Princess Maritza

go to the King's private apartment soon afterward. De Froilette knew that this sudden audience could only relate to one of two matters-either Lord Cloverton had made some discovery

not believe. He did not go at once to warn the Queen. It was only as the King

in a manner he was little accustomed to, and he had signally failed to make use of her in the way he desired. True, she had told him that Ellerey was with the Queen, but she had mentioned it as a circumstance of small importance. Was it? Was the casual information meant to mislead him? This frivolous woman was beginning to

, and then went to the King. It was unusual with him, but for once he had not

have affairs taken, my

I am forced to refer again to a subject which, on a former occasion, gave you some d

d, conscious of the slight embarrassme

ed your Majesty of the danger which might at any time manifest itself in a sudden development of the tactics of the brigands in the mountains. Their chief, Vasilici, may be a chief only in name, and it is certain th

King, with a smile. "Whatever their intentions may be, the fact rema

se he may lack, your brigand is not deficient in courage, and it must be remembered that t

ave been warned of the expe

k it pr

om, my

there are many in Sturatzberg who, while personally loyal to you, are not satisfied with your foreign policy; who believe that W

the outcome of ignora

Ambassador. "Such a feeling is prevalent in all grades of society in Sturat

ord!" exclaimed

s which go to make a great ruler. She has courage, diplomacy, tact, and de

for an accusation, my lord. I mus

tion in the ordinary sense of the word. Her Majesty's conception of her country's welfare is, I venture to think, an e

, let us get to the roo

be remarked and o

nd. He was rather in the position of one who draws a bow at a venture, and yet he had a shrewd suspicion in which direction the

s Captain Ellerey is a man of courage and resource, in a way an adventurer, prepared for any hazardous enterprise if he is once convinced that it is in the service of his adopted countr

n!" exclaimed the King.

ear an act which may lead to treason

estion Capt

so, but to

said the King. "Why not

d. "Captain Ellerey is

you have such suspicions it is no time for secret questionings

ed in raising the King's suspicion, he had raised his anger, which would ser

box she had shown him underneath some papers in her drawer, and then with a smile reseated

he English Ambassador were announced. The King strode into the room, a

you look troubled. I fear I spend too little tim

intrigues, or whispers of them, which call for special treatment; they a

sed?" the

on has seen f

innocently, looking t

ord Cloverton would speak. "To-night you have received Captai

hav

w for what

, then at the Ambassador, her glance

atter of no great importance, but it was essentially priv

f triumph upon the Ambassador'

ind Captain Eller

as a short one,

ow its purport," said the King.

st I may be unable to do so. Of what frivolity do I stand accused?" and she smiled at

rey upon some secret mission to the enemies of our country, seeking to do us a service, but in truth jeopa

" returned t

?" asked the Que

e?" said the King irritably. "The

is f

in her cheeks. "By your Majesty's leave, such an accusa

ord Cloverton. "Doubtless yo

oo, my lord;

ommunication with the traitors who have jo

holding communicat

ust pardon my b

le. When Captain Ellerey first came among us, he furnished us with subject for jesting by declaring that no woman had ever played a serious part in his life. I expressed a belief that such a statement would rouse feminine enthusiasm in Sturatzberg, and I have since often questioned him whether he could truthfully repeat the declaration. It was a jest, but seriousness has come of it. Captain Ellerey's ambition has flown high, even to the Countes

may have jeopardized the lady's happines

ch a thing as marriage is not to be thought of. Think of it. Frina Mavrodin and a Captain of

r all obstacles

of fostering. It was no laughing matter as his Majesty would make it, and her interference was not unnecessary, but intended to serve the State. Even were Captain Ellerey to rise to great distinction, she argued, such an alliance would still be fraught with danger. The Countess Mavrodin with her

the paper on which she had written a few lines. "I want to show her plai

his eyes from the Queen as she talked rapidly. There was no tell-ta

then that this folly,

ncerned, is a

to fin

h the lady than with the man. Her words went far to confirm my ide

e spoken

ind of man who is very capable of defending himself. A greatly daring Englishmen is an awkward man to encounter, and there seems to be a general desire to enlist the sympathy

m the Countess?"

rawn into a plot which seeks to overthrow

a plot?" she as

ver since I came to the

's persistency

ak of such plots as these, but of one particular plot, whose ramifications spread and grow from end to end of Wallaria, penetrating to the very heart of the nation as surely as tree roo

e King. "In heaven's

ver

esty delivered to Capt

ad not divulged, that the King found no words to utter. He looked helplessly at the Queen like a man who has received a blow which has dazed him for the

such token,

slightly at being giv

e was a woman

my lord," said the King

ue the matter further unless the King assi

tisfied?" said

our Ma

you have? What

ickly. It was the very q

nsufficient to hide the Ambassador's excitement. The Queen stood for a moment quite conscious of the dramatic effect of the silent pause, and then she made three rapid

r apology, Lo

h in look and gesture. It would have gone hard with any subject who had dared to accuse her. The Ambassador was obl