e.
These people, elevated from menial station to a mock nobility, only
serve to throw ridicule upon themselves and the order that they
counterfeit. No socialist in Europe has done such service to the cause
of democracy as the Prince of Massa!"

"Honesty is such a very rare quality in this world that I am not
surprised at his Highness prizing it under any garb. Now, Stubber is
honest."

"He says so himself, I am told."

"Yes, he says so, and I believe him. He has been employed in situations
of considerable trust, and always acquitted himself well. Such a man
cannot have escaped temptations, and yet even his enemies do not accuse
him of venality."

"Good Heavens! what more would he have than his legitimate spoils? He
is a Minister of the Household, with an ample salary; a Master of the
Horse; an inspector of Woods and Forests; a something over Church lands;
and a Red Cross of Massa besides. I am quite 'made up' in his dignities,
for they are all set forth on his visiting-card with what purports to
be a coat of arms at top." And, as she spoke, she held out the card in
derision.

"That's silly, I must say," said Upton, smiling; "and yet, I suppose
that here in Massa it was requisite he should assert all his pretensions
thus openly."

"Perhaps so," said she, dryly.

"And, after all," said Upton, who seemed rather bent on a system of mild
tormenting,--"after all, there is something amiable in the weakness of
this display,--it smacks of gratitude! It is like saying to the world,
'See what the munificence of my master has made me!'"

"What a delicate compliment, too, to his nobles, which proclaims that
for a station of trust and probity the Prince must recruit from the
kitchen and the stables. To _my_ thinking, there is no such impertinent
delusion as that popular one which asserts that we must seek
for everything in its least likely place,--take ministers out of
counting-houses, and military commanders from shop-boards. For the
treatment of weighty questions in peace or war, the gentleman element is
the first essential."

"Just as long as the world thinks so, dear Princess; not an hour
longer."

The Princess arose, and walked the room in evident displeasure. She half
suspected that his objections were only devices to irritate, and she
determined not to prolong the discussion. The temptation to reply
proved, however, too strong for her resolution, and she said,--

"The world has thought so for some centuries; an