unfortunate love long ago, but my arrest and escape prevented. It was
not my desire or intention to say to her what I could not speak about
to you. I do not want to be looked upon as a coward who dares not face
difficulties. My love has not been willingly clandestine, and it has
been in spite of her most righteous objections. We have both seen the
futility of love, however strong and pure it may be. I have hoped, your
excellency, and always shall."

"She has confessed her love to you privately?" asked Halfont.

"Against her will, against her judgment, sir."

"Then the worst has come to pass," groaned the old Count. Neither spoke
for some time. They were near the foot of the staircase when Halfont
paused and grasped Lorry's arm. Steadily they looked into each other's
eyes.

"I admire you more than any man I have ever known," said the Count,
huskily, "You are the soul of honor, of courage, of manliness. But, my
God, you cannot become the husband of a Princess of Graustark! I need
not tell you that, however. You surely must understand."

"I do understand," said Lorry, dizzily. "I am not a prince, as you
are saying over and over again to yourself. Count Halfont, every born
American may become ruler of the greatest nation in the world-the United
States. His home is his kingdom; his wife, his mother, his sisters are
his queens and his princesses; his fellow citizens are his admiring
subjects if he is wise and good. In my land you will find the poor man
climbing to the highest pinnacle, side by side with the rich man. The
woman I love is a Princess. Had she been the lowliest maid in all that
great land of ours, still would she have been my queen, I her king. When
first I loved the mistress of Graustark she was, you must not forget,
Miss Guggenslocker. I have said all this to you, sir, not in egotism
nor in bitterness, but to show my right to hope in the face of all
obstacles. We recognize little as impossible. Until death destroys this
power to love and to hope I must say to you that I shall not consider
the Princess Yetive beyond my reach. Frankly, I cannot, sir."

The Count heard him through, unconscious admiration mingling with the
sadness in his eyes.

"There are some obstacles that bravery and perseverance cannot overcome,
my friend," he said, slowly. "One of them is fate."

"As fate is not governed by law or custom, I have the best reason in the
world to hope," said Lorry, yet modestly.

"I would indeed, sir,