Princess Maritza

De Froilette remained s

ntingency he had

he?" he ask

d entered a shop there. I followed her, but she was gone. I called myself her servant, and inquired about her, making the sign that has so long been used by her partisans to secur

ed into his plans. He had himself given them reason for watching him, and the opportunity of doing so. That was past and beyond

ently. "I had not intended to go to Co

we find the Pri

do that. Matters will be for our benefit i

s possible. A portrait of Queen Elena stood on a side table, and he got up a

to consider the course of events in such a case-"who knows? My reward might come the easier. There would be few shelters open to her. Only in defeat through Princess Maritza's influence is there danger to me. Success or failure otherwise, what does it matter? I shall w

the negative, remained at the head of the stairs, speaking a few words to this acquaintance and to that, bowing a well-tu

f a dozen times to greet acquaintances. He, too, was in excelle

f, going toward the Ambassador as he reached the

lette. Ah, a private word is it?" he

my greatest esteem,

overton

rance predominant in the affairs of this

sieur, I say frankly, France i

s might affect, and therefore I take some notice of politics. Perhaps I see more clearly than some, my lord-the

to hear it,

me, my lord, I will a

is the gre

be pleased to learn that I have received no notificat

, any little information I can give you, I shall give gladly. Regard for yourself

nfidence, and you will b

Froilette. And he lowered his voice as he leane

lia at presen

nchman. "Making a tour

an honored guest and unf

e way while the prese

asts; is i

al acumen is

herever she may be, is not the Princess, but a substitute. It need

sharply toward him, an

nswered the un

incess Maritza is

ng wh

less take means to find out. Comman

been very ill advised. I gather, monsieur, that your business affairs would suf

t there is a selfish

, and together they c

had leaned confidentially forward toward the Ambassador, and she hastily greeted a friend, keeping her standing at the top of the stairs while they talked. She had good reason to be curious regarding

her and found her

king me for another woman that night

indeed, I

to have reserved so

hy

might deman

ut to deman

nd keep me near Lord

ncurred your di

reasons for

N

you tr

ld trust

d satisfied, and then

underneath that? Do

n women." They followed Lord Cloverton across the rooms, and she noticed every one to whom he spoke. Presently he stood to w

Countess said. "May I beg another favor, Captain Ellerey

eenly. It took him some time to find her servants, and as he returned he met Lord

sy, quickl

down the stairs as Lo

id. "I have a habit o

sk one. Only this afternoon Lord Cloverton was pleased to tell me that he looked upon

u if I can. One word, monsieur. You neither trust women nor men, so perchance the

you give me that me

nd for him; but he helped the Countess into her carriage and seated himself beside her. She refused to be serious as they drove through the city, and when Ellerey entered his lodging he was left to wonder at what point the incidents of the evening touched his mission. W

aps, and possessed of much more heart than head. She seemed to take delight in such criticism, and to be at some pains to fully merit it. But there was another side to her character which few persons ever got even a glimpse of. Her profound knowledge of current politics would have startled Lord Cloverton, and her capacity for intrigue and scheming would have astonished even Monsieur De Froilette into admiration. There were few clubs and societies in Sturatzberg, whe

y her side, and she plucked a petal at intervals which she crushed and let fall. Something of the girl's character seemed to be in the action. She was not weary, not worn out with the day's work or pleasure, whichever it might have been, but was waiting anxiously, irritabl

lowers," she said, seeing the

em. Has Dumitr

t co

ed the girl, half-rising from her reclining position. "I ca

out of Devon to a heathen place like this; but that time is past." And she went to the door and beckoned to a man to come in

, Dum

ng and standing erect. "He went straight

d t

rt, Pri

mitru-was it in my i

erce clicking sou

the Queen a little, and for himself very much. Have you st

nce, D

d another visitor to-da

in great requisition, i

-strong, resolute, and rides as tho

have looked into his f

ed the man. "Besides, honest o

said imperiously, as though not only th

leamed as he just showed the keen, thin bla

tily. The man bowed low, disappointed perhaps t

when the time comes. That Lord Cloverton has visited him shows that some new pressure is to be brought to b

en him," said Dumitru. "He has a few desp

e sure

te s

w for love of h

follow more readily for

man's information had set her thoughts running in a new channel

owed low

rly," said

rned to

would be well to watch. I do not think it will happen to-nig

en he had gone she turned to her compani

or whether you had again jeopardized your cause by going so op

wh

is master returned to-day, and to-night I found Monsieur De Froilette and Lord Cloverton in confidential conversation. When two men

ed of ina

t is to have such a reputation for empty-headedness as I have. No doubt De Froilette played a trump card in telling Lord Cloverton of your presence in Sturatzberg. The task of finding you will occupy the Minister's attention for a

t to him," sai

itru watches by

a plan. I have had plenty of lonely hours in which to mature plans.

ing openly into the city ha

y friends i

is the enemies who happen to b

e," Maritza answered. "We should advance a

d you any real hope of being in Sturatzberg? Yet you are here. Had you even a suspicion that Jule

r. Who knows what injury he may not have done to my cause in these two yea

e De Froilette," said Frina.

wl and held it to her face, as though she were a

ou, to-night," she said. "That was wis

the laugh that the Princess l

llingly, most wi

o win him t

I am a woman

d t

we run on too fast.

told you, I once met Captain Ellerey. I told him who I was, and

d him th

he is a man," the

aightened a fold of her dress, while Maritza bent to inhale the perfume of the flowers in