An Imperial Marriage

such a course might involve us in some way with the a

kerchief to your face as you enter. We have one German servant, Gretchen, and she ha

rived and had explained that I had missed the train. She kissed Althea and fussed over her in

d to be left alone with Althea, I went off at once. It turned out to be lucky that I did, for Lieutenant von Bernhoff, a

ou off, and Dormund told me you weren't going. From what he

ourney. I'm on my way to wire to my people at home. Come with me." He was no favourite of mine, and as a frie

tions about Bessie, the reason for her having to wear spectacles, and so

e place is all sixes and sevens on account of

hope? Dormund told me you we

him, but he might mi

grin. "I had promised to introduce him to your sis

said carelessly, repressing a smile at wha

ay to introduce him," he

ood fellow. But not unti

"; and with this somewhat cryptic re

ing else about the "Bessie" he had seen at the station to start vo

e matter lightly, for a burst of merry laughte

ace!" cried Bessie.

the colour had returned to her cheeks, as

find you like

She is wonderfu

lous mistake, Paul; and all this bother to-day appears to be the result of it. Shall I tell him?" Althea nodded. "About the Prince von Gr

ghtful little body, and she had placed herself purposely so that Althea should not see the effect upon me; and to

th a big effort I choked down my delighted s

ice, eh?" I a

st know it except yo

sly. "Even that doesn't m

hy on earth have you allowed the mistake to be made? Both

and I saw what she had told you. You know she is in my care, and tha

and sedate matron, Althea," declared Bessie. "And

lice is only twenty; and

on why you should get into all this bother

ill be to let the tru

es her voice will take the whole country by storm; and she is to make her début soon. She has a brilliant futu

to be a singer," I objected, "even suppos

thing to hurt his interests. That is

ntly. "Are you to be packed off to prison or out o

Bessie," said Alth

lk to the Prince would be

ice, and will not do an

sed to be awkward. We were silent for a while, and then I said: "You will be placed in a very ugly fix. We all kno

sly. "No, no. There are other rea

urse is for you to

ave Berlin while

ke her w

. If she left now, it

with a smile. The pos

your trunks from the stat

othing in them that w

nd while you go for them, Althea and I can talk things over. I hav

Althea. I rose, de

hing settled by the t

ember," I replied as I

with the Prince! Thank Heaven for that. And compared with that, nothing mattered. I would find some way out of the tangle, and in the meantime--well,

met me as I entered. "Ah, Herr Basta

n't travel at night

re time. All passports have to be viséd afresh. Bu

t? Anythin

the Imperial couriers of his papers. We had news from Koln and prevented it; but some of the scoundrels are known to

the trouble, anyway," I replied carel

hat Baron von Ringheim. There's no proof, of course; there never is; but proof or no proof, I'd p

him on the brain,

retorted almost angrily. "But get the evening

ed himself with all parties who had grievances against the Government; had been very active in the work of sedition; and was credited with having originated a policy of combination among them for the c

that if I go to-morrow I must get my p

re after you left this afternoon. He came to bid you good-bye, he said; but I suppose it was mo

ws what may ha

the honour to present me to your sister this afternoon

pleasure will be mutual," I said with a smile, the

." He was pleased

Dormund, I've been thinking a good deal about

now he

ore than the words implied and he smiled. "I can't bring myself t

lly, but there can be no harm in my saying that the

er copy," I laughed. "

d he excused himself. I bought the evenin

ount von Felsen's office might mean that it was connected with her supposed relations with Prin

me very important State papers, and these had all but fallen into the hands of those who had attempted to steal them. The same thing had been done mor

ndition that any well-aimed blow might hamper those in power dangerously. If the old Baron was at the bottom of it, he was certainly a very astu

gly shock. I caught the name, "ALTHEA KORPER,"

arning all who connived at her escape or gave her shelter that they would render th

It was impossible to believe that so drastic a step as this would be taken merely

a girl merely because a man had fallen in love with her, and a Court marriage

row any light on it, and warn her. We should have to steer a very

t in my pocket, and when I reached home I wa

o remain with us for a tim

day or two," I said to Althea, as lightly as I could. "There has been some bother with

?" she asked. "I am

ruck me forcibly. I gave her the paper, and sai

ing to tell you," she said, looking up from th

ed Bessie. "We shan't le

s evidently the reason for my arrest. I have misled every one. I did it for Chalice's sake. My name is not Korper at all

I looked at Bessi

in silence. She read it at a glance, and read also my meaning--that

back to me w

had a quarrel with Gretchen. She was ins

h me in the resolve to stand by Althea,