.
Eh, Stubber, is n't it good? Say to-morrow at six, and go yourself with
the invitation."

And, overjoyed with the notion of his own subtlety, the Prince walked up
and down, laughing heartily, and rubbing his hands in glee.

Stubber, however, was too well versed in the changeability of his
master's nature to exhibit any rash promptitude in obeying him.

"You must manage to let the English papers speak of this, Stubber.
The 'Augsburg Gazette' will be sure to copy the paragraph, and what a
sensation it will create at Vienna!"

"I am inclined to think Upton has come here about that young fellow we
gave up to the Austrians last autumn, and for whom he desires to claim
some compensation and an ample apology."

"Apology, of course, Stubber,--humiliation to any extent. I'll send the
Minister Landelli into exile,--to the galleys, if they insist; but I
'll not pay a scudo,--my royal word on it! But who says that such is the
reason of his presence here?"

"I had a hint of it last night, and I received a polite note from Upton
this morning, asking when he might have a few moments' conversation with
me."

"Go to him, Stubber, with our invitation. Ask him if he likes shooting.
Say I am going to Serravezza on Saturday; sound him if he desires to
have the Red Cross of Massa; hint that I am an ardent admirer of his
public career; and be sure to tell me something he has said or done, if
he come to dinner."

"There is to be a dinner, then, sir?" asked Stubber, with the air of one
partly struggling with a conviction.

"I have said so, Chevalier!" replied the Prince, haughtily, and in the
tone of a man whose decisions were irrevocable. "I mean to dine in the
state apartments, and to have a reception in the evening, just to show
Rosenkrantz how cheaply we hold him. Eh, Stubber? It will half kill him
to come with the general company!"

Stubber gave a faint sigh, as though fresh complications and more
troubles would be the sole results of this brilliant tactique.

"If I were well served and faithfully obeyed, there is not a sovereign
in Europe who would boast a more independent position,--protected by
my bold people, environed by my native Apennines, and sustained by the
proud consciousness--the proud consciousness---that I cannot injure a
state which has not sixpence in the treasury! Eh, Stubber?" cried he,
with a burst of merry laughter. "That's the grand feature of composure
and dignity, to know you can't be worse! and this,