think?"

Othomar looked at Herman; Othomar did not like his cool voice:

"If you do so out of sympathy, because you happen to be at Lipara, by
all means," he began....

"Let me tell you once more: I am doing this chiefly because of ... your
mother."

His voice sounded very emphatic.

"Do it for her then," replied Othomar, gently. "It will give me great
pleasure if you go with me for my mother's sake."

Herman realized that he had been unnecessarily cool and emphatic. He was
sorry. The empress had asked him to accompany Othomar. He had hesitated
at first, knowing that there was a lack of sympathy between Othomar and
him. Then he had yielded, but had not known how to ask Othomar. His
usual ease of manner had forsaken him, as it always did in Othomar's
presence.

"Very well, then," Herman stammered, awkwardly.

Othomar put out his hand:

"I understand your intention perfectly. Mamma would like you to go too,
because she will then be sure that there is some one with me whom I can
trust in everything. Isn't that it?"

Herman pressed his hand:

"Yes," he said, pleased, contented, feeling no annoyance that Othomar
had had the best of the conversation, delighted that his cousin took it
like this. "Yes, just so; that's how it is. Don't let me detain you now:
it's late. Good-night...."

"Good-night...."

Herman went. It was still pouring with rain. Othomar sat down again; the
chill of the rainy night pressed coldly into the room and fell upon his
shoulders. But he remained staring motionlessly at the tips of his
boots.

Andro entered softly:

"Does your highness wish me to...."

Othomar nodded. The valet first closed the window and drew the blind and
then knelt before the prince, who, with a gesture of fatigue, put out
his foot to him and rested the heel of his boot on the man's knee.

4

The downpour ceased during the night; but it was raining again in the
morning. It was seven o'clock; a sultry moisture covered the colossal
glass roof of the station, as though it had been breathed upon from end
to end. The special train stood waiting; the engine gave short, powerful
snorts, like a discontented, tired beast. A great multitude, a buzzing
accumulation of vague people filled the glass hall; a detachment of
infantry--two files, to right and left; the uniforms, dark-red and
pale-grey; above, a faint glitter of bayonets--drew two long stripes of
colour diagonally through the sombre station, cut the crowd