y grave. It amounts to the
same thing," wailed Miss Manchester, who was, in the sphere of happier
duties, Miss Letitia Portman, and had been the Princess's governess.
"I can't look down; I can't look up, because I keep thinking of the
unspeakable things behind. After I get my breath and have become
resigned to my fate, I _may_ be comparatively comfortable here, for
some years; but as to stirring either way, there's no use dreaming of
it."

"Well, you'll make an ideal hermitess," said Virginia. "You've exactly
the right features for that profession; austere, yet benevolent. But
you're not really afraid now?"

"Not so much, sitting down," admitted Miss Portman, slowly regaining
her natural color.

"Do you think then, dear, that you'd relapse and lose your head or
anything, if I just strolled on alone to the top of the _col_ for the
view which the guide-book says is so fine, and then came back to
organize a relief expedition, say in about half an hour or so?"

"No-o," said Miss Portman, "I suppose I can bear it. I may as well
accustom myself to loneliness, as I am obliged to spend my remaining
years on this spot. But I'm not at all sure the Duchess would
approve--"

"You mean Lady Mowbray. She wouldn't mind. She knows I've a good head
and--physically--a good heart. Besides, I shall have only myself to
look after. And one really doesn't need a chaperon in going to make an
early call on a mountain view."

"Dearest Princess, I'm not so sure of that, in regard to this mountain
view."

"Miss Mowbray, please. You're very subtle. But I really _haven't_ come
out to look for the Mountain View you refer to. You needn't think it.
I don't know where his lair is, but it's probably miles from here, and
if I knew I wouldn't hunt him there. That would be _un peu trop fort_;
and anyway, I'm inclined to believe that Mother is right about those
dresses. I shall have such nice ones at Kronburg! So you see you can
conscientiously give me your blessing and let me go."

"My dear! As if I could have suspected you would search for him! You
are in Rhaetia not to pursue, but to give an Emperor, who wishes to
have a certain Princess for his consort, a chance to fall in love with
herself."

"If he will--if it can be so. But what do Helen Mowbray and Letitia
Manchester know about the love affairs of emperors and princesses? _Au
revoir_, dear friend; I'm going. By and by, if you have courage to
lift your eyes, you'll see me waving a handker