his country is under the same roof with us,' continued
Gotthold, 'and I insist he shall be summoned. It is needless to adduce
my reasons; you are all ashamed at heart of this projected treachery.'

The council waved like a sea. There were various outcries.

'You insult the Princess,' thundered Gondremark.

'I maintain my protest,' replied Gotthold.

At the height of this confusion the door was thrown open; an usher
announced, 'Gentlemen, the Prince!' and Otto, with his most excellent
bearing, entered the apartment. It was like oil upon the troubled
waters; every one settled instantly into his place, and Griesengesang, to
give himself a countenance, became absorbed in the arrangement of his
papers; but in their eagerness to dissemble, one and all neglected to
rise.

'Gentlemen,' said the Prince, pausing.

They all got to their feet in a moment; and this reproof still further
demoralised the weaker brethren.

The Prince moved slowly towards the lower end of the table; then he
paused again, and, fixing his eye on Greisengesang, 'How comes it, Herr
Cancellarius,' he asked, 'that I have received no notice of the change of
hour?'

'Your Highness,' replied the Chancellor, 'her Highness the Princess . . . '
and there paused.

'I understood,' said Seraphina, taking him up, 'that you did not purpose
to be present.'

Their eyes met for a second, and Seraphina's fell; but her anger only
burned the brighter for that private shame.

'And now, gentlemen,' said Otto, taking his chair, 'I pray you to be
seated. I have been absent: there are doubtless some arrears; but ere we
proceed to business, Herr Grafinski, you will direct four thousand crowns
to be sent to me at once. Make a note, if you please,' he added, as the
treasurer still stared in wonder.

'Four thousand crowns?' asked Seraphina. 'Pray, for what?'

'Madam,' returned Otto, smiling, 'for my own purposes.'

Gondremark spurred up Grafinski underneath the table.

'If your Highness will indicate the destination . . . ' began the puppet.

'You are not here, sir, to interrogate your Prince,' said Otto.

Grafinski looked for help to his commander; and Gondremark came to his
aid, in suave and measured tones.

'Your Highness may reasonably be surprised,' he said; 'and Herr
Grafinski, although I am convinced he is clear of the intention of
offending, would have perhaps done better to begin with an explanation.
The resources of the state are at the present mo