is this Count of
Albany?"

I nodded. "It is a thin disguise to one familiar with history."

"Have you reached any estimate of his character or capabilities? You
speak to friends, and, let me tell you, it is a matter which deeply
concerns the Count's interests."

"I think him a kindly and pathetic old gentleman. He naturally bears
the mark of forty years' sojourn in the wilderness."

Mr. Galloway took snuff.

"We have business with him, but it is business which stands in need of
an agent. There is no one in the Count's suite with whom we could
discuss affairs?"

"There is his daughter."

"Ah, but she would scarcely suit the case. Is there no man--a friend,
and yet not a member of the family who can treat with us?"

I replied that I thought that I was the only being in Santa Chiara who
answered the description.

"If you will accept the task, Mr. Townshend, you are amply qualified.
We will be frank with you and reveal our business. We are on no less
an errand than to offer the Count of Albany a crown."

I suppose I must have had some suspicion of their purpose, and yet the
revelation of it fell on me like a thunderclap. I could only stare
owlishly at my four grave gentlemen.

Mr. Galloway went on unperturbed. "I have told you that in America we
are not yet republicans. There are those among us who favour a
republic, but they are by no means a majority. We have got rid of a
king who misgoverned us, but we have no wish to get rid of kingship.
We want a king of our own choosing, and we would get with him all the
ancient sanctions of monarchy. The Count of Albany is of the most
illustrious royal stock in Europe--he is, if legitimacy goes for
anything, the rightful King of Britain. Now, if the republican party
among us is to be worsted, we must come before the nation with a
powerful candidate for their favour. You perceive my drift? What more
potent appeal to American pride than to say: 'We have got rid of King
George; we choose of our own free will the older line and King
Charles'?"

I said foolishly that I thought monarchy had had its day, and that
'twas idle to revive it.

"That is a sentiment well enough under a monarchical government; but
we, with a clean page to write upon, do not share it. You know your
ancient historians. Has not the repository of the chief power always
been the rock on which republicanism has shipwrecked? If that power is
given to the chief citizen, the way is prepared