An Imperial Marriage

if Bessie had not put on her hat and vowed that she would go with her wherever she went. Then

tangles by letting the facts be told about the Prince von Graven, and to ge

ered the letter in person. He professed himself greatly distressed at what had occurred; but

ut upon me to induce me to abandon my--to consent to my betrothal to the

c step like this would be taken on s

drastic, isn't it? But you know the

he office of Count von Felsen; will you

ely at daggers drawn. He is jealous of the favour wi

an to fidget uneasily at this. "I mean explain the mistake and

ve even an open betrothal. What can I do?" Where Chalice was c

ee her at once,"

e the greatest favour in the world," he exc

o see that we should do little with him. He had his own battle to fight at Court, and that was more than

gave my card to the servant, and she took it first into a room leading off the hall, and then carried it upstairs. While I was waiting, a dark, striking-loo

shady methods I had had to investigate on more than one occasion while I had been on the New

lthea, and was not therefore surprised when she received

d. "But you catch me in deshabille. I was practising." As a matter of fact she was rather elaborately gow

at such an hour and without notice; b

f course I've been terribly anxious about

ze with you

pted this as quite genuine. "Everyone is so go

what occurred yes

me out. Well, when I came home, Althea was gone, instead of having some tea ready for me. And when I asked where she

quite true. An attempt

other feeling in this. No grief, no concern even.

ecause of the mistake you have allowed peopl

to keep these tiresome secrets from one's friends. I couldn't tell you before, could I? You see, it was

asp the real gravity of

wouldn't have dear Althea get into an

let the truth as to the

es, everything eloquent of indignant surprise at

e Prince is eager to

" She threw up her hands as though it were impossible to estimate the fame awaiting her. "How can you be so cru

ther a question whether you are to ru

cry. "Do you mean that Althea wishes this? That s

if it should be known that she is t

te artless innocence; and then added quickly: "Besides, in tha

Your future depends upon your securing the favour of the Court. Now, if you were to submit yourself to the Emperor's will in the matter of the Imperial marriage and sacrifice your wishes in regard to the Prince because you have just heard of

e with the light of ambitious desire. "Oh, Her

quiries? I have frien

onely girl could have in the world. But we

e the man you

gnation. "It would be terrible," she murmured. "But there is d

s soon as I had any news to bring; and before I left the house, I h

n close conversation with Hugo von Felsen; and as I did not wish him to know

after me. "Ah, Herr Bastable! It is you then," he s

much concerned to tell

eturned? Isn't that an

time to discuss

ard of your change of plans, too, when you were actually at the st

nly a strong recommendation," I r

unt of that chat of ours the other night at the Ohlsen's dance--about Fr?ulein Althea. But I

ang whether you b

really I wish to be your friend, and to

em talk

r sudden change of plans yesterday; the hurried visit of Prince von Graven to your house

you can do is to answer them in your own way. G

off the unpleasant impression his words had made. He had certainl

love for Althea; he had hinted at the probable effect of the Kaiser's anger; it was from his father's office that the order for the arrest had come;

had laid stress on his admiration for Althea. He could not wish to see a g

to me that morning showed that some one was shadowing the Prince, and the spy had carried the news str

einers were Jews, and she might well be a friend. I recalled her manner when she had come hurrying out as I stood in the hall.

the best thing would be for us to smuggle Althea ou

port the result of my interview with Chalice; and Be

rived, Paul," she said

he wasn't to come

her room and see her at once"; and she turned and

wanted to have in the house at such a time. I followed Bessie, wo

her about Alt

e, pausing with her hand on the door-knob. "And you'd better be careful. She ha

ght, her long greyish curls straggling over her s

che after your journey, Aunt Charlotte,"

ngers in a way I knew well. I just touched them. "I am very

t unnecessary caution, for I was not moving. "Men are so rough, are they not,

he room, and Bessie called "Hus

mmonly like suppressed laughter; and as I reached the sofa again, Bessie got up giggling

Paul," cried Bessie. "One would sup

e. Those curls took me in; they

It's the wig she le

you stand up so that I can se

s work," said Alth

n the street, and I am sure I should if you had a veil on"; a

Wasn't she in terrible

at you would be all right and

and Althea was as firm as ever in her resolve not to do anything which would prejudic

lsen. I have the idea that he is in some way mixed up in this. Ca

re than once; and the only benefit I ever had from the supposed attentions of the Prince was a relief

thin

ort for Paul,"

u think it possible he can have guessed

s it. Why do

other he is at the bottom of all the trouble. I don't understand it y

ying anything of von Felsen's su

wever, and recognized to the