e world now, your Majesty," he
said, cheerfully, "and the number is getting smaller every year. We
have none at all in my country, and I should think--seeing they are so
few--that those who have them would take better care of them, and try
to keep them untarnished, and brushed up, and clean." He turned his
head and looked inquiringly at the King, but Louis made no sign that he
heard him.

"I have no desire, you understand me," continued Gordon, unabashed, "to
take advantage of a man when he is down, but the temptation to say `I
told you so' seems almost impossible to resist. What?" he asked--"I
beg your pardon, I thought you spoke." But the King continued
scornfully silent, and only a contemptuous snort from Barrat expressed
his feelings.

Gordon placed the crown carefully under his arm, and then removed it
quickly, with a guilty look of dismay at its former owner, and let it
swing from his hand; but this fashion of carrying it seemed also
lacking in respect, so he held it up again with both hands and glanced
at the King in some perplexity.

"There ought to be a sofa-cushion to go with this, or something to
carry it on," he said, in a grieved tone. "You see, I am new at this
sort of thing. Perhaps your Majesty would kindly give me some expert
information. How do you generally carry it?"

The King's eyes snapped open and shut again.

"On my head," he said, grimly.

Gordon laughed in great relief.

"Now, do you know, I like that," he cried. "That shows spirit. I am
glad to see you take it so cheerfully. Well, I must be going, sir," he
added, nodding, and moving toward the door. "Don't be discouraged. As
someone says, `It's always morning somewhere,' and in my country
there's just as good men out of office as there are in it. Good-night."

While the sound of Gordon's footsteps died away across the marble
terrace, the King and Barrat remained motionless and silent. The
darkness in the room deepened and the silence seemed to deepen with it;
and still they remained immovable, two shadowy figures in the deserted
apartment where the denunciations of those who had abandoned them still
seemed to hang and echo in the darkness. What thoughts passed through
their minds or for how long a time they might still have sat in bitter
contemplation can only be guessed, for they were surprised by the sharp
rattle of a lock, the two great doors of the adjoining room were thrown
wide open, and a broad and brilliant lig