I

TheprivateterraceoftheHotelGrandBretagne，atTangier，wasshadedbyagreatawningofredandgreenandyellow，andstrewnwithcoloredmats，andplantsinpots，andwickerchairs。ItreachedoutfromtheKingsapartmentsintotheGardenofPalms，andwashiddenbythemontwosides，andshowedfromthethirdthebluewatersoftheMediterraneanandthegreatshadowofGibraltarinthedistance。

TheSultanofMoroccohadgivenordersfromFezthattheKingofMessina，inspiteofhisincognito，shouldbetreatedduringhisstayinTangierwiththeconsiderationduetohisrank，soone—halfoftheHotelGrandBretagnehadbeensetasideforhimandhissuite，andtwosoldiersoftheBashaw’sGuardsatoutsideofhisdoorwithdrawnswords。TheywereanswerablewiththeirheadsforthelifeandsafetyoftheSultan’sguest，andastheycouldspeaknolanguagebuttheirown，theymadeavisittohisMajestymoreamatterofadventurethanofetiquette。

Niccolas，theKing’smajordomo，steppedoutupontheterraceandswepttheMediterraneanwithafield—glassforthethirdtimesincesunrise。Heloweredit，andturneddoubtfullytowardthetwosoldiers。

"TheboatfromGibraltar——hasshearrivedyet？"heasked。

Thetwoebonyfiguresshooktheirheadsstiffly，asthoughtheyresentedthisintroductionofaforeignlanguage，andcontinuedtoshaketheirheadsastheservantaddressedthesamequestiontotheminasuccessionofstrangetongues。

"Well，"saidColonelErhaupt，briskly，ashefollowedNiccolasoutupontheterrace，"hastheboatarrived？Andthelaunchfromtheyacht，"hecontinued，"hasitstartedforshoreyet？"

Themanpointedtowheretheyachtlay，amileoutsidetheharbor，andhandedhimtheglass。

"Itisbutjustnowleavingtheship’sside，"hesaid。"ButI

cannotmakeoutwhocomesinher。Ah，pardon，"headdedquickly，ashepointedtoastoutelderlygentlemanwhowalkedrapidlytowardthemthroughthegarden。"TheGibraltarboatmustbein，sir。HereisBaronBarratcomingupthepath。"

ColonelErhauptgaveanexclamationofsatisfaction，andwavedhishandtothenewcomerinwelcome。

"GotellhisMajesty，"hesaidtotheservant。

Themanhesitatedandbowed。"HisMajestystillsleeps。"

"Wakehim，"commandedErhaupt。"TellhimIsaidtodoso。

Well，Baron，"hecried，gayly，ashesteppedforward，"welcome——orareyouwelcome？"headded，withanuneasylaugh。

"Ishouldbe。Ihavesucceeded，"theotherrepliedgruffly，ashebrushedpasthim。"WhereistheKing？"

"Hewillbehereinamoment。Ihavesenttowakehim。Andyouhavebeensuccessful？Good。Icongratulateyou。Howfarsuccessful？"

TheBaronthrewhimselfintooneofthewickerchairs，andclappedhishandsimpatientlyforaservant。"Twelvethousandpoundsinall，"hereplied。"That’smorethanheexpected。

Itwaslikepullingteethatfirst。Iwantsomecoffeeatonce，"hesaidtotheattendant，"andabath。ThatboatreekedwithMoorsandcattle，andtherewasnowagon—litonthetrainfromMadrid。Isatupallnight，andplayedcardswiththatyoungCellini。HaveMadameZaraandKalonayreturned？Iseetheyachtintheharbor。Didshesucceed？"

"Wedonotknow；theboatonlyarrivedatdaybreak。Theyareprobablyonthelaunchthatiscominginnow。"

AsBarratsippedhiscoffeeandmunchedhisrollswiththesilentenergyofahungryman，theColonelturnedandstrodeupanddowntheterrace，pullingathismustacheandglancingsideways。WhentheBaronhadlightedacigaretteandthrownhimselfbackinhischair，Erhaupthaltedandsurveyedhiminsomeanxiety。

"Youhavebeengoneovertwoweeks，"hesaid。"Ishouldliketoseeyouaccomplishasmuchinasshortatime，"growledtheother。"YouknowParis。Youknowhowharditistogetpeopletobeseriousthere。Ihadthedevil’sowntimeatfirst。Yougotmycablegram？"

"Yes；itwasn’tencouraging。"

"Well，Iwasn’thopefulmyself。Theywouldn’tbelieveawordofitatfirst。TheysaidLouishadn’tshownsuchgreatloveforhiscountryorhispeoplesincehisexilethattheycouldfeelanyconfidenceinhim，andthathisconductinthelastsixyearsdidnotwarranttheirjoininganyundertakinginwhichhewasconcerned。Youcan’tblamethem。They’vebackedhimsomanytimesalready，andthey’vebeenbitten，andthey’reshy，naturally。ButIsworehewasrepentant，thathesawtheerrorofhisways，thathewantedtositoncemorebeforehediedonthethroneofhisancestors，andthathefeltitwasduetohissonthatheshouldmakeanefforttogethimbackhisbirthright。Itwasthesonwonthem。

`ExhibitA’Icallhim。NoneofthemwouldhearofituntilI

spokeofthePrince。SowhenIsawthat，Itoldthemhewasafinelittlechap，healthyandmanlyandbrave，anddevotedtohispriest，andallthatrot，andtheybegantolisten。AtfirsttheywantedhisMajestytoabdicate，andgivetheboyaclearroadtothecrown，butofcourseIhushedthatup。I

toldthemwewereactingadvisedly，thatwehadreasontoknowthatthecommonpeopleofMessinaweresickoftheRepublic，andwantedtheirKing；thatLouislovedthecommonpeoplelikeafather；thathewouldre—establishtheChurchinallherpower，andthatFatherPaulwasworkingdayandnightforus，andthattheVaticanwasbehindus。ThenIdealtoutdecorationsandafewtitles，whichLouishasmadesmellsoconfoundedlyranktoHeaventhatnobodywouldtakethem。Itwaslikeagame。Iplayedonenoblegentlemanagainstanother，andgavethisoneaportraitoftheKingoneday，andtheotheraminiatureof`ExhibitA’thenextandtheygrewjealous，andmettogether，andtalkeditover，andfinallyunlockedtheirpockets。TheycontributedaboutL9，000

betweenthem。Thentheenthusiasmspreadtothewomen，andtheygavemetheirjewels，andalotofyoungstersvolunteeredfortheexpedition，andsixofthemcameonwithmeinthetrainlastnight。IwontwothousandfrancsfromthatboyCellinionthewaydown。They’reallstayingattheContinental。Ipromisedthemanaudiencethismorning。"

"Good，"commentedtheColonel，"good——L9，000。Isupposeyoutookoutyourcommissioninadvance？"

"Itookoutnothing，"returnedtheother，angrily。"Ibroughtitallwithme，andIhavealetterfromeachofthemstatingjustwhatheorshesubscribedtowardtheexpedition，——theDukeDantiz，somuch；theDukeD’Orvay，50，000francs；theCountessMattini，adiamondnecklace。Itisallquiteregular。Iplayedfair。"TheColonelhadstoppedinhiswalk，andhadbeenpeeringeagerlydowntheleafypaththroughthegarden。"IsthatnotZaracomingnow？"heasked。"Look，youreyesarebetterthanmine。"

Barratrosequickly，andthetwomenwalkedforward，andbowedwiththeeasycourtesyofoldcomradestoatall，fairgirlwhocamehurriedlyupthesteps。TheCountessZarawasayoungwoman，butonewhohadstoodsolongonguardagainsttheworld，thatthestrainhadtold，andhereyeswerehardanduntrustful，sothatshelookedmucholderthanshereallywas。Herlifewasoftwoparts。Therewaslittletobetoldofthefirstpart；shewasanEnglishgirlwhohadcomefromamanufacturingtowntostudyartandlivealoneinParis，whereshehadbeentooindolenttowork，andtoobrillianttoremainlongwithoutcompanionseagerforhersociety。Throughthemandthestoriesofherwitandherbeauty，shehadcometoknowtheKingofMessina，andwiththatmeetingthesecondpartofherlifebegan；forshehadfoundsomethingsoattractive，eitherinhistitleorinthecynicalhumorofthemanhimself，thatforthelasttwoyearsshehadfollowedhisfortunes，andMissMurielWinter，artstudent，hadbecometheCountessZara，andanuncrownedqueen。Shewasbeautiful，withgreatmassesofyellowhairandwonderfulbrowneyes。

Hermannerwhenshespokeseemedtoshowthatshedespisedtheworldandthoseinitalmostasthoroughlyasshedespisedherself。

OnthemorningofherreturnfromMessina，sheworeabluesergeyachtingsuitwithagolfcloakhangingfromhershoulders，andasshecrossedtheterraceshepullednervouslyatherglovesandheldoutherhandcoveredwithjewelstoeachofthetwomen。

"Ibringgoodnews，"shesaid，withanexcitedlaugh。"WhereisLouis？"

"IwilltellhisMajestythatyouhavecome。Youaremostwelcome，"theBaronanswered。

Butasheturnedtothedooritopenedfromtheinsideandthekingcametowardthem，shiveringandblinkinghiseyesinthebrightsunlight。Itshowedthewrinklesandcreasesaroundhismouthandtheblueveinsunderthemottledskin，andthetinylinesatthecornersofhislittlebloodshoteyesthatmarkedthepaceatwhichhehadlivedastruthfullyastheringsonatree—trunktellofitsquietgrowth。

Hecaughtuphislongdressing—gownacrosshischestasthoughitwereamantle，andwithaquickglancetoseethattherewerenootherwitnessestohisdeshabille，bentandkissedthewoman’shand，andtakingitinhisownstrokeditgently。

"MydearMarie，"helisped，"itislikeheaventohaveyoubackwithusagain。Wehavefeltyourabsenceeveryhour。

Praybeseated，andpardonmyrobe。Isawyouthroughtheblindsandcouldnotwait。Tellusthegloriousnews。TheBaron’sgoodwordsIhavealreadyoverheard；IlistenedtothemwithgreatentertainmentwhileIwasdressing。Ihopedhewouldsaysomethingdiscourteousorfoolish，buthewasquitediscreetuntilhetoldErhauptthathehadkeptbacknoneofthemoney。ThenIlostinterest。Fictionisneversoentertainingtomeasthetruthandrealpeople。Buttellusnowofyourmissionandofallyoudid；andwhethersuccessfulornot，beassuredyouaremostwelcome。"

TheCountessZarasmiledathimdoubtfullyandcrossedherhandsinherlap，glancinganxiouslyoverhershoulder。

"Imustbeverybrief，forKalonayandFatherPaulareclosebehindme，"shesaid。"Theyonlystoppedforamomentatthecustom—house。Keepwatch，Baron，andtellmewhenyouseethemcoming。"

Barratmovedhischairsothatitfacedthegarden—path，theKingcrossedhislegscomfortablyandwrappedhispaddeddressing—robecloseraroundhisslightfigure，andErhauptstoodleaningonthebackofhischairwithhiseyesfixedonthefineinsolentbeautyofthewomanbeforethem。

Shenoddedherheadtowardthesoldierswhosatattheentrancetotheterrace，assilentandimmovableasblindbeggarsbeforeamosque。"Dotheyunderstand？"sheasked。

"No，"theKingassuredher。"Theyunderstandnothing，butthattheyaretokeeppeopleawayfromme——andtheydoitverywell。IwishIcouldimportthemtoParistohelpNiccolasfightoffcreditors。Continue，wearemostimpatient。"

"WeleftherelastSundaynight，asyouknow，"shesaid。"WepassedAlgiersthenextmorningandarrivedofftheislandatmid—day，anchoringoutsideintheharbor。WeflewtheRoyalYachtSquadron’spennant，andanowner’sprivatesignalthatweinventedonthewaydown。Theysentmeashoreinaboat，andKalonayandFatherPaulcontinuedonalongthesouthernshore，wheretheyhavebeenmakingspeechesinallthecoast—townsandexcitingthepeopleinfavoroftherevolution。IheardofthemoftenwhileIwasatthecapital，butnotfromthem。ThePresidentsentacompanyofcarbineerstoarrestthemtheverynighttheyreturnedandsmuggledmeonboardtheyachtagain。WeputoffassoonasIcameoverthesideandsaileddirectlyhere。

"AssoonasIlandedonTuesdayIwenttotheHoteldeMessina，andsentmycardtothePresident。HeisthatmanPalaccio，thehotel—keeper’sson，themanyousentoutofthecountryforwritingpamphletsagainstthemonarchy，andwholivedinSicilyduringhisexile。Hegavemeanaudienceatonce，andItoldmystory。AsheknewwhoIwas，IexplainedthatIhadquarrelledwithyou，andthatIwasnowpreparedtosellhimthesecretsofanexpeditionwhichyouwerefittingoutwiththeobjectofre—establishingyourselfonthethrone。

Hewouldn’tbelievethattherewasanysuchexpedition，andsaiditwasblackmail，andthreatenedtogivemetothepoliceifIdidnotleavetheislandintwenty—fourhours——hewasexceedinglyrude。SoIshowedhimreceiptsforammunitionandriflesandMaximguns，andcopiesoftheoathofallegiancetotheexpedition，andpapersoftheyacht，inwhichshewasdescribedasanarmoredcruiser，andherapidlygrewpolite，evenhumble，andImadehimapologizefirst，andthentakemeouttoluncheon。Thatwasthefirstday。Theseconddaytelegramsbegantocomeinfromthecoast—towns，sayingthatthePrinceKalonayandFatherPaulwerepreachingandexcitingthepeopletorebellion，andtravellingfromtowntotowninaman—of—war。Thenhewasfrightened。ThePrincewithhispopularityinthesouthwasalarmingenough，butthePrinceandFatherSuperiortohelphimseemedtomeantheendoftheRepublic。

"IlearnedwhileIwasdowntherethatthepeoplethinkthefatherputsomesortofabanoneveryonewhohadanythingtodowithdrivingtheDominicanmonksoutoftheislandandwiththedestructionofthemonasteries。Idon’tknowwhetherhedidornot，buttheybelievehedid，whichisthesamething，andthatsuperstitiouslittlebeast，thePresident，certainlybelievedit；heattributedeverythingthathadgonewrongontheislandtothatcause。Why，ifasecondcousinofthewifeofabrotherofoneofthemenwhohelpedtofireachurchfallsoffhishorseandbreakshislegtheysaythatheisunderthecurseoftheFatherSuperior，andtherearemanywhobelievetheRepublicwillneversucceeduntilPaulreturnsandtheChurchisre—established。TheGovernmentseemstohavekeptitselfwellinformedaboutyourMajesty’smovements，andithasneverfeltanyanxietythatyouwouldattempttoreturn，anditdidnotfeartheChurchpartybecauseitknewthatwithoutyouthepriestscoulddonothing。ButwhenPaul，whomthecommonpeoplelookuponasalivingsaintandmartyr，returnedhandinhandwithyourmanFriday，theywereinapanicandfeltsuretheendhadcome。SothePresidentcalledahastymeetingofhisCabinet。AndsuchaCabinet!Iwishyoucouldhaveseenthem，Louis，withmeinthecentreplayingonthemlikeanadvocatebeforeajury。TheywerethemostdreadfulmenIevermet，bourgeoisandstupidanduglytoadegree。Twoofthemwerecommission—merchants，andoneofthemisoldDr。Gustavanni，whokeptthechemist’sshopinthePiazzaRoyale。Theywerequitesillywithfear，andtheybeggedmetotellthemhowtheycouldavertthefalloftheRepublicandpreventyourlanding。AndIsaidthatitwasentirelyaquestionofmoney；thatifwewerepaidsufficientlytheexpeditionwouldnotlandandwewouldleavetheminpeace，butthat————"

TheKingshiftedhislegsuneasily，andcoughedbehindhisthin，pinkfingers。

"Thatwasratherindiscreet，wasitnot，Marie？"hemurmured。

"TheideawastomakethemthinkthatI，atleast，wassincere；wasnotthatit？Tomakeitappearthatthoughthereweretraitorsinhiscamp，theKingwasinmostdesperateearnest？Iftheybelievethat，yousee，itwillallowmetoraiseanotherexpeditionassoonasthemoneywegetforthisoneisgone；butifyouhaveletthemknowthatIamtheonewhoissellingout，youhavekilledthegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs。Theywillneverbelieveuswhenwecrywolfagain————"

"Youmustletmefinish，"Zarainterrupted。"Ididnotinvolveyouintheleast。IsaidthatthereweretraitorsinthecampofwhomIwastheenvoy，andthatiftheywouldpayus300，000francswewouldpromisetoallowtheexpeditiononlytoleavetheyacht。Theirtroopscouldthenmakeashowofattackingourlanding—partyandwewouldraisethecryof`treachery’andretreattotheboats。Bythiswewouldaccomplishtwothings，——wewouldsatisfythosewho，hadcontributedfundstowardtheexpeditionthatwehadatleastmadeanhonesteffort，andyourMajestywouldbediscouragedbysuchtreacheryfromeverattemptinganotherattack。ThemoneywastobepaidtwoweekslaterinParis，tomeortowhoeverbringsthisringthatIwear。Theplanwefinallyagreeduponisthis：TheyachtistoanchoroffBasnainextThursdaynight。Athightide，whichisjustaboutdaybreak，wearetolowerourboatsandlandourmenonthatlongbeachtothesouthofthebreak—water。ThetroopsoftheRepublicaretoliehiddenintherocksuntilourmenhaveformed。

Thentheyaretofireovertheirheads，andwearetoretreatingreatconfusion，returntotheyacht，andsailaway。Twoweekslatertheyaretopaythemoneyintomyhands，or，"sheadded，withasmile，assheheldupherfourthfinger，"towhoeverbringsthisring。AndIneednotsaythattheringwillnotleavemyfinger。"

Therewasamoment’spause，asthoughthemenwerewaitingtolearnifshehadmoretotell，andthentheKingthrewbackhisheadandlaughedsoftly。HesawErhaupt’sfaceabovehisshoulder，filledwiththeamazementandindignationofamanwhoasaduellistandasasoldierhadshownacertainbrutecourage，andtheKinglaughedagain。

"Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Colonel？"hecried，gayly。"Theyareanoblerace，mylatesubjects。"

"Bah!"exclaimedtheGerman。"Ididn’tknowweweredealingwithahomeforoldwomen。"

TheBaronlaughedcomfortably。"Itisliketakingmoneyfromablindbeggar’shat，"hesaid。

"Why，withtwohundredmenthatIcouldpickupinLondon，"

Erhauptdeclared，contemptuously，"Iwouldguaranteetoputyouonthethroneinafortnight。"

"Heavenforbid!"exclaimedhisMajesty。"Sotheysurrenderedasquicklyasthat，didthey？"heasked，noddingtowardMadameZaratocontinue。

TheCountessglancedagainoverhershoulderandbitherlipsinsomechagrin。Hereyesshowedherdisappointment。"Itmayseemaneasyvictorytoyou，"shesaid，consciously，"butI

doubt，knowingallthecircumstances，ifanyofyourMajesty’sgentlemencouldhaveservedyouaswell。Itneededawomanand————"

"Itneededabeautifulwoman，"interruptedtheKing，quickly，inatonethathewouldhaveusedtoaspoiledchild。"Itneededawomanoftact，awomanofcourage，awomanamongwomen——theCountessZara。Donotimagine，Marie，thatweundervalueyourpart。ItistheirlackofcouragethatdistressesColonelErhaupt。"

"Oneofthem，itistrue，didwishtofight，"theCountesscontinued，withasmile；"aFrenchmannamedRenauld，whomtheyhaveputinchargeofthearmy。Hescoffedatthewholeexpedition，buttheytoldhimthataforeignercouldnotunderstandastheydidthedangerofthepopularityofthePrinceKolonay，who，byaspeechortwoamongtheshepherdsandfishermen，couldraiseanarmy。"

TheKingsnappedhisfingersimpatiently。

"Anarmyofbrigandsandsmugglers!"heexclaimed。"Thatforhispopularity!"Butheinstantlyraisedhishandsasthoughinprotestathisownwarmthofspeechandinapologyforhisoutbreak。

"Hiszealwillruinusintime。Heisdeucedlyintheway，"

hecontinued，inhisusualtoneofeasycynicism。"Weshouldhavelethimintoourplansfromthefirst，andthenifhechosetotakenopartinthemwewouldatleasthavehadafreehand。Asitisnow，wehavethreedifferentpeopletodeceive：thisCabinetofshopkeepers，whichseemseasyenough；

FatherPaulandhisfanaticsoftheChurchparty；andthisapostleofthedivinerightofkings，Kalonay。Andheandthegoodfatherarenotfools————"

AtthesewordsMadameZaraglancedagaintowardthegarden，andthistimewithsuchevidentuneasinessinherfacethatBarrateyedherwithquicksuspicion。

"Whatisit？"heasked，sharply。"Thereissomethingyouhavenottoldus。"

ThewomanlookedattheKing，andhenoddedhisheadasthoughinassent。"Ihadtotellthemwhoelsewasintheplotbesidesmyself，"shesaid，speakingrapidly。"IhadtogivethemthenameofsomemanwhotheyknewwouldbeabletodowhatIhavepromisedwecoulddo——whocouldputastoptotherevolution。ThenameIgavewashis——Kalonay’s。"

Barratthrewhimselfforwardinhischair。

"Kalonay’s？"hecried，incredulously。

"Kalonay’s？"echoedErhaupt。"Whatmadness，Madame!Whynametheonlyonewhoissincere？"

"Shewillexplain，"saidtheKing，inanuneasyvoice；"letherexplain。Shehasactedaccordingtomyordersandforthebest，butIconfessI————"

"Someonehadtobesacrificed，"returnedthewoman，boldly，"andwhynothe？Indeed，ifwewishtosaveourselves，thereiseveryreasonthatitshouldbehe。YouknowhowmadheisfortheKing’sreturn，howhehimselfwishestogetbacktotheislandandtohisoldpositionthere。Why，Godonlyknows，butitisso。Whatpleasurehefindsinalandofmistsandfogs，inaruinedcastlewithpoachersandsmugglingfishermenforcompanions，Icannotcomprehend。Butthefactremains，healwaysspeaksofitashomeandhewishestoreturn。Andnow，supposehelearnsthetruth，ashemayatanymoment，anddiscoversthatthewholeexpeditionforwhichheisstakinghissoulandlifeisatrick，afarce；thatweuseitonlyasabaittodrawmoneyfromtheoldnobility，andtofrightentheRepublicintopayingustoleavetheminpeace？Howdoweknowwhathemightnotdo？HemaytellthewholeofEurope。Hemayturnonyouandexposeyou，andthenwhathaveweleft？Itisyourlastchance。Itisourlastchance。Wehavetriedeverythingelse，andwecannotshowourselvesinEurope，atleastnotwithoutmoneyinourhands。

ButbynamingKalonayIhavemanageditsothatwehaveonlytoshowthewrittenagreementIhavemadewiththeRepublicandheissilenced。InittheyhavepromisedtopaythePrinceKalonay，naminghiminfull，300，000francsiftheexpeditioniswithdrawn。Thatagreementisinmyhands，andthatisouranswertowhateverhemaythinkorsay。Ourwordisasgoodashis，orasbad；weareallofthesamepartyasfarasEuropecares，anditbecomesafallingoutamongthieves，andweareequal。"

BaronBarratleanedforwardandmarkedeachwordwithamovementofhishand。

"DoIunderstandyoutosay，"heasked，"thatyouhaveapapersignedbytheRepublicagreeingtopay300，000francstoKalonay？Thenhowarewetogetit？"hedemanded，incredulously。"Fromhim？"

"Itismadepayabletohim，"continuedthewoman，"ortowhoeverbringsthisringIweartothebanking—houseoftheSchlevingenstwoweeksaftertheexpeditionhaslefttheisland。IexplainedthatclausetothembysayingthatKalonayandIwereworkingtogetheragainsttheKing，andashemightbesuspiciousifwewerebothtoleavehimsosoonafterthefailureoftheexpeditionwewouldbesatisfiediftheygavethemoneytowhicheveronefirstpresentedthering。

SupposeIhadsaid，"shewenton，turningtotheKing，"thatitwaseitherBarratortheColonelherewhohadturnedtraitor。TheyknowtheBaronofold，whenhewasChamberlainandranyourroulettewheelatthepalace。Theyknowheisnotthemantoturnbackanexpedition。AndtheColonel，ifhewillpardonme，hassoldhisservicessooftentoonesideoranotherthatitwouldhavebeendifficulttomakethembelievethatthistimeheissincere。ButKalonay，themantheyfearmostnexttoyourMajesty——tohavehimturntraitor，why，thatwasamasterstroke。Eventhoseboors，stupidastheyare，sawthat。Whentheymadeouttheagreementtheyputdownallhistitles，andlaughedastheywrotethemin。

`PrinceJudas’theycalledhim，andtheywereinecstasiesattheideaofthearistocratsuingforblood—moneyagainsthissovereign，ofthemantheyfearedshowinghimselftobeonlyacommonblackmailer。Itdelightedthemtofindaprinceroyalsunklowerthanthemselves，thismanwhohastreatedthemlikecurs——likethecurstheyare，"shebrokeoutsuddenly——"likethecurstheyare!"

Sheroseandlaugheduneasilyasthoughatherownvehemence。

"Iamtired，"shesaid，avoidingtheKing’seyes；"thetriphastiredme。Ifyouwillexcuseme，Iwillgotomyrooms——throughyourhall—way，ifImay。"

"Mostcertainly，"saidtheKing。"Itrustyouwillberestedbydinner—time。Aurevoir，myfairambassadrice。"

Thewomannoddedandsmiledbackathimbrightly，andLouiscontinuedtolookafterherasshedisappeareddownthecorridor。Herubbedthebackofhisfingersacrosshislips，andthoughtfullyexaminedhisfinger—nails。

"Iwonder，"hesaid，afterapause，lookingupatBarrat。TheBaronraisedhiseyebrowswithaglanceofpoliteinterrogation。

"IwonderifKalonaydaredtomakelovetoheronthewaydown。"

TheBaron’sfacebecameasexpressionlessasadeath—mask，andheshruggedhisshouldersinprotest。

"——OrdidshemakelovetoKalonay？"theKinginsisted，laughinggently。"Iwondernow。Idonotcaretoknow，butI

wonder。"

AccordingtotraditiontheKalonayfamilywasanolderonethanthatoftheHouseofArtois，anditsnamehadalwaysbeentheonenextinimportancetothatofthereigninghouse。ThehistoryofMessinashowedthatdifferentmembersoftheKalonayfamilyhadfoughtanddiedfordifferentkingsofArtois，andhadenjoyedtheirfavorandsharedtheirreverseswithequaldignity，andthattheyhadstoodlikearampartwhenthekingdomwasinvadedbythelevellingdoctrinesofRepublicanismandequality。AndthoughtheKalonaysweremenofstouterstuffthantheircousinsofArtois，theyhadnevertriedtousurptheirplace，buthadsetanexampletothehumblestshepherdofunfailingloyaltyandgood—willtotheKingandhislady。ThePrinceKalonay，whohadaccompaniedtheDominicanmonktoMessina，wasthelastofhisrace，andwhenLouisIV。hadbeendrivenofftheisland，hehadfollowedhissovereignintoexileasamatterofcourse，andwithhiscustomarygood—humor。Hisestates，inconsequenceofthisstep，hadbeentakenupbytheRepublic，andKalonayhadacceptedthelossphilosophicallyasthepriceonepaysforlovingaking。HefoundexileeasytobearinParis，andespeciallysoashehadneverrelinquishedtheideathatsomedaytheKingwouldreturntohisownagain。Sofirmlydidhebelieveinthis，andsokeenlywashisheartsetuponit，thatLouishadneverdaredtolethimknowthatforhimselfexileinParisandtheRivierawasvastlytobepreferredtoauthorityoverarockyislandhungwithfogs，andinhabitedbydullmerchantsandfiercebanditti。

TheconductoftheKingduringtheirresidenceinPariswouldhavetriedtheloyaltyofonelessgayandcarelessthanKalonay，forhewasasorrymonarch，andiftheprinciplethat"theKingcandonowrong"hadnotbeenbredintheyoungPrince’smind，hewouldhavedesertedhissovereignintheearlydaysoftheirexile。Butasitwas，hemadeexcusesforhimtoothersandtohimself，andservedtheKing’sidlepurposessowellthathegainedforhimselfthenameoftheKing’sjackal，andthereweresomewhoregardedhimaslittlebetterthantheKing’sconfidentialblackguard，andmanFriday，theweakestifthemostcharmingofhiscourtofadventurers。

AtthefirsthintwhichtheKinggaveofhisdesiretoplacehimselfagaininpower，KalonayhadceasedtobehisJackalandwouldhaveissuedforthasacommander—in—chief，hadtheKingpermittedhim；butitwasnottoLouis’spurposethatthePrinceshouldknowtherealobjectoftheexpedition，soheassigneditspreparationtoErhaupt，anddespatchedKalonaytothesouthoftheisland。AtthesametimeMadameZarahadbeensenttothenorthoftheisland，ostensiblytosoundthesentimentoftheoldnobility，butinrealitytomakecapitaloutofthepresencethereofKalonayandFatherPaul。

TheKingrosehurriedlywhentheslimfigureofthePrinceandthebroadshouldersandtonsuredheadofthemonkappearedatthefarthestendofthegarden—walk。

"Theyarecoming!"hecried，withaguiltychuckle；"soI

shallrunawayandfinishdressing。IleaveyoutoreceivethefirstshockofKalonay’senthusiasmalone。Iconfessheboresme。Remember，thestoryMadameZaratoldthemintheyachtistheoneshetoldusthismorning，thatnoneoftheoldroyalistsatthecapitalwouldpromiseusanyassistance。

Becarefulnow，andplayyourpartsprettily。Weareallterriblyinearnest。"

Kalonay’senthusiasmhadnotspentitselfentirelybeforetheKingreturned。Hehadstillanumberofamusingstoriestotell，andhereviewedtheadventuresofthemonkandhimselfwithsuchvivacityandhumorthattheKingnoddedhisheadindelight，andeventhepriestsmiledindulgentlyattherecollection。

Kalonayhadseatedhimselfononeofthetables，withhisfeetonachairandwithacigaretteburningbetweenhisfingers。

Hewasahandsome，darkyoungmanofthirty，withtheimpulsivemannerofaboy。Dissipationhadleftnotraceonhisface，andhiseyeswereasinnocentofevilandasbeautifulasagirl’s，andaseloquentashistongue。"MaytheMariaSantissimapitythegirlstheylookupon，"hisoldSpanishnurseusedtosayofthem。ButKalonayhadshownpityforeveryonesavehimself。HistrainingatanEnglishpublicschool，andlaterasasoldierintheEcolePolytechniqueatParis，hadsavedhimfromatooearlyfall，andmenlikedhiminstinctively，andthewomenmuchtoowell。

"Itwasgoodtobebackthereagain，"hecried，withahappysigh。"Itwasgoodtoseethecloudsfollowingeachotheracrosstheoldmountainsandthrowingblackshadowsonthecampagna，andtohearthepeople’spatoisandtotasteMessinianwineagainandtoknowitwasfromyourownhillside。Allouroldkeeperscamedowntothecoasttomeetus，andtoldmeaboutthestag—hunttheweekbefore，andwhowasmarried，andwhowasinjail，andwhohadbeenhangedforshootingacustomsofficer，andtheypromisedfinedeerstalkingifIgetbackbeforethesnowleavestheridges，fortheysaythedeerhavenotbeenhuntedandarerunningwild。"

Hestoppedandlaughed。"Iforgot，"hesaid，"yourMajestydoesnotcarefortherudepleasuresofmyhalfoftheisland。"Kalonaythrewawayhiscigarette，claspinghishandsbeforehimwithasuddenchangeofmanner。

"Butseriously，"hecried，"asIhavebeentellingthem——I

wishyourMajestycouldhaveheardtheofferstheymadeus，andcouldhaveseenthetearsrunningdowntheirfaceswhenweassuredthemthatyouwouldreturn。Iwishedathousandtimesthatwehadbroughtyouwithus。Withyouatourheadwecansweeptheislandfromoneendtotheother。Wewillgatherstrengthandforceaswego，asalandslidegrows，andwhenwereachthecapitalwewillstrikeitlikeahumanavalanche。

"AndIwishyoucouldhaveheardhimspeak，"Kalonaycried，hisenthusiasmrisingasheturnedandpointedwithhishandatthepriest。"Thereistheleader!Hemademybloodturnhotwithhisspeeches，andwhenhehadfinishedIusedtofindmyselfstandingonmytiptoesandshoutingwiththerest。

WithouthimIcouldhavedonenothing。Theyknewmetoowell；

butthelaziestrascalsinthevillagecametowelcomehimagain，andthewomenandmenweptbeforehimandbroughttheirchildrentobeblessed，andfellontheirkneesandkissedhissandals。Itwaslikethestoriestheytellyouwhenyouareachild。Hemadeussobwithregretandhefilleduswithfreshresolves。Oh，itisverywellforyoutosmile，youoldcynics，"hecried，smilingathisownfervor，"butItellyou，IhavelivedsinceIsawyoulast!"

Theprieststoodsilentwithhishandshiddeninsidehisgreatsleeves，andhisheadrisingerectandrigidfromhiscowl。

Theeyesofthemenwereturneduponhimcuriously，andheglancedfromonetotheother，asthoughmistrustingtheirsympathy。

"Itwasnotme——itwastheChurchtheycametowelcome。Thefools，"hecriedbitterly，"theythoughttheycoulddestroythefaithofthepeoplebybanishingtheservantsoftheChurch。Assoonendamother’sloveforherchildrenbyputtinganoceanbetweenthem。Forsixyearsthosepeasantshavebeentrue。Ileftthemfaithful，Ireturnedtofindthemfaithful。Andnow——"heconcluded，lookingsteadilyattheKingasthoughtoholdhimtoaccount，"andnowtheyaretohavetheirreward。"

TheKingbowedhisheadgravelyinassent。"Theyaretohavetheirreward，"herepeated。Heroseandwithawaveofhishandinvitedthepriesttofollowhim，andtheywalkedtogethertotheotherendoftheterrace。WhentheywereoutofhearingoftheotherstheKingseatedhimself，andthepriesthaltedbesidehischair。

"Iwishtospeakwithyou，father，"Louissaid，"concerningthisyoungAmericangirl，MissCarson，whohaspromisedtohelpus——tohelpyou——withhermoney。Hasshesaidyethowmuchshemeanstogiveus，"askedtheKing，"andwhenshemeanstoletushaveit？Itisadelicatematter，andIdonotwishtourgethelady，butwearereallygreatlyinneedofmoney。BaronBarrat，whoarrivedfromParisthismorning，bringsbacknosubstantialaid，althoughthesympathyoftheoldnobility，heassuresme，iswithus。Sympathy，however，doesnotpurchaseMaximguns，norpayforrations，andMadameZara’svisittothecapitalwas，asyouknow，evenlesssuccessful。"

"YourMajestyhasseenMissCarson，then？"thepriestasked。

"Yes，hermotherandshehavebeenstayingattheContinentaleversincetheyfollowedyouherefromParis，andIhaveseenheronceortwiceduringyourabsence。Theyoungladyseemsanearnestdaughterofourfaith，andsheisdeeplyinsympathywithourefforttore—establishyourorderandtheinfluenceoftheChurchupontheisland。IhaveexplainedtoherthattheonlywayinwhichtheChurchcanregainherfootingthereisthroughmyreturntothethrone，andMissCarsonhashintedthatsheiswillingtomakeevenalargercontributionthantheoneshefirstmentioned。Ifshemeanstodothis，itwouldbewellifshediditatonce。"

"PerhapsIhavemisunderstoodher，"saidthepriest，afteramoment’sconsideration；"butIthoughtthesumshemeanttocontributewastobegivenonlyafterthemonarchyhasbeenformallyestablished，andthatshewishedwhatevershegavetobeusedexclusivelyinrebuildingthechurchesandthemonastery。IdonotgrudgeittoyourMajesty’spurpose，butsoIunderstoodher。"

"Ah，thatisquitepossible，"returnedLouis，easily；"itmaybethatshedidsointendatfirst，butsinceIhavetalkedwithhershehasshownawillingdispositiontoaidusnotonlylater，butnow。Mysuccessmeansyoursuccess，"hecontinued，smilingpleasantlyasherosetohisfeet，"soI

trustyouwillurgehertobeprompt。Sheseemstohaveunlimitedresourcesinherownright。Doyouhappentoknowfromwhencehermoneycomes？"

"Hermothertoldme，"saidthepriest，"thatMr。Carsonbeforehisdeathownedminesandrailroads。TheyliveinCalifornia，neartheMissionofSaintFrancis。IhavewrittenconcerningthemtotheFatherSuperiorthere，andhetellsmethatMr。

Carsondiedaveryrichman，andthathewasagenerousservantoftheChurch。Hisdaughterhasbutjustinheritedherfather’sfortune，andheroneideaofusingitistogiveittotheChurch，ashewouldhavedone。"

ThepriestpausedandseemedtoconsiderwhattheKinghadjusttoldhim。"Iwillspeakwithher，"hesaid，"andaskheraidasfullyasshecangiveit。MayIinquirehowfaryourMajestyhastakenherintoourplans？"

"MissCarsonisfullyinformed，"theKingrepliedbriefly。

"Andifyouwishtospeakwithheryoucanseehernow；sheandhermotherarecomingtobreakfastwithmetoheartheaccountofyourvisittotheisland。Youcanspeakwithherthen——and，father，"theKingadded，loweringhiseyesandfingeringtheloosesleeveofthepriest’srobe，"itwouldbewell，Ithink，tohavethispresentationoftheyoungnoblesimmediatelyaftertheluncheon，whileMissCarsonisstillpresent。Wemightevenmakealittleceremonyofit，andsoshowherthatsheisfullyinourconfidence——thatsheisoneofourmostvaluedsupporters。Itmightperhapsquickenherinterestinthecause。"

"Iseenoreasonwhythatshouldnotbe，"saidthepriest，thoughtfully，turninghiseyestotheseabelowthem。"MadameZara，"headded，withoutmovinghiseyes，"willnotbepresent。"

TheKingstraightenedhimselfslightly，andforabriefmomentoftimelookedatthepriestinsilence，butthemonkcontinuedtogazesteadilyatthebluewaters。

"MadameZarawillnotbepresent，"theKingrepeated，coldly。

"Thereareafewfishermenandmountaineers，yourMajesty，"

thepriestcontinued，turninganunconsciouscountenancetotheKing，"whocamebackwithusfromtheisland。TheycomeasadeputationtoinformyourMajestyofthewelcomethatwaitsyou，andIhavepromisedthemanaudience。IfyouwillpardonmeIwouldsuggestthatyoureceivethesehonestpeopleatthesametimewiththeothers，andthathisHighnesstheCrownPrincebealsopresent，andthathereceivethemwithyou。TheiranxietytoseehimisonlysecondtotheirdesiretospeaktoyourMajesty。Youwillfindsomeofyourmostloyalsubjectsamongthesemen。TheirforefathershavebeenfaithfultoyourhouseandtotheChurchformanygenerations。"

"Excellent，"saidtheKing；"IshallreceivethemimmediatelyafterthedeputationfromParis。ConsultwithBaronBarratandKalonay，please，aboutthedetails。IwisheitherKalonayoryourselftomakethepresentation。IseeMissCarsonandhermothercoming。Afterluncheon，then，at，say，threeo’clock——willthatbesatisfactory？"

"AsyourMajestypleases，"thepriestanswered，andwithabowhestrodeacrosstheterracetowhereKalonaystoodwatchingthem。

II

Mrs。CarsonandherdaughtercamefromthehoteltotheterracethroughthehallwaywhichdividedtheKing’sapartments。BaronBarratprecededthemandtheyfollowedinsinglefile，MissCarsonwalkingfirst。Itwasapositionhermotheralwaysforceduponher，andafterpeoplegrewtoknowthemtheyaccepteditasillustratingMrs。Carson’sconfidenceinherdaughter’sabilitytocareforherself，aswellasherownwishtoremaininthebackground。

PatriciaCarson，asshewasnamedafterherpatronsaint，or"Patty"Carson，asshewascalledmorefrequently，wasanexceedinglyprettygirl。Shewastallandfair，withasmilethatshowedsuchconfidenceineveryoneshemetthatfewcouldfindthecouragetoundeceiveherbybeingthemselves，anditwaseasier，inthefaceofsuchanappealashereyesmadetothebestineveryone，foreachtoactapartwhilehewaswithher。Shewasyoung，impressionable，andabsolutelyinexperienced。Asalittlegirlshehadlivedonagreatranch，whereshecouldgallopfromsunrisetosunsetoverherownprairieland，andlaterherlifehadbeenspentinaconventoutsideofParis。Shehadbuttwogreatemotions，herloveforherfatherandfortheChurchwhichhadnursedher。

Herfather’sdeathhadsanctifiedhimandgivenhimaplaceinherheartthathermothercouldnothold，andwhenshefoundherselfattwenty—onethemistressofagreatfortune，heroneideaastothedisposalofitwastodowithitwhatwouldbestpleasehimandtheChurchwhichhadbeentherulingpowerinthelifeofbothofthem。Shewasquiteunconsciousofherbeauty，andhermodeofspeakingwassimpleandeager。

ShehaltedasshecameneartheKing，andrestinghertwohandsonthetopofherlaceparasol，noddedpleasantlytohimandtotheothers。Sheneithercourtesiednorofferedhimherhand，butseemedtopreferthismiddlecourse，leavingthemtodecidewhethersheactedasshedidfromignoranceorfromchoice。

AstheKingsteppedforwardtogreethermother，MissCarsonpassedhimandmovedontowheretheFatherSuperiorstoodapartfromtheothers，talkingearnestlywiththePrince。

Whathewassayingwasofanunwelcomenature，forKalonay’sfaceworeanexpressionofboredomandpoliteprotestwhichchangedinstantlytooneofdelightwhenhesawMissCarson。

Thegirlhesitatedandmadeadeepobeisancetothepriest。

"IamafraidIinterruptyou，"shesaid。

"Notatall，"Kalonayassuredher，laughing。"Itisamostwelcomeinterruption。Thegoodfatherhasbeenfindingfaultwithme，asusual，andIamquitewillingtochangethesubject。"

Thepriestsmiledkindlyonthegirl，andwhileheexchangedsomewordsofwelcomewithher，Kalonaybroughtuponeofthehugewickerchairs，andsheseatedherselfwithherbacktotheothers，facingthetwomen，whostoodleaningagainstthebroadbalustrade。Theyhadbeenfellow—conspiratorssufficientlylongforthemtohavegrowntoknoweachotherwell，andthepriest，sofarfromregardingherasanintruder，hailedheratonceasaprobableally，andendeavoredtobeginagainwherehehadceasedspeaking。

"Doyounotagreewithme，MissCarson？"heasked。"IamtellingthePrincethatzealisnotenough，andthathighideals，unlesstheyareaccompaniedbygoodconduct，arefutile。Iwanthimtochange，tobemoresober，morestrict————"

"Oh，youmustnotaskme，"MissCarsonsaid，hurriedly，smilingandshakingherhead。"Weareworkingforonlyonething，arewenot？Beyondthatyouknownothingofme，andI

knownothingofyou。Icametohearofyourvisit，"shecontinued；"amItobetoldanything？"sheasked，eagerly，lookingfromonetotheother。"Ithasbeensuchananxioustwoweeks。Weimaginedallmannerofthingshadhappenedtoyou。"

Kalonaylaughedhappily。"TheFatherwasprobablyneversaferinhislife，"hesaid。"Theytookustotheirheartslikebrothers。Theymighthavesuffocateduswithkindness，butwewereinnootherdanger。"

"Thenyouareencouraged，Father？"sheasked，turningtothepriest。"Youfoundthemloyal？Yourvisitwasallyouhoped，youcandependuponthem？"

"Wecancountuponthemabsolutely，"themonkassuredher。

"Weshallstartonourreturnvoyageatonce，inaday，assoonashisMajestygivestheword。"

"TherearesomanythingsIwanttoknow，"thegirlsaid；"butIhavenorighttoask，"sheadded，lookingupathimdoubtfully。

"Youhaveeveryright，"themonkanswered。"Youhavecertainlyearnedit。Withoutthehelpyougaveuswecouldnothavemoved。Youhavebeenmorethangenerous————"

MissCarsoninterruptedhimwithanimpatientliftingofherhead。"Thatsortofgenerosityisnothing，"shesaid。"Withyoumenitisdifferent。Youareallriskingsomething。Youareactuallyhelping，whileImustsitstillandwait。I

hope，Father，"shesaid，smiling，"itisnotwrongformetowishIwereaman。"

"Wrong!"exclaimedKalonay，inatoneofmockdismay；"ofcourseit’swrong。It’swicked。"

ThemonkturnedandlookedcoldlyoverhisshoulderatKalonay，andthePrincelaughed。

"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid，"butwearetoldtobecontentedwithourlot，"heargued，impenitently。"`Heonlyisaslavewhocomplains，’andthatistrueevenifahereticdidsayit。"

ThemonkshookhisheadandturnedagaintoMissCarsonwithatolerantsmile。

"Heisveryyoung，"hesaid，asthoughKalonaydidnothearhim，"andwildandfoolish——andyet，"headded，doubtfully，"I

findIlovetheboy。"Heregardedtheyoungmanwithakindbutimpersonalscrutiny，asthoughhewereapictureorastatue。"SometimesIimagineheisallImighthavebeen，"hesaid，"hadnotGodgivenmethestrengthtoovercomemyself。

Hehasneverdeniedhimselfinanything；heisaswilfulandcapriciousasagirl。Hemakesanoblefriend，MissCarson，andagenerousenemy；butheisspoiledirretrievablybygoodfortuneandgoodlivingandgoodhealth。"Thepriestlookedattheyoungmanwithacertainsadseverity。"`Unstableaswater，thoushaltnotexcel，’"hesaid。

Thegirl，ingreatembarrassment，turnedherheadaway，glancingfromtheoceantothesky；butKalonayseatedhimselfcoollyonthebroadbalustradeoftheterracewithhishandsonhiships，andhisheelsrestingonthemarbletiling，andclickedthesolesofhisbootstogether。

"Oh，Ihavehadmybaddays，too，Father，"hesaid。Heturnedhisheadononeside，andpressedhislipstogether，lookingdown。

"Unstableaswater——thatisquitepossible，"hesaid，withanairofconsideration；"butspoiledbygoodfortune——oh，no，thatisnotfair。Doyoucallitgoodfortune，sir，"helaughed，"tobeanexileattwenty—eight？Isitgoodfortunetobetoopoortopayyourdebts，andtoolazytowork；tobethelastofagreatname，andtohavenochancetoaddtothegloryofit，andnomeanstokeepitsdignityfreshandsecure？DoyoufancyIliketoseemyselfdriftingfartherandfartherawayfromtheoldstandardsandtheoldtraditions；tohaveEnglishbrewersandGermanJewbankerstakingtheplaceIshouldhave，buyingtitleswiththeirearningsandsnubbingmebecauseIcanonlyhuntwhensomeonegivesmeamount，andbecauseIchoosetotakeapurseinsteadofacupwhenweshootatMonteCarlo？"

"Whatchild’stalkisthis？"interruptedthepriest，angrily。

"Athousandhorsescannotmakeamannoble，norwaspovertyeverignoble。Youtalklikeaweakboy。Everywordyousayisyourowncondemnation。Whyshouldyoucomplain？Yourbedisofyourownmaking。Theotherprodigalwasforcedtoherdwiththeswine——youhavechosentoherdwiththem。"

Thegirlstraightenedherselfandhalfrosefromherchair。

"YouareboringMissCarsonwithmydelinquencies，"saidthePrince，sternly。Hisfacewasflushed，andhedidnotlookeitheratthegirloratthepriest。

"Buttheprodigal’sfather？"saidMissCarson，smilingattheolderman。"Didhestandoverhimandupbraidhim？Youremember，hewenttomeethimwhenhewasyetagreatwayoff。

Thatwasit，wasitnot，Father？"

"Ofcoursehedid，"criedKalonay，laughinglikeaboy，andslippinglightlytotheterrace。"Hemethimhalfwayandgavehimthebesthehad。"HesteppedtoMissCarson’ssideandthetwoyoungpeoplemovedawaysmiling，andthepriest，seeingthattheywereabouttoescapehim，criedeagerly，"Butthatprodigalhadrepented。Thisone————"

"Let’srun，"criedthePrince。"Hewillgetthebestofusifwestay。Healwaysgetsthebestofme。Hehasbeenabusingmethatwayfortwoweeksnow，andheisalwayssorryafterward。Letusleavehimalonetohissorrowandremorse。"

KalonaywalkedacrosstheterracewithMissCarson，bendingaboveherwithwhatwouldhaveseemedtoanoutsideralmostaproprietaryright。Shedidnotappeartonoticeit，butlookedathimfranklyandlistenedtowhathehadtosaywithinterest。Hewasspeakingrapidly，andashespokeheglancedshylyatherasthoughseekingherapprobation，andnotboldly，ashewasaccustomedtodowhenhetalkedwitheithermenorwomen。Tolookatherwithadmirationwassuchacheapformofappreciation，andonesodistastefultoher，thathadheknownit，Kalonay’savertedeyesweremoreofacomplimentthananywordshecouldhavespoken。Hiscompanionswhohadseenhimwithotherwomenknewthathismannertoherwasnothisusualmanner，andthathegavehersomethinghedidnotgivetotheothers；thathewasmorediscreetandlessready，andlessatease。

ThePrinceKalonayhadfirstmetMissCarsonandhermotherbychanceinParis，attheroomsofFatherPaul，wheretheyhadeachgoneonthesameerrand，andsincethatmeetinghiswholemannertowardthetwoworldsinwhichhelivedhadalteredsostrangelythatmereacquaintancesnoticedthechange。

Beforehehadmether，thelittlethepriesthadsaidconcerningherandherzealfortheircommondesirehadpiquedhiscuriosity，andhisimaginationhadbeenarousedbythepictureofaromanticyoungwomangivingherfortunetosavethesoulsofthepeopleofMessina；hispeoplewhomheregardedandwhoregardedhimlessasafeudallordthanasafatherandacomrade。Hehadpicturedherasanervous，angularwomanwithapale，asceticface，andwiththerestlesseyesofanenthusiast，dressedinblackandbadlydressed，andwithasevereandnarrowintelligence。Buthehadpreparedhimselftoforgiveherpersonality，forthesakeofthehighandgenerousimpulsethatinspiredher。Andwhenhewaspresentedtoherasshereallywas，andfoundheryoung，lovable，andnoblyfair，theshockofwonderanddelighthadheldhimsilentduringthewholecourseofherinterviewwiththepriest，andwhenshehadleftthemhisbrainwasinatumultandwasfilledwithmemoriesofherwordsandgestures，andofthesweetfearlessnessofhermanner。Beautifulwomenhehadknownbeforeasbeautifulwomen，butthesavinggraceinhisnaturehadneverbeforebeensodeeplyrousedbywhatwasfineaswellasbeautiful。Itseemedasthoughitweretoocompleteandperfect。Forheassuredhimselfthatshepossessedeverything——thosequalitieswhichhehadnevervaluedbeforebecausehebelievedthemtobeunattainable，andthoseotherswhichhehadmadehisidols。Shewaswithhim，mindandheartandsoul，intheonedesireofhislifethathetookseriously；shewasofhisreligion，shewasmorenoblethanhisnoblesisters，andshewasmorebeautifulthantheday。Inthefirstglowofthemeetingitseemedtohimasthoughfatehadcalledthemtodothisworktogether，——shefromthefarshoreofthePacific，andhefromhisrockyislandintheMiddleSea。Andhesawwithcrueldistinctness，thatiftherewereonethingwanting，itwashimself。Heworshippedherbeforehehadbowedhisfirstgood—bytoher，andthatnighthewalkedformilesupanddownthelonglengthsoftheavenueoftheChamps—Elysees，facingthegreatchangethatshehadbroughtintohislife，butknowinghimselftobeutterlyunfitforhercoming。Hefeltlikeanunworthystewardcaughtathismaster’sreturnunprepared，withungirtloins，andunlightedlamp。Nothinghehaddonesincehewasachildgavehimtherighttoconsiderhimselfherequal。Hewasnotblindedbytheapproacheswhichotherdaughtersandthemothersofdaughtershadmadehim。Heknewthatwhatwasenoughtoexcusemanythingsintheireyesmightfindnoapologyinhers。Helookedbackwiththeawakeningofachildattheirrevocableactsinhislifethatcouldnotbealterednordugupnorhiddenaway。Theymarkedtheroadhehadtroddenlikeheavymilestones，tellinghisstorytoeverypasser—by。Shecouldreadthem，aseveryoneelsecouldreadthem。Hehadwastedhissubstance，hehadbarteredhisbirthrightforamoment’spleasure；therewasnoonesolowanddespicablewhocouldnotcallhimcomrade，towhomhehadnotgivenhimselfwithoutreserve。Therewasnothingleft，andnowtheonethinghehadeverwantedhadcome，andhadfoundhimlikeabankrupt，hiscreditwastedandhiscoffersempty。HehadplacedhimselfatthebeckandcallofeveryidlemanandwomaninParis，andhewasascommonasthegreatclock—facethathangsabovetheboulevards。

MissCarson’sfeelingstowardKalonaywerenotofherownchoosing，andhadpassedthroughseveralstages。Whentheyhadfirstmetshehadthoughtitmostsadthatsocarelessandunprincipledapersonshouldchancetoholdsoimportantapartinthetaskshehadsetherselftodo。Sheknewhisclassonlybyhearsay，butsheplacedhiminit，and，accordingly，atoncedismissedhimasapersonfromhermind。

Kalonayhadnevershownherthathelovedher，exceptbythosesignswhichanywomancanreadandwhichnomancanconceal；

buthedidnotmakelovetoher，anditwasthatwhichfirstprepossessedherinhisfavor。Oneortwoothermenwhoknewofherfortune，andtowhomshehadgivenaslittleencouragementasshehadtoKalonay，hadbeenlessconsiderate。Buthisattitudetowardherwasalwaysthatofafellow—workerinthecommoncause。Hetreatedherwithagratitudeforthehelpshemeanttogivehispeoplewhichmuchembarrassedher。Hisseriousnesspleasedherwithhim，seeing，asshedid，thatitwasnothisnaturetobeserious，andhisenthusiasmandloveforhishalf—civilizedcountrymenincreasedherinterestinthem，andherlikingforhim。Shecouldnothelpbutadmirethewayinwhichheaccepted，withoutforcinghertomakeitanyplainer，thefactthatheheldnoplaceinherthoughts。Andthenshefoundthathebegantoholdmoreofaplaceinherthoughtsthanshehadsupposedanymancouldholdofwhomsheknewsolittle，andofwhomthelittlesheknewwassoill。Shemissedhimwhenshewenttothepriest’sandfoundthathehadnotsentforKalonaytobearhispartintheircouncils；andattimesshefeltanunworthywishtohearKalonayspeaktheverywordsshehadadmiredhimforkeepingfromher。Andatlastshelearnedthetruththatshedidlovehim，anditfrightenedher，andmadehermiserableandhappy。TheyhadnotseeneachothersincehehadleftParisforMessina，andthoughtheyspokenowonlyofhismissiontotheisland，therewasbackofwhattheysaidthejoyforeachofthemofbeingtogetheragainandoffindingthatitmeantsomuch。Whatitmightmeantotheother，neitherknew。

ForsomelittletimetheKingfollowedthetwoyoungpeoplewithhiseyes，andthenjoinedthem，makingsignstoKalonaythathewishedhimtoleavethemtogether；butKalonayremainedblindtohissignals，andBarrat，seeingthatitwasnotatete—a—tete，joinedthemalso。WhenhedidsoKalonayaskedtheKingforaword，andlayinghishanduponhisarmwalkedwithhimdowntheterrace，pointingostensiblytowheretheyachtlayintheharbor。Louisansweredhispantomimewithanappropriategesture，andthenasked，sharply，"Well，whatisit？Whydidyoubringmehere？Andwhatdoyoumeanbystayingonwhenyouseeyouarenotwanted？"

Theyweresomedistancefromtheothers。Kalonaysmiledandmadeaslightbow。"YourMajesty，"hebegan，withpoliteemphasis。TheKinglookedathimcuriously。

"Intheolddaysundersimilarcircumstances，"thePrincecontinued，withtheairofacourtierratherthanthatofanequal，"hadIthoughtofforminganalliancebymarriage，I

shouldhavecometoyourMajestyfirstandaskedyourgraciousapproval。Butthosedaysarepast，andwearelivingattheendofthecentury；andwedosuchthingsdifferently。"HestraightenedhimselfandreturnedtheKing’slookofamusedinterestwithoneascynicalashisown。"WhatIwantedtotellyou，Louis，"hesaid，quietly，"isthatImeantoaskMissCarsontobecomethePrincessKalonay。"

TheKingraisedhisheadquicklyandstaredattheyoungermanwithalookofdistasteandsurprise。Hegaveanincredulouslaugh。

"Indeed？"hesaidatlast。"Therewasalwayssomethingaboutrichwomenyoucouldneverresist。"

ThePrincemadehisacknowledgmentwithashrugofhisshouldersandsmiledindifferently。

"Ididn’texpectyoutounderstand，"hesaid。"Itdoesseemodd；it’squiteasdifficultformetounderstandasforyou。

Ihavebeenthroughitagreatmanytimes，andIthoughtI

knewalltherewasofit。Butnowitseemsdifferent。No，itdoesnotseemdifferent，"hecorrectedhimself；"itisdifferent，andIlovetheladyandImeantoaskhertodomethehonortomarryme。Ididn’texpectyoutounderstand，I

don’tcareifyoudo。Ionlywantedtowarnyou。"

"Warnme？"interruptedtheKing，withanunpleasantsmile。

"Indeed!againstwhat？Yourtoneisatrifleperemptory——butyouareinteresting，mostinteresting!Kalonayinanewrole，Kalonayinlove!Mostinteresting!Warnmeagainstwhat？"herepeatedsharply。

"YourMajestyhasacertainmanner，"thePrincebegan，withapretenceofhesitation，"acharmofmanner，Imightsay，whichisproverbial。Itis，weknow，attractivetowomen。Everywomanacknowledgesit。ButyourMajestyissometimestoogracious。Hepermitshimselftocondescendtomanywomen，toanywoman，towomenofallclasses————"

"Thatwilldo，"saidtheKing；"whatdoyoumean？"

"WhatImeanisthis，"saidKalonay，loweringhisvoiceandlookingintotheKing’shalf—closedeyes。"YoucanhaveallofMissCarson’smoneyyouwant——allyoucanget。Idon’twantit。IfIamto——marryheratall，Iamnotmarryingherforhermoney。Youcan’tbelievethat。Itisn’tessentialthatyoushould。ButIwantyoutoleavethewomanIhopetomakemywifealone。Iwillallownoprettyspeeches，norroyalattentions。Shecangivehermoneywhereshepleases，nowandalways；butI’llnothavehereyesopenedto——asyoucanopenthem。Iwillnothaveherannoyed。Andifsheis————"

"Ah，andifsheis？"challengedtheKing。Hiseyeswerewideapartnowandhislipswerepartedanddrawnbackfromhisteeth，likeasnarlingcat————

"Ishallholdwhoeverannoysherresponsible，"Kalonayconcluded，impersonally。

Therewasamoment’spause，duringwhichthetwomenstoodregardingeachotherwarily。

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