The Princess Dehra

corridor from the King's, and in

!" she cried,

yet, sweetheart," he said, "

nd regarded him in

ar," she said; "sure

head and we

ecree!" she exclaimed

he said, "the box is empty

did she interrupt-when he mentioned the Duke's unexpected entrance-then she struck her hand sharply on the table at her

nd, she

cil-I can at least assure they won't make Lotzen

m around her wais

ht to mix in this unfortunate

en suddenly she smiled-that sweet, adorable smile she ever had for him. "Be very careful, sir, or

ghtfully, then smiled

claim your Crown; it's yours by right, and

to rebel, dea

he Ministers sprang to their feet and stood waiting, while Ferdinand of Lotzen advanced and bowed low; not offeri

Dehra extended her ha

ld you were still in Lotzenia." The words were so innoc

amusement struggling for control, while Arman

es demanded, and which, with men, a woman must measure with the exactness of fine gold. And with it there was the low, sweet voice, the winning graciousness, and the dazzling smile-now softened just a trifle-that never yet had failed to conq

had to win, save with the Laws. And straightway the last faint scruple perished, and he set his cold heart against her, as well. Henceforth, f

ace, read something of his mind, and with a lift of th

, and I am glad indeed if I can serve you. His Majesty, the night before he d

decree?" Coun

of Laws open before him and a pen in his hand. He was blotting a page as I entered. 'You have made Armand's decree?' I cried, and w

e decree," the Count asked, after a paus

wered her head. "No," she said; "no

ressing silence-

unity to tell me of the decree. I was with him yesterday on

w the Book of Laws?" Epping asked, addressing

ing on the tab

hat His Majesty had been writing in the Book of Laws, you ass

e, to all the family. We had been anticipating the decree, restoring Armand to his rightful place in the Line of Succession as Hugo's heir, and hence it was very natural to assume it was that which His Majesty had written." She paused, and, for an

tisfied," he said-and Du

ister turned

to hear Your Royal

till standing behind his chair, and now he tilted it fo

il that, where kingdoms are concerned, a pretty woman is a dangerous advocate to follow

t mean to question my veracit

er, I assure you-on

at other inferenc

ulders and turned t

s that is before you confirms it. I cannot conceive that the Royal Council of

e Council to annul that decree, but only to assume from Her Royal Highne

uke retorted; "inference against fa

ain that the Book of Laws was lost. He was standing behind the

if the one of us who is to-day made king is liable to be displaced to-morrow by the other. Besides, as I understand Henry the Third's decree, the Council has no jurisdiction except by our agreement. You assert the decree of eligibility was not made by Frederick. If that be true, then, there being 'a vacancy in the royal dignity without such decree being made,' it is for the House of Nobles to enact my eligibility and so give me the

as a complete solution of the vexing problem, and one, moreover, that would relieve them of a most undesirable duty.

calm face and voice softer even than usual, he made his last play, knowing well th

ere be between you as King and you as Consort of the Princess Regent?" Then he faced the Council and flung his last card: "Otherwise, my lords," he said with suave frankness,

Armand's fingers itched to take him by the throat and choke the life out of

usin?" he repeat

k. "My lords," he said, "it seems the Duke

pised Lotzen. With the Princess as Regent, there would be ample means to swing the Nobles to the Archduke, and to prepare the public for his accession. Of course, it would also give Lotzen time to campaign, yet he who fights the government has a roug

objection made to it, yet, my lord," (addressing Lotzen) "you cannot expect the Ar

g's eye she had read an almost imperious order to wait; and having full faith in him, she had obeyed. Now she saw what he

peated, looking at her hard, "to chan

to the situation, and put in a position where I am obliged to speak. Does the R

led in suprem

f one mind that, in this exigency, i

gravely, "I accept, hereby engaging that my wed

and shook her head, and there was naught for him to do but to smile back-and ad

the Duke with a bland smile o

ed, "that we ratify the stipula

e Archduke; but

ing drew

Regent," he cried. It was the ancient

rs across the table, and his voice joined exult

he Princes

inand of Lotzen steppe

ness!" he said, and again

e strength,"

the Count gra

n who broke

he said; "there are pressing personal affairs wh

hen to the Prime Minister: "Will

and yet, in those few words, she warned them all that the

amation for your signature," said the Count

om, his surprise still stronger than his anger; though, in the end, it

lorious memory-yet, was it wise-was it in fact her duty-her duty to her House; to her beloved? Surely it was not to her pleasure-she who had been happy in her nearing wedding day-her lover placed next the Throne-his bright future and her joy for it. And now-the wait-the struggle-the obligation of right, of

riting and, laying asi

liking at any time for a woman's reverie, and none at all when it wa

nd she let him know she understood him, by a smile and a shake of her handsome head. It

ead it,"

aws, the stipulation of the Archduke and the Duke relative to the Succession remaining in abeyan

g offered, she signed it and returned it to the Count. Immediately the C

h the library, Dehra

re was the box. I can't imagine what he did with the Book-nor why he removed it from the box-a

and Adolph, the vale

Archduke, seeing

d; "you left it in the council

e vault and opened it.... "Put it on the shelf in the rear," sh

eed to lock it,

iselle," said the man. "It sn

t has.... Shut the vault door." T

Armand, as she gave the combination a twirl

all-and of a sudden the reaction came, and the tears started, and her lips twitched. She reached out h