ereditary
law prohibited. Still his children if God gave him children, might be
declared rightful heirs to the throne of their mother, the Princess.
The more they talked, the more the problem seemed to solve itself. Many
times the Princess and her wise men met and overcame obstacles, huge at
first, minimized in the end, all because they loved her and she loved
them. The departure from traditionary custom, as suggested by the
Princess,--coupled with the threat to abdicate,--was the weightiest, yet
the most delicate question that had ever come before the chief men of
Graustark. It meant the beginning of a new line of princes, new life,
new blood, a complete transformation of order as it had come down
through the reigns of many Ganlooks. For the first time in the history
of the country a woman was sovereign; for the first time there had been
no direct male heir to the throne. With the death of old Prince Ganlook
the masculine side of the illustrious family ended. No matter whom his
daughter took for a husband, the line was broken. Why not the bold,
progressive, rich American? argued some. Others fell in with the views
of the few who first surrendered to the will of Yetive, until at last
but one remained in opposition. Count Caspar held out until all were
against him, giving way finally in a burst of oratory which ended in
tears and sobs and which made the sense of the gathering unanimous.

The Princess Yetive won the day, so far as her own position was
concerned. But, there was Lorry to be considered.

"Mr. Lorry knows that I called you together in consultation, but he does
not know that I would have given up my crown for him. I dared not tell
him that. He knows only that I was to ask your advice on the question
of marriage, and that alone. Last night he told me he was confident you
would agree to the union. He is an American, and does not appreciate the
difficulties attending such an espousal. Over there distinction exists
only in wealth and intelligence--position, I believe they call it, but
not such as ours. He is a strange man, and we have yet to consult him as
to the arrangement," she said to her lords, pursing her lips. "I fear
he will object to the plan we have agreed upon," she went on. "He is
sensitive, and it is possible he will not like the idea of putting our
marriage to the popular vote of the people."

"I insist, however, that the people be considered in the matter," said
Gaspon. "In three month's time the