An Imperial Marriage

atement and not to drop a hint that I had recognized the man who had stolen away so ste

you seriously," I said i

pose you are ve

ed to be exactly

this very curtly as he opened the door again and l

e the word you gave me yesterday, an

do you

to your father's

nothing

ve you," I rap

ve you here to insul

s people on to me to see what they could do. You did this in the face of your promise to giv

about everyth

gar Ziegler. And Ziegler is going to know all about the other

d not see his hand behind that summons to his father's office. His bluster dropped away like an ill-

ou--I wish to see you happily

my jibe and turned awa

you come with me to him?" I asked in the

to do with you,"

u, I admit; but I might be

and after a pause he glanced rou

and you b

id a word," he declared w

Herr Borsen at the Count's office, and he happens to be an old frie

his--that Borsen had given him away--an

going to do? Will you come with me

three days to

and to-morrow Herr Borsen will know the othe

w, in his petty short-sighted cunning, von Felse

its. He introduced me to her, and had evidently done all he could

Berlin whom I would trust as absolutely as I would you,

id that some one who has great influence with

"I should like you to be better friends, I confess, and would do anythi

ther. "He has just telephoned me asking that the date

ho was watching me closely while he spoke, saw the

e to be the first to of

like that," she returned with

left Herr von Felsen, and, although he knew I wa

you are of my father's, he would probabl

he shot at me. He began to talk quickly about the forthcoming marriage and the ne

Bastable. About Hugo

en place in regard to Althea and von Fels

adman in his fury. His face went livid, his eyes gleamed, his lips worked spasmodically, he trembled violently, and with hands clenched tig

r amazement until the first vehem

von Felsen come at once to the house. When the reply was that he was not at home, the old man's fury broke out again. "It is a lie!" he stormed. "He knows you are here

other men's motives is not much in my way. Possibly he was eager that she should have a titled husband, and I recalled how he had appea

ing Althea what I had heard from Herr Borsen in the morning. She could no

y failed to see the thing from her standpoint, and was blind enough to think she wo

ied away, and gave place to an expression first of perplexity

d. "Oh, Mr. Bastable, don't

ry different views of

if I cannot see it as you do. But if Herr von Felsen marries this Jewes

rry him, of course," I fi

ave my father, I mean.

f my blundering. "But did you ever seriously contem

d now----." She broke off with a gesture of despa

e Prince von Graven," I replied, and went

nced you have done everything with no thought but to he

ered all along the line

se she laid her hand on my arm with a rueful smile. "You don't think I am blaming you because I am silent, Mr. Bastable, do you? I am only trying to th

at will sti

ow

and am pretty co

disposed to trust my indiscretion any longer. "H

rrow with the news about Chalice's decision, and

must not do that. That marriage

nswered with a grim smile at the

ord to Herr Borsen. That

ed. "I did not know that hope was the feeli

e. "Don't let me anger you, Mr. Bastable. I chose that word very unfortunately. It sounds as if I have done you so much l

the thought of my own cleverness, and my temper suffered because my vanity was hurt

s start with this absolute condition--that my father's p

uestion. "No, you need not doubt my discretion this time," I said in reply

oman in my curiosity. Besides, I should like

now in a d

measured by hou

rate I can assure you my own suspense will

lay behind my words I could not tell. But after a pause which was embar

a friend, Mr. Bastable," she said

o take any step in regard to this monstrous proposal of your marriage with

there is no other alternative, and not even then wi

and I can ask no

d and we discussed the position fully. "I have never quite understood

e him up to secure even such a firs

comprehensi

to be so charmed by the apparently spontaneous compliance with his wishes as well as delighted by the removal of the obstacle to this Imperia

ount von Felsen

ther is no longer capable of doing any real harm, or otherwise he could not have secured the promise of a pardon for him. Depe

e," she said brightly.

longer be the remotest reason even to doubt. Besides, Count von Felsen'

have been postponed. It would have left us

ied fervently; and then fearing that if I remained

nly her own point of view, but also my own motive. My motive in forcing von Felsen to marry Hagar had had much m

his humiliating muddle. I had put it very lightly in saying that my vanity was hurt. I had ma

agree to the postponement of the marriage. I owed that at least to Alth

time I went away leaving word that I must see him th

le distance from the hou

ble, I thin

do you wa

u to come with me. I

am arrested?

in regard to Fr?ulein Korper. It is desired to

ed with him. We passed through several streets, and pres

police statio

r prisoner under arrest here--Ephraim

to the statio

nd on my arm. "You wi

I knew that any such proceeding was quite again

zed me and thrust me inside into the arms of a couple of

quickly and, rushing forward, pressed a c

--uncons