Part 13 (1/2)

”Yes--you're right!” exclai were dead and buried, they'd all be here with Michael You know Michael's back, colonel?”

”I know, curse hientlemen,” said I, ”who are the Six?”

”I think you'll entle to him body and soul There are three Ruritanians; then there's a Frenchian, and one of your countrymen”

”They'd all cut a throat if Michael told theested

”Nothing reed Sapt ”Who are here, Fritz?”

”De Gautet, Bersonin, and Detchard”

”The foreigners! It's as plain as a pikestaff He's brought the; that's because he wants to commit the Ruritanians as deep as he can”

”They were none of thee, then?” I asked

”I wish they had been,” said Sapt wistfully ”They had been, not six, but four, by now”

I had already developed one attribute of royalty--a feeling that I need not reveal all ns even to my intimate friends

I had fully resolved on my course of action I meant to make myself as popular as I could, and at the same time to show no disfavour to Michael By these means I hoped to allay the hostility of his adherents, and make it appear, if an open conflict carateful and not oppressed

Yet an open conflict was not what I hoped for

The King's interest deaer for delay!

I ordered rand new avenue of the Royal Park, returning all the salutes which I received with punctilious politeness Then I rode through a few of the streets, stopped and bought flowers of a pretty girl, paying her with a piece of gold; and then, having attracted the desired amount of attention (for I had a trail of half a thousand people after me), I rode to the residence of the Princess Flavia, and asked if she would receive me This step created much interest, and was met with shouts of approval The princess was very popular, and the Chancellor himself had not scrupled to hint to me that the ht it to a prosperous conclusion, the stronger should I be in the affection of my subjects The Chancellor, of course, did not understand the difficulties which lay in the way of following his loyal and excellent advice However, I thought I could do no har; and in this view Fritz supported me with a cordiality that surpriseda visit to the princess's house, which reat desire to see the princess's lady-in-waiting and bosoa von Strofzin

Etiquette seconded Fritz's hopes While I was ushered into the princess's room, he remained with the countess in the ante-cha about, I doubt not that they ed a tete-a-tete; but I had no leisure to think of the the ame I had to keep the princess devoted to me--and yet indifferent to me: I had to show affection for her--and not feel it I had to irl who--princess or no princess--was the most beautiful I had ever seen Well, I bracedembarrass out olden laurels,” she said ”You are like the prince in Shakespeare as transfor, sire”

”I ask you to speak nothing but what your heart tells you--and to callbut my nalad and proud, Rudolf,” said she ”Why, as I told you, your very face is changed”

I acknowledged the compliment, but I disliked the topic; so I said:

”My brother is back, I hear He made an excursion, didn't he?”

”Yes, he is here,” she said, frowning a little

”He can't stay long fro

”Well, we are all glad to see hilanced at leam of amusement in her eyes

”Why, cousin? Is it that you can--?”

”See better what he's doing? Perhaps,” said I ”And why are you glad?”