nd asked him to forget the deception that had been
practiced in the United States. He explained the necessity for traveling
incognito at that time. After which the Count entered a plea for Her
Royal Highness, who had expressed contrition and wished to be absolved.

XI. LOVE IN A CASTLE

As the day wore on Lorry grew irritable and restless. He could not bring
himself into full touch with the situation, notwithstanding Harry's
frequent and graphic recollections of incidents that had occurred and
that had led to their present condition. Their luncheon was served in
the Count's room, as it was inadvisable for the injured man to go to the
dining-hall until he was stronger. The court physician assured him that
he would be incapacitated for several days, but that in a very short
time his wound would lose the power to annoy him in the least. The Count
and Countess Halfont, Anguish and others came to cheer him and to make
his surroundings endurable. Still he was dissatisfied, even unhappy.

The cause of his uneasiness and depression was revealed only by the
manner in which it was removed. He was lying stretched out on the couch,
staring from the window, his head aching; his heart full of a longing
that knows but one solace. Anguish had gone out in the grounds after
assuring himself that his charge was asleep, so there was no one in the
room when he awakened from a sickening dream to shudder alone over its
memory. A cool breeze from an open window fanned his head kindly; a
bright sun gleamed across the trees, turning them into gold and purple
and red and green; a quiet repose was in all that touched him outwardly;
inwardly there was burning turmoil. He turned on his side and curiously
felt the bandages about his head. They were tight and smooth, and he
knew they were perfectly white. How lonely those bandages made him feel,
away off there in Graustark!

The door to his room opened softly, but he did not turn, thinking it was
Anguish--always Anguish--and not the one he most desired to--

"Her Royal Highness," announced a maid, and then--

"May I come in?" asked a voice that went to his troubled soul like a
cooling draught to the fevered throat. He turned toward her instantly,
all the irritation, all the uneasiness, all the loneliness vanishing
like mist before the sun. Behind her was a lady-in-waiting.

"I cannot deny the request of a princess," he responded, smiling gaily.
He held forth his hand toward her, half fea