d when a passing shade
of doubt has shaken the conviction, have not the people rushed from
revolution into actual bondage, as though any despotism were better than
the tyranny of their own passions?"

"I opine," said Upton, calmly, "that the 'prestige' of the gentleman
consists in his belonging to an 'order.' Now, that is a privilege that
cannot be enjoyed by a mere popular leader. It is like the contrast
between a club and a public meeting."

"It is something that you confess these people have no 'prestige,'" said
she, triumphantly. "Indeed, their presence in the world of politics,
to my thinking, is a mere symbol of change,--an evidence that we are in
some stage of transition."

"So we are, madame; there is nothing more true. Every people of Europe
have outgrown their governments, like young heirs risen to manhood,
ordering household affairs to their will. The popular voice now swells
above the whisper of cabinets. So long as each country limits itself
to home questions, this spirit will attract but slight notice. Let the
issue, however, become a great international one, and you will see the
popular will declaring wars, cementing alliances, and signing peaces in
a fashion to make statecraft tremble!"

"And you approve of this change, and welcome it?" asked she, derisively.

"I have never said so, madame. I foresee the hurricane, that's all. Men
like Stubber are to be seen almost everywhere throughout Europe. They
are a kind of declaration that, for the government and guidance of
mankind, the possession of a good head and an honest heart is amply
sufficient; that rulers neither need fourteen quarterings nor names
coeval with the Roman Empire."

"You have given me but another reason to detest him," said the Princess,
angrily. "I don't think I shall receive him to-day."

"But you want to speak with him about that villa; there is some
formality to be gone through before a foreigner can own property here. I
think you promised Glencore you would arrange the matter."

She made no reply, and he continued: "Poor fellow! a very short lease
would suffice for his time; he is sinking rapidly. The conflict his
mind wages between hope and doubt has hastened all the symptoms of his
malady."

"In such a struggle a woman has more courage than a man."

"Say more boldness, Princess," said Upton, slyly.

"I repeat, courage, sir. It is fear, and nothing but fear, that agitates
him. He is afraid of the world's sneer; afraid of