressed the opinion that, in so
far as he could gather from the reports of the committee, from the mood
of the house of deputies, it remained an undoubted fact that the two
hundred millions would be refused ... and that the minister would fall.
He repeated these last words with emphasis and then looked firmly first
at his father and then at Count Marcella. Then, in his soft voice, which
rose and fell in logical tones, with serene words of conviction, he
asked why they should not submit to circumstances and make the best of
them. Why not accept the one hundred millions for the infantry as so
much gained and--for this after all would be possible without immediate
danger--endeavour to distribute the other two hundred over a period of
four or five years. He felt certain that an increase of twenty millions
or so a year would not meet with such violent opposition. By this
arrangement Count Marcella would be able to maintain himself in office
and to be supported by the emperor....

When he had ceased, his words were succeeded by a pause. His advice, if
not distinguished by genius, was at least practical and made the most of
this critical situation. Count Myxila slowly nodded his head in
approval. The emperor and Count Marcella could not at once adhere to
Othomar's idea and were obstinate, as though they still hoped to force
the army bill through, unchanged as conceived at first. But the
chancellor took the same view as the crown-prince, proved still more
clearly that an arrangement of this sort would be the only one by which
his majesty would be able to retain Count Marcella's services. And the
end of the matter was that the Duke of Xara's proposal should be taken
into consideration.

When Myxila and Marcella had gone, the emperor asked the prince to wait
a moment longer:

"Othomar," he said, "it gives me great pleasure to see you once more
occupying yourself with the affairs of our country...."

He hesitated an instant, almost anxiously:

"What conclusion may I draw from this ... for the future?" he continued
at last, slowly.

The crown-prince understood him:

"Papa," he said, gently, "I have had my moments of discouragement. I
shall perhaps have them again. But forget ... what we were discussing
just before Berengar's death. I have given up all thought of
abdicating...."

The emperor drew a deep breath.

"I am religious, papa, and I ha