f he didn't admire her as much as they do; and none
of the women there are of the sort to be jealous. So, are you sure,
Lorenz, that you're not taking too serious a view of the affair?"

"It can't be taken too seriously, considering the circumstances. I've
told you my plans for the Emperor's future. Princesses are women, and
gossip is hydra-headed. When the lady hears--she who has been allowed
to understand that the Emperor of Rhaetia only waits for a suitable
opportunity of formally asking for her hand--for she will surely hear,
that he has seized this very moment for his first _liason_, I tell you
neither she nor her people are likely to accept the statement meekly.
She's half German; on her father's side a cousin not too distant of
William II. She's half English; on her mother's side related to the
King through the line of the Stuarts. And in her there's a dash of
American blood which comes from a famous grandmother, who was
descended from George Washington, a man as proud, and with the right
to be as proud, as any King. All three countries would have reason to
resent such an ungallant slight from Rhaetia."

"The little affair must be hushed up," said Egon.

"It must be stopped, and at once," said the Chancellor.

"Ach!" sighed the young man, with as much meaning in the long drawn
breath, as the elder might care to read. And if it did not discourage,
it at least irritated him. "Go on!" he exclaimed sharply. "Go on with
your sorry tale."

"After all, when one comes to the telling, there isn't a very great
deal one can put into cut-and-dried words," explained Egon. "At table,
the Emperor has his hostess on one side and his fair preserver on the
other. The two talk as much together during meals as etiquette allows,
and perhaps a little more. Then, as the Emperor has been often at
Lyndalberg, he can act as cicerone for a stranger. He has shown Miss
Mowbray all the beauties of the place. He gathers her roses in the
rose garden; he has guided her through the grottoes. He has piloted
her through the labyrinth; he has told her which are the best dogs in
the kennels; and has given her the history of all the horses in the
Baron's stables. I know this from the table talk. He has explored the
lake with Miss Mowbray and her mother in a motor-boat; perhaps you saw
the party? And whether or no he brought his automobile to Lyndalberg
on purpose, in any case he's had the Mowbrays out in it several times
already. One would hardly