e, who was going to Kohlslau, the capital of
Trulyruralania, to marry the Grand Duke Michael, who, however, as I was
informed, was in love with the Princess Flirtia. She blushed on seeing
me--but, I was told afterwards, declined being introduced to me on any
account. However, I thought nothing of this, and went on to Bock, the
next station to Kohlslau. At the little inn in the forest I was
informed I was just in time to see the coronation of the new king the
next day. The landlady and her daughter were very communicative, and,
after the fashion of the simple, guileless stage peasant, instantly
informed me what everybody was doing, and at once explained the
situation. She told me that the Grand Duke Michael--or Black Michael
as he was called--himself aspired to the throne, as well as to the hand
of the Princess Flirtia, but was hated by the populace, who preferred
the young heir, Prince Rupert; because he had the hair and features of
the dynasty of the S'helpburgs, "which," she added, "are singularly
like your own."

"But is red hair so very peculiar here?" I asked.

"Among the Jews--yes, sire! I mean yes, SIR," she corrected herself.
"You seldom see a red-headed Jew."

"The Jews!" I repeated in astonishment.

"Of course you know the S'helpburgs are descended directly from
Solomon--and have indeed some of his matrimonial peculiarities," she
said, blushing.

I was amazed--but recalled myself. "But why do they call the Duke of
Kohlslau Black Michael?" I asked carelessly.

"Because he is nearly black, sir. You see, when the great Prince
Rupert went abroad in the old time he visited England, Scotland, and
Africa. They say he married an African lady there--and that the Duke
is really more in the direct line of succession than Prince Rupert."

But here the daughter showed me to my room. She blushed, of course,
and apologized for not bringing a candle, as she thought my hair was
sufficiently illuminating. "But," she added with another blush, "I do
SO like it."

I replied by giving her something of no value,--a Belgian nickel which
wouldn't pass in Bock, as I had found to my cost. But my hair had
evidently attracted attention from others, for on my return to the
guest-room a stranger approached me, and in the purest and most precise
German--the Court or 'Olland Hof speech--addressed me:

"Have you the red hair of the fair King or the hair of your father?"

Luckily I was able to reply with the same purity a