I took too much of that
Capri wine; it was new and hot at the time, and I got into a row of
some sort, and I beat the Deputato from some place or t' other, and got
locked up for three days; and the priest, a very jolly fellow, gave
me under his handwriting a voucher that I had been a witness of the
marriage, and all the festivities afterwards, just to show my master how
everything happened. But the Prince never asked me for any explanations,
and only said he 'hoped I had amused myself well;' and so I kept my
voucher to myself, and I have it at this very hour."

"Will you let me see it, Stubber?"

"To be sure, sir, you shall have it, if I can lay my hand on 't in the
course of the day."

"Let me beg you will go at once and search for it; it may be of more
importance than you know of. Go, my dear Stubber, and look it up."

"I'll not lose a moment, since you wish to have it," said Stubber; "and
I am sure your ladyship will excuse my abrupt departure."

The Princess assured him that her own interest in the document was not
inferior to that of Sir Horace, and he hastened off to prosecute his
search.

"Here, then, are all my plans altered at once," exclaimed she, as the
door closed after him. "If this paper mean only as much as he asserts,
it will be ample proof of marriage, and lead us to the knowledge of all
those who were present at it."

"Yet must we well reflect on the use we make of it," said Upton.
"Glencore is now evidently balancing what course to take. As his chances
of recovery grow less each day, he seems to incline more and more to
repair the wrong he has done. Should we show on our side the merest
semblance of compulsion, I would not answer for him."

"So that we have the power, as a last resource, I am content to
diplomatize," said the Princess; "but you must see him this evening, and
press for a decision."

"He has already asked me to come to him after we return from Court. It
will be late, but it is the hour at which he likes best to talk. If I
see occasion for it, I can allude to what Stubber has told us; but it
will be only if driven by necessity to it."

"I would act more boldly and more promptly," said she.

"And rouse an opposition, perhaps, that already is becoming dormant. No,
I know Glencore well, and will deal with him more patiently."

"From the Chevalier Stubber, your Excellency," said a servant,
presenting a sealed packet; and Sir Horace opened it at once. The
envelope contained a s