I
TheprivateterraceoftheHotelGrandBretagne，atTangier，wasshadedbyagreatawningofredandgreenandyellow，andstrewnwithcoloredmats，andplantsinpots，andwickerchairs。ItreachedoutfromtheKingsapartmentsintotheGardenofPalms，andwashiddenbythemontwosides，andshowedfromthethirdthebluewatersoftheMediterraneanandthegreatshadowofGibraltarinthedistance。
TheSultanofMoroccohadgivenordersfromFezthattheKingofMessina，inspiteofhisincognito，shouldbetreatedduringhisstayinTangierwiththeconsiderationduetohisrank，soone—halfoftheHotelGrandBretagnehadbeensetasideforhimandhissuite，andtwosoldiersoftheBashaw’sGuardsatoutsideofhisdoorwithdrawnswords。TheywereanswerablewiththeirheadsforthelifeandsafetyoftheSultan’sguest，andastheycouldspeaknolanguagebuttheirown，theymadeavisittohisMajestymoreamatterofadventurethanofetiquette。
Niccolas，theKing’smajordomo，steppedoutupontheterraceandswepttheMediterraneanwithafield—glassforthethirdtimesincesunrise。Heloweredit，andturneddoubtfullytowardthetwosoldiers。
\"TheboatfromGibraltar——hasshearrivedyet？\"heasked。
Thetwoebonyfiguresshooktheirheadsstiffly，asthoughtheyresentedthisintroductionofaforeignlanguage，andcontinuedtoshaketheirheadsastheservantaddressedthesamequestiontotheminasuccessionofstrangetongues。
\"Well，\"saidColonelErhaupt，briskly，ashefollowedNiccolasoutupontheterrace，\"hastheboatarrived？Andthelaunchfromtheyacht，\"hecontinued，\"hasitstartedforshoreyet？\"
Themanpointedtowheretheyachtlay，amileoutsidetheharbor，andhandedhimtheglass。
\"Itisbutjustnowleavingtheship’sside，\"hesaid。\"ButI
cannotmakeoutwhocomesinher。Ah，pardon，\"headdedquickly，ashepointedtoastoutelderlygentlemanwhowalkedrapidlytowardthemthroughthegarden。\"TheGibraltarboatmustbein，sir。HereisBaronBarratcomingupthepath。\"
ColonelErhauptgaveanexclamationofsatisfaction，andwavedhishandtothenewcomerinwelcome。
\"GotellhisMajesty，\"hesaidtotheservant。
Themanhesitatedandbowed。\"HisMajestystillsleeps。\"
\"Wakehim，\"commandedErhaupt。\"TellhimIsaidtodoso。
Well，Baron，\"hecried，gayly，ashesteppedforward，\"welcome——orareyouwelcome？\"headded，withanuneasylaugh。
\"Ishouldbe。Ihavesucceeded，\"theotherrepliedgruffly，ashebrushedpasthim。\"WhereistheKing？\"
\"Hewillbehereinamoment。Ihavesenttowakehim。Andyouhavebeensuccessful？Good。Icongratulateyou。Howfarsuccessful？\"
TheBaronthrewhimselfintooneofthewickerchairs，andclappedhishandsimpatientlyforaservant。\"Twelvethousandpoundsinall，\"hereplied。\"That’smorethanheexpected。
Itwaslikepullingteethatfirst。Iwantsomecoffeeatonce，\"hesaidtotheattendant，\"andabath。ThatboatreekedwithMoorsandcattle，andtherewasnowagon—litonthetrainfromMadrid。Isatupallnight，andplayedcardswiththatyoungCellini。HaveMadameZaraandKalonayreturned？Iseetheyachtintheharbor。Didshesucceed？\"
\"Wedonotknow；theboatonlyarrivedatdaybreak。Theyareprobablyonthelaunchthatiscominginnow。\"
AsBarratsippedhiscoffeeandmunchedhisrollswiththesilentenergyofahungryman，theColonelturnedandstrodeupanddowntheterrace，pullingathismustacheandglancingsideways。WhentheBaronhadlightedacigaretteandthrownhimselfbackinhischair，Erhaupthaltedandsurveyedhiminsomeanxiety。
\"Youhavebeengoneovertwoweeks，\"hesaid。\"Ishouldliketoseeyouaccomplishasmuchinasshortatime，\"growledtheother。\"YouknowParis。Youknowhowharditistogetpeopletobeseriousthere。Ihadthedevil’sowntimeatfirst。Yougotmycablegram？\"
\"Yes；itwasn’tencouraging。\"
\"Well，Iwasn’thopefulmyself。Theywouldn’tbelieveawordofitatfirst。TheysaidLouishadn’tshownsuchgreatloveforhiscountryorhispeoplesincehisexilethattheycouldfeelanyconfidenceinhim，andthathisconductinthelastsixyearsdidnotwarranttheirjoininganyundertakinginwhichhewasconcerned。Youcan’tblamethem。They’vebackedhimsomanytimesalready，andthey’vebeenbitten，andthey’reshy，naturally。ButIsworehewasrepentant，thathesawtheerrorofhisways，thathewantedtositoncemorebeforehediedonthethroneofhisancestors，andthathefeltitwasduetohissonthatheshouldmakeanefforttogethimbackhisbirthright。Itwasthesonwonthem。
`ExhibitA’Icallhim。NoneofthemwouldhearofituntilI
spokeofthePrince。SowhenIsawthat，Itoldthemhewasafinelittlechap，healthyandmanlyandbrave，anddevotedtohispriest，andallthatrot，andtheybegantolisten。AtfirsttheywantedhisMajestytoabdicate，andgivetheboyaclearroadtothecrown，butofcourseIhushedthatup。I
toldthemwewereactingadvisedly，thatwehadreasontoknowthatthecommonpeopleofMessinaweresickoftheRepublic，andwantedtheirKing；thatLouislovedthecommonpeoplelikeafather；thathewouldre—establishtheChurchinallherpower，andthatFatherPaulwasworkingdayandnightforus，andthattheVaticanwasbehindus。ThenIdealtoutdecorationsandafewtitles，whichLouishasmadesmellsoconfoundedlyranktoHeaventhatnobodywouldtakethem。Itwaslikeagame。Iplayedonenoblegentlemanagainstanother，andgavethisoneaportraitoftheKingoneday，andtheotheraminiatureof`ExhibitA’thenextandtheygrewjealous，andmettogether，andtalkeditover，andfinallyunlockedtheirpockets。TheycontributedaboutL9，000
betweenthem。Thentheenthusiasmspreadtothewomen，andtheygavemetheirjewels，andalotofyoungstersvolunteeredfortheexpedition，andsixofthemcameonwithmeinthetrainlastnight。IwontwothousandfrancsfromthatboyCellinionthewaydown。They’reallstayingattheContinental。Ipromisedthemanaudiencethismorning。\"
\"Good，\"commentedtheColonel，\"good——L9，000。Isupposeyoutookoutyourcommissioninadvance？\"
\"Itookoutnothing，\"returnedtheother，angrily。\"Ibroughtitallwithme，andIhavealetterfromeachofthemstatingjustwhatheorshesubscribedtowardtheexpedition，——theDukeDantiz，somuch；theDukeD’Orvay，50，000francs；theCountessMattini，adiamondnecklace。Itisallquiteregular。Iplayedfair。\"TheColonelhadstoppedinhiswalk，andhadbeenpeeringeagerlydowntheleafypaththroughthegarden。\"IsthatnotZaracomingnow？\"heasked。\"Look，youreyesarebetterthanmine。\"
Barratrosequickly，andthetwomenwalkedforward，andbowedwiththeeasycourtesyofoldcomradestoatall，fairgirlwhocamehurriedlyupthesteps。TheCountessZarawasayoungwoman，butonewhohadstoodsolongonguardagainsttheworld，thatthestrainhadtold，andhereyeswerehardanduntrustful，sothatshelookedmucholderthanshereallywas。Herlifewasoftwoparts。Therewaslittletobetoldofthefirstpart；shewasanEnglishgirlwhohadcomefromamanufacturingtowntostudyartandlivealoneinParis，whereshehadbeentooindolenttowork，andtoobrillianttoremainlongwithoutcompanionseagerforhersociety。Throughthemandthestoriesofherwitandherbeauty，shehadcometoknowtheKingofMessina，andwiththatmeetingthesecondpartofherlifebegan；forshehadfoundsomethingsoattractive，eitherinhistitleorinthecynicalhumorofthemanhimself，thatforthelasttwoyearsshehadfollowedhisfortunes，andMissMurielWinter，artstudent，hadbecometheCountessZara，andanuncrownedqueen。Shewasbeautiful，withgreatmassesofyellowhairandwonderfulbrowneyes。
Hermannerwhenshespokeseemedtoshowthatshedespisedtheworldandthoseinitalmostasthoroughlyasshedespisedherself。
OnthemorningofherreturnfromMessina，sheworeabluesergeyachtingsuitwithagolfcloakhangingfromhershoulders，andasshecrossedtheterraceshepullednervouslyatherglovesandheldoutherhandcoveredwithjewelstoeachofthetwomen。
\"Ibringgoodnews，\"shesaid，withanexcitedlaugh。\"WhereisLouis？\"
\"IwilltellhisMajestythatyouhavecome。Youaremostwelcome，\"theBaronanswered。
Butasheturnedtothedooritopenedfromtheinsideandthekingcametowardthem，shiveringandblinkinghiseyesinthebrightsunlight。Itshowedthewrinklesandcreasesaroundhismouthandtheblueveinsunderthemottledskin，andthetinylinesatthecornersofhislittlebloodshoteyesthatmarkedthepaceatwhichhehadlivedastruthfullyastheringsonatree—trunktellofitsquietgrowth。
Hecaughtuphislongdressing—gownacrosshischestasthoughitwereamantle，andwithaquickglancetoseethattherewerenootherwitnessestohisdeshabille，bentandkissedthewoman’shand，andtakingitinhisownstrokeditgently。
\"MydearMarie，\"helisped，\"itislikeheaventohaveyoubackwithusagain。Wehavefeltyourabsenceeveryhour。
Praybeseated，andpardonmyrobe。Isawyouthroughtheblindsandcouldnotwait。Tellusthegloriousnews。TheBaron’sgoodwordsIhavealreadyoverheard；IlistenedtothemwithgreatentertainmentwhileIwasdressing。Ihopedhewouldsaysomethingdiscourteousorfoolish，buthewasquitediscreetuntilhetoldErhauptthathehadkeptbacknoneofthemoney。ThenIlostinterest。Fictionisneversoentertainingtomeasthetruthandrealpeople。Buttellusnowofyourmissionandofallyoudid；andwhethersuccessfulornot，beassuredyouaremostwelcome。\"
TheCountessZarasmiledathimdoubtfullyandcrossedherhandsinherlap，glancinganxiouslyoverhershoulder。
\"Imustbeverybrief，forKalonayandFatherPaulareclosebehindme，\"shesaid。\"Theyonlystoppedforamomentatthecustom—house。Keepwatch，Baron，andtellmewhenyouseethemcoming。\"
Barratmovedhischairsothatitfacedthegarden—path，theKingcrossedhislegscomfortablyandwrappedhispaddeddressing—robecloseraroundhisslightfigure，andErhauptstoodleaningonthebackofhischairwithhiseyesfixedonthefineinsolentbeautyofthewomanbeforethem。
Shenoddedherheadtowardthesoldierswhosatattheentrancetotheterrace，assilentandimmovableasblindbeggarsbeforeamosque。\"Dotheyunderstand？\"sheasked。
\"No，\"theKingassuredher。\"Theyunderstandnothing，butthattheyaretokeeppeopleawayfromme——andtheydoitverywell。IwishIcouldimportthemtoParistohelpNiccolasfightoffcreditors。Continue，wearemostimpatient。\"
\"WeleftherelastSundaynight，asyouknow，\"shesaid。\"WepassedAlgiersthenextmorningandarrivedofftheislandatmid—day，anchoringoutsideintheharbor。WeflewtheRoyalYachtSquadron’spennant，andanowner’sprivatesignalthatweinventedonthewaydown。Theysentmeashoreinaboat，andKalonayandFatherPaulcontinuedonalongthesouthernshore，wheretheyhavebeenmakingspeechesinallthecoast—townsandexcitingthepeopleinfavoroftherevolution。IheardofthemoftenwhileIwasatthecapital，butnotfromthem。ThePresidentsentacompanyofcarbineerstoarrestthemtheverynighttheyreturnedandsmuggledmeonboardtheyachtagain。WeputoffassoonasIcameoverthesideandsaileddirectlyhere。
\"AssoonasIlandedonTuesdayIwenttotheHoteldeMessina，andsentmycardtothePresident。HeisthatmanPalaccio，thehotel—keeper’sson，themanyousentoutofthecountryforwritingpamphletsagainstthemonarchy，andwholivedinSicilyduringhisexile。Hegavemeanaudienceatonce，andItoldmystory。AsheknewwhoIwas，IexplainedthatIhadquarrelledwithyou，andthatIwasnowpreparedtosellhimthesecretsofanexpeditionwhichyouwerefittingoutwiththeobjectofre—establishingyourselfonthethrone。
Hewouldn’tbelievethattherewasanysuchexpedition，andsaiditwasblackmail，andthreatenedtogivemetothepoliceifIdidnotleavetheislandintwenty—fourhours——hewasexceedinglyrude。SoIshowedhimreceiptsforammunitionandriflesandMaximguns，andcopiesoftheoathofallegiancetotheexpedition，andpapersoftheyacht，inwhichshewasdescribedasanarmoredcruiser，andherapidlygrewpolite，evenhumble，andImadehimapologizefirst，andthentakemeouttoluncheon。Thatwasthefirstday。Theseconddaytelegramsbegantocomeinfromthecoast—towns，sayingthatthePrinceKalonayandFatherPaulwerepreachingandexcitingthepeopletorebellion，andtravellingfromtowntotowninaman—of—war。Thenhewasfrightened。ThePrincewithhispopularityinthesouthwasalarmingenough，butthePrinceandFatherSuperiortohelphimseemedtomeantheendoftheRepublic。
\"IlearnedwhileIwasdowntherethatthepeoplethinkthefatherputsomesortofabanoneveryonewhohadanythingtodowithdrivingtheDominicanmonksoutoftheislandandwiththedestructionofthemonasteries。Idon’tknowwhetherhedidornot，buttheybelievehedid，whichisthesamething，andthatsuperstitiouslittlebeast，thePresident，certainlybelievedit；heattributedeverythingthathadgonewrongontheislandtothatcause。Why，ifasecondcousinofthewifeofabrotherofoneofthemenwhohelpedtofireachurchfallsoffhishorseandbreakshislegtheysaythatheisunderthecurseoftheFatherSuperior，andtherearemanywhobelievetheRepublicwillneversucceeduntilPaulreturnsandtheChurchisre—established。TheGovernmentseemstohavekeptitselfwellinformedaboutyourMajesty’smovements，andithasneverfeltanyanxietythatyouwouldattempttoreturn，anditdidnotfeartheChurchpartybecauseitknewthatwithoutyouthepriestscoulddonothing。ButwhenPaul，whomthecommonpeoplelookuponasalivingsaintandmartyr，returnedhandinhandwithyourmanFriday，theywereinapanicandfeltsuretheendhadcome。SothePresidentcalledahastymeetingofhisCabinet。AndsuchaCabinet!Iwishyoucouldhaveseenthem，Louis，withmeinthecentreplayingonthemlikeanadvocatebeforeajury。TheywerethemostdreadfulmenIevermet，bourgeoisandstupidanduglytoadegree。Twoofthemwerecommission—merchants，andoneofthemisoldDr。Gustavanni，whokeptthechemist’sshopinthePiazzaRoyale。Theywerequitesillywithfear，andtheybeggedmetotellthemhowtheycouldavertthefalloftheRepublicandpreventyourlanding。AndIsaidthatitwasentirelyaquestionofmoney；thatifwewerepaidsufficientlytheexpeditionwouldnotlandandwewouldleavetheminpeace，butthat————\"
TheKingshiftedhislegsuneasily，andcoughedbehindhisthin，pinkfingers。
\"Thatwasratherindiscreet，wasitnot，Marie？\"hemurmured。
\"TheideawastomakethemthinkthatI，atleast，wassincere；wasnotthatit？Tomakeitappearthatthoughthereweretraitorsinhiscamp，theKingwasinmostdesperateearnest？Iftheybelievethat，yousee，itwillallowmetoraiseanotherexpeditionassoonasthemoneywegetforthisoneisgone；butifyouhaveletthemknowthatIamtheonewhoissellingout，youhavekilledthegoosethatlaysthegoldeneggs。Theywillneverbelieveuswhenwecrywolfagain————\"
\"Youmustletmefinish，\"Zarainterrupted。\"Ididnotinvolveyouintheleast。IsaidthatthereweretraitorsinthecampofwhomIwastheenvoy，andthatiftheywouldpayus300，000francswewouldpromisetoallowtheexpeditiononlytoleavetheyacht。Theirtroopscouldthenmakeashowofattackingourlanding—partyandwewouldraisethecryof`treachery’andretreattotheboats。Bythiswewouldaccomplishtwothings，——wewouldsatisfythosewho，hadcontributedfundstowardtheexpeditionthatwehadatleastmadeanhonesteffort，andyourMajestywouldbediscouragedbysuchtreacheryfromeverattemptinganotherattack。ThemoneywastobepaidtwoweekslaterinParis，tomeortowhoeverbringsthisringthatIwear。Theplanwefinallyagreeduponisthis：TheyachtistoanchoroffBasnainextThursdaynight。Athightide，whichisjustaboutdaybreak，wearetolowerourboatsandlandourmenonthatlongbeachtothesouthofthebreak—water。ThetroopsoftheRepublicaretoliehiddenintherocksuntilourmenhaveformed。
Thentheyaretofireovertheirheads，andwearetoretreatingreatconfusion，returntotheyacht，andsailaway。Twoweekslatertheyaretopaythemoneyintomyhands，or，\"sheadded，withasmile，assheheldupherfourthfinger，\"towhoeverbringsthisring。AndIneednotsaythattheringwillnotleavemyfinger。\"
Therewasamoment’spause，asthoughthemenwerewaitingtolearnifshehadmoretotell，andthentheKingthrewbackhisheadandlaughedsoftly。HesawErhaupt’sfaceabovehisshoulder，filledwiththeamazementandindignationofamanwhoasaduellistandasasoldierhadshownacertainbrutecourage，andtheKinglaughedagain。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Colonel？\"hecried，gayly。\"Theyareanoblerace，mylatesubjects。\"
\"Bah!\"exclaimedtheGerman。\"Ididn’tknowweweredealingwithahomeforoldwomen。\"
TheBaronlaughedcomfortably。\"Itisliketakingmoneyfromablindbeggar’shat，\"hesaid。
\"Why，withtwohundredmenthatIcouldpickupinLondon，\"
Erhauptdeclared，contemptuously，\"Iwouldguaranteetoputyouonthethroneinafortnight。\"
\"Heavenforbid!\"exclaimedhisMajesty。\"Sotheysurrenderedasquicklyasthat，didthey？\"heasked，noddingtowardMadameZaratocontinue。
TheCountessglancedagainoverhershoulderandbitherlipsinsomechagrin。Hereyesshowedherdisappointment。\"Itmayseemaneasyvictorytoyou，\"shesaid，consciously，\"butI
doubt，knowingallthecircumstances，ifanyofyourMajesty’sgentlemencouldhaveservedyouaswell。Itneededawomanand————\"
\"Itneededabeautifulwoman，\"interruptedtheKing，quickly，inatonethathewouldhaveusedtoaspoiledchild。\"Itneededawomanoftact，awomanofcourage，awomanamongwomen——theCountessZara。Donotimagine，Marie，thatweundervalueyourpart。ItistheirlackofcouragethatdistressesColonelErhaupt。\"
\"Oneofthem，itistrue，didwishtofight，\"theCountesscontinued，withasmile；\"aFrenchmannamedRenauld，whomtheyhaveputinchargeofthearmy。Hescoffedatthewholeexpedition，buttheytoldhimthataforeignercouldnotunderstandastheydidthedangerofthepopularityofthePrinceKolonay，who，byaspeechortwoamongtheshepherdsandfishermen，couldraiseanarmy。\"
TheKingsnappedhisfingersimpatiently。
\"Anarmyofbrigandsandsmugglers!\"heexclaimed。\"Thatforhispopularity!\"Butheinstantlyraisedhishandsasthoughinprotestathisownwarmthofspeechandinapologyforhisoutbreak。
\"Hiszealwillruinusintime。Heisdeucedlyintheway，\"
hecontinued，inhisusualtoneofeasycynicism。\"Weshouldhavelethimintoourplansfromthefirst，andthenifhechosetotakenopartinthemwewouldatleasthavehadafreehand。Asitisnow，wehavethreedifferentpeopletodeceive：thisCabinetofshopkeepers，whichseemseasyenough；
FatherPaulandhisfanaticsoftheChurchparty；andthisapostleofthedivinerightofkings，Kalonay。Andheandthegoodfatherarenotfools————\"
AtthesewordsMadameZaraglancedagaintowardthegarden，andthistimewithsuchevidentuneasinessinherfacethatBarrateyedherwithquicksuspicion。
\"Whatisit？\"heasked，sharply。\"Thereissomethingyouhavenottoldus。\"
ThewomanlookedattheKing，andhenoddedhisheadasthoughinassent。\"Ihadtotellthemwhoelsewasintheplotbesidesmyself，\"shesaid，speakingrapidly。\"IhadtogivethemthenameofsomemanwhotheyknewwouldbeabletodowhatIhavepromisedwecoulddo——whocouldputastoptotherevolution。ThenameIgavewashis——Kalonay’s。\"
Barratthrewhimselfforwardinhischair。
\"Kalonay’s？\"hecried，incredulously。
\"Kalonay’s？\"echoedErhaupt。\"Whatmadness，Madame!Whynametheonlyonewhoissincere？\"
\"Shewillexplain，\"saidtheKing，inanuneasyvoice；\"letherexplain。Shehasactedaccordingtomyordersandforthebest，butIconfessI————\"
\"Someonehadtobesacrificed，\"returnedthewoman，boldly，\"andwhynothe？Indeed，ifwewishtosaveourselves，thereiseveryreasonthatitshouldbehe。YouknowhowmadheisfortheKing’sreturn，howhehimselfwishestogetbacktotheislandandtohisoldpositionthere。Why，Godonlyknows，butitisso。Whatpleasurehefindsinalandofmistsandfogs，inaruinedcastlewithpoachersandsmugglingfishermenforcompanions，Icannotcomprehend。Butthefactremains，healwaysspeaksofitashomeandhewishestoreturn。Andnow，supposehelearnsthetruth，ashemayatanymoment，anddiscoversthatthewholeexpeditionforwhichheisstakinghissoulandlifeisatrick，afarce；thatweuseitonlyasabaittodrawmoneyfromtheoldnobility，andtofrightentheRepublicintopayingustoleavetheminpeace？Howdoweknowwhathemightnotdo？HemaytellthewholeofEurope。Hemayturnonyouandexposeyou，andthenwhathaveweleft？Itisyourlastchance。Itisourlastchance。Wehavetriedeverythingelse，andwecannotshowourselvesinEurope，atleastnotwithoutmoneyinourhands。
ButbynamingKalonayIhavemanageditsothatwehaveonlytoshowthewrittenagreementIhavemadewiththeRepublicandheissilenced。InittheyhavepromisedtopaythePrinceKalonay，naminghiminfull，300，000francsiftheexpeditioniswithdrawn。Thatagreementisinmyhands，andthatisouranswertowhateverhemaythinkorsay。Ourwordisasgoodashis，orasbad；weareallofthesamepartyasfarasEuropecares，anditbecomesafallingoutamongthieves，andweareequal。\"
BaronBarratleanedforwardandmarkedeachwordwithamovementofhishand。
\"DoIunderstandyoutosay，\"heasked，\"thatyouhaveapapersignedbytheRepublicagreeingtopay300，000francstoKalonay？Thenhowarewetogetit？\"hedemanded，incredulously。\"Fromhim？\"
\"Itismadepayabletohim，\"continuedthewoman，\"ortowhoeverbringsthisringIweartothebanking—houseoftheSchlevingenstwoweeksaftertheexpeditionhaslefttheisland。IexplainedthatclausetothembysayingthatKalonayandIwereworkingtogetheragainsttheKing，andashemightbesuspiciousifwewerebothtoleavehimsosoonafterthefailureoftheexpeditionwewouldbesatisfiediftheygavethemoneytowhicheveronefirstpresentedthering。
SupposeIhadsaid，\"shewenton，turningtotheKing，\"thatitwaseitherBarratortheColonelherewhohadturnedtraitor。TheyknowtheBaronofold，whenhewasChamberlainandranyourroulettewheelatthepalace。Theyknowheisnotthemantoturnbackanexpedition。AndtheColonel，ifhewillpardonme，hassoldhisservicessooftentoonesideoranotherthatitwouldhavebeendifficulttomakethembelievethatthistimeheissincere。ButKalonay，themantheyfearmostnexttoyourMajesty——tohavehimturntraitor，why，thatwasamasterstroke。Eventhoseboors，stupidastheyare，sawthat。Whentheymadeouttheagreementtheyputdownallhistitles，andlaughedastheywrotethemin。
`PrinceJudas’theycalledhim，andtheywereinecstasiesattheideaofthearistocratsuingforblood—moneyagainsthissovereign，ofthemantheyfearedshowinghimselftobeonlyacommonblackmailer。Itdelightedthemtofindaprinceroyalsunklowerthanthemselves，thismanwhohastreatedthemlikecurs——likethecurstheyare，\"shebrokeoutsuddenly——\"likethecurstheyare!\"
Sheroseandlaugheduneasilyasthoughatherownvehemence。
\"Iamtired，\"shesaid，avoidingtheKing’seyes；\"thetriphastiredme。Ifyouwillexcuseme，Iwillgotomyrooms——throughyourhall—way，ifImay。\"
\"Mostcertainly，\"saidtheKing。\"Itrustyouwillberestedbydinner—time。Aurevoir，myfairambassadrice。\"
Thewomannoddedandsmiledbackathimbrightly，andLouiscontinuedtolookafterherasshedisappeareddownthecorridor。Herubbedthebackofhisfingersacrosshislips，andthoughtfullyexaminedhisfinger—nails。
\"Iwonder，\"hesaid，afterapause，lookingupatBarrat。TheBaronraisedhiseyebrowswithaglanceofpoliteinterrogation。
\"IwonderifKalonaydaredtomakelovetoheronthewaydown。\"
TheBaron’sfacebecameasexpressionlessasadeath—mask，andheshruggedhisshouldersinprotest。
\"——OrdidshemakelovetoKalonay？\"theKinginsisted，laughinggently。\"Iwondernow。Idonotcaretoknow，butI
wonder。\"
AccordingtotraditiontheKalonayfamilywasanolderonethanthatoftheHouseofArtois，anditsnamehadalwaysbeentheonenextinimportancetothatofthereigninghouse。ThehistoryofMessinashowedthatdifferentmembersoftheKalonayfamilyhadfoughtanddiedfordifferentkingsofArtois，andhadenjoyedtheirfavorandsharedtheirreverseswithequaldignity，andthattheyhadstoodlikearampartwhenthekingdomwasinvadedbythelevellingdoctrinesofRepublicanismandequality。AndthoughtheKalonaysweremenofstouterstuffthantheircousinsofArtois，theyhadnevertriedtousurptheirplace，buthadsetanexampletothehumblestshepherdofunfailingloyaltyandgood—willtotheKingandhislady。ThePrinceKalonay，whohadaccompaniedtheDominicanmonktoMessina，wasthelastofhisrace，andwhenLouisIV。hadbeendrivenofftheisland，hehadfollowedhissovereignintoexileasamatterofcourse，andwithhiscustomarygood—humor。Hisestates，inconsequenceofthisstep，hadbeentakenupbytheRepublic，andKalonayhadacceptedthelossphilosophicallyasthepriceonepaysforlovingaking。HefoundexileeasytobearinParis，andespeciallysoashehadneverrelinquishedtheideathatsomedaytheKingwouldreturntohisownagain。Sofirmlydidhebelieveinthis，andsokeenlywashisheartsetuponit，thatLouishadneverdaredtolethimknowthatforhimselfexileinParisandtheRivierawasvastlytobepreferredtoauthorityoverarockyislandhungwithfogs，andinhabitedbydullmerchantsandfiercebanditti。
TheconductoftheKingduringtheirresidenceinPariswouldhavetriedtheloyaltyofonelessgayandcarelessthanKalonay，forhewasasorrymonarch，andiftheprinciplethat\"theKingcandonowrong\"hadnotbeenbredintheyoungPrince’smind，hewouldhavedesertedhissovereignintheearlydaysoftheirexile。Butasitwas，hemadeexcusesforhimtoothersandtohimself，andservedtheKing’sidlepurposessowellthathegainedforhimselfthenameoftheKing’sjackal，andthereweresomewhoregardedhimaslittlebetterthantheKing’sconfidentialblackguard，andmanFriday，theweakestifthemostcharmingofhiscourtofadventurers。
AtthefirsthintwhichtheKinggaveofhisdesiretoplacehimselfagaininpower，KalonayhadceasedtobehisJackalandwouldhaveissuedforthasacommander—in—chief，hadtheKingpermittedhim；butitwasnottoLouis’spurposethatthePrinceshouldknowtherealobjectoftheexpedition，soheassigneditspreparationtoErhaupt，anddespatchedKalonaytothesouthoftheisland。AtthesametimeMadameZarahadbeensenttothenorthoftheisland，ostensiblytosoundthesentimentoftheoldnobility，butinrealitytomakecapitaloutofthepresencethereofKalonayandFatherPaul。
TheKingrosehurriedlywhentheslimfigureofthePrinceandthebroadshouldersandtonsuredheadofthemonkappearedatthefarthestendofthegarden—walk。
\"Theyarecoming!\"hecried，withaguiltychuckle；\"soI
shallrunawayandfinishdressing。IleaveyoutoreceivethefirstshockofKalonay’senthusiasmalone。Iconfessheboresme。Remember，thestoryMadameZaratoldthemintheyachtistheoneshetoldusthismorning，thatnoneoftheoldroyalistsatthecapitalwouldpromiseusanyassistance。
Becarefulnow，andplayyourpartsprettily。Weareallterriblyinearnest。\"
Kalonay’senthusiasmhadnotspentitselfentirelybeforetheKingreturned。Hehadstillanumberofamusingstoriestotell，andhereviewedtheadventuresofthemonkandhimselfwithsuchvivacityandhumorthattheKingnoddedhisheadindelight，andeventhepriestsmiledindulgentlyattherecollection。
Kalonayhadseatedhimselfononeofthetables，withhisfeetonachairandwithacigaretteburningbetweenhisfingers。
Hewasahandsome，darkyoungmanofthirty，withtheimpulsivemannerofaboy。Dissipationhadleftnotraceonhisface，andhiseyeswereasinnocentofevilandasbeautifulasagirl’s，andaseloquentashistongue。\"MaytheMariaSantissimapitythegirlstheylookupon，\"hisoldSpanishnurseusedtosayofthem。ButKalonayhadshownpityforeveryonesavehimself。HistrainingatanEnglishpublicschool，andlaterasasoldierintheEcolePolytechniqueatParis，hadsavedhimfromatooearlyfall，andmenlikedhiminstinctively，andthewomenmuchtoowell。
\"Itwasgoodtobebackthereagain，\"hecried，withahappysigh。\"Itwasgoodtoseethecloudsfollowingeachotheracrosstheoldmountainsandthrowingblackshadowsonthecampagna，andtohearthepeople’spatoisandtotasteMessinianwineagainandtoknowitwasfromyourownhillside。Allouroldkeeperscamedowntothecoasttomeetus，andtoldmeaboutthestag—hunttheweekbefore，andwhowasmarried，andwhowasinjail，andwhohadbeenhangedforshootingacustomsofficer，andtheypromisedfinedeerstalkingifIgetbackbeforethesnowleavestheridges，fortheysaythedeerhavenotbeenhuntedandarerunningwild。\"
Hestoppedandlaughed。\"Iforgot，\"hesaid，\"yourMajestydoesnotcarefortherudepleasuresofmyhalfoftheisland。\"Kalonaythrewawayhiscigarette，claspinghishandsbeforehimwithasuddenchangeofmanner。
\"Butseriously，\"hecried，\"asIhavebeentellingthem——I
wishyourMajestycouldhaveheardtheofferstheymadeus，andcouldhaveseenthetearsrunningdowntheirfaceswhenweassuredthemthatyouwouldreturn。Iwishedathousandtimesthatwehadbroughtyouwithus。Withyouatourheadwecansweeptheislandfromoneendtotheother。Wewillgatherstrengthandforceaswego，asalandslidegrows，andwhenwereachthecapitalwewillstrikeitlikeahumanavalanche。
\"AndIwishyoucouldhaveheardhimspeak，\"Kalonaycried，hisenthusiasmrisingasheturnedandpointedwithhishandatthepriest。\"Thereistheleader!Hemademybloodturnhotwithhisspeeches，andwhenhehadfinishedIusedtofindmyselfstandingonmytiptoesandshoutingwiththerest。
WithouthimIcouldhavedonenothing。Theyknewmetoowell；
butthelaziestrascalsinthevillagecametowelcomehimagain，andthewomenandmenweptbeforehimandbroughttheirchildrentobeblessed，andfellontheirkneesandkissedhissandals。Itwaslikethestoriestheytellyouwhenyouareachild。Hemadeussobwithregretandhefilleduswithfreshresolves。Oh，itisverywellforyoutosmile，youoldcynics，\"hecried，smilingathisownfervor，\"butItellyou，IhavelivedsinceIsawyoulast!\"
Theprieststoodsilentwithhishandshiddeninsidehisgreatsleeves，andhisheadrisingerectandrigidfromhiscowl。
Theeyesofthemenwereturneduponhimcuriously，andheglancedfromonetotheother，asthoughmistrustingtheirsympathy。
\"Itwasnotme——itwastheChurchtheycametowelcome。Thefools，\"hecriedbitterly，\"theythoughttheycoulddestroythefaithofthepeoplebybanishingtheservantsoftheChurch。Assoonendamother’sloveforherchildrenbyputtinganoceanbetweenthem。Forsixyearsthosepeasantshavebeentrue。Ileftthemfaithful，Ireturnedtofindthemfaithful。Andnow——\"heconcluded，lookingsteadilyattheKingasthoughtoholdhimtoaccount，\"andnowtheyaretohavetheirreward。\"
TheKingbowedhisheadgravelyinassent。\"Theyaretohavetheirreward，\"herepeated。Heroseandwithawaveofhishandinvitedthepriesttofollowhim，andtheywalkedtogethertotheotherendoftheterrace。WhentheywereoutofhearingoftheotherstheKingseatedhimself，andthepriesthaltedbesidehischair。
\"Iwishtospeakwithyou，father，\"Louissaid，\"concerningthisyoungAmericangirl，MissCarson，whohaspromisedtohelpus——tohelpyou——withhermoney。Hasshesaidyethowmuchshemeanstogiveus，\"askedtheKing，\"andwhenshemeanstoletushaveit？Itisadelicatematter，andIdonotwishtourgethelady，butwearereallygreatlyinneedofmoney。BaronBarrat，whoarrivedfromParisthismorning，bringsbacknosubstantialaid，althoughthesympathyoftheoldnobility，heassuresme，iswithus。Sympathy，however，doesnotpurchaseMaximguns，norpayforrations，andMadameZara’svisittothecapitalwas，asyouknow，evenlesssuccessful。\"
\"YourMajestyhasseenMissCarson，then？\"thepriestasked。
\"Yes，hermotherandshehavebeenstayingattheContinentaleversincetheyfollowedyouherefromParis，andIhaveseenheronceortwiceduringyourabsence。Theyoungladyseemsanearnestdaughterofourfaith，andsheisdeeplyinsympathywithourefforttore—establishyourorderandtheinfluenceoftheChurchupontheisland。IhaveexplainedtoherthattheonlywayinwhichtheChurchcanregainherfootingthereisthroughmyreturntothethrone，andMissCarsonhashintedthatsheiswillingtomakeevenalargercontributionthantheoneshefirstmentioned。Ifshemeanstodothis，itwouldbewellifshediditatonce。\"
\"PerhapsIhavemisunderstoodher，\"saidthepriest，afteramoment’sconsideration；\"butIthoughtthesumshemeanttocontributewastobegivenonlyafterthemonarchyhasbeenformallyestablished，andthatshewishedwhatevershegavetobeusedexclusivelyinrebuildingthechurchesandthemonastery。IdonotgrudgeittoyourMajesty’spurpose，butsoIunderstoodher。\"
\"Ah，thatisquitepossible，\"returnedLouis，easily；\"itmaybethatshedidsointendatfirst，butsinceIhavetalkedwithhershehasshownawillingdispositiontoaidusnotonlylater，butnow。Mysuccessmeansyoursuccess，\"hecontinued，smilingpleasantlyasherosetohisfeet，\"soI
trustyouwillurgehertobeprompt。Sheseemstohaveunlimitedresourcesinherownright。Doyouhappentoknowfromwhencehermoneycomes？\"
\"Hermothertoldme，\"saidthepriest，\"thatMr。Carsonbeforehisdeathownedminesandrailroads。TheyliveinCalifornia，neartheMissionofSaintFrancis。IhavewrittenconcerningthemtotheFatherSuperiorthere，andhetellsmethatMr。
Carsondiedaveryrichman，andthathewasagenerousservantoftheChurch。Hisdaughterhasbutjustinheritedherfather’sfortune，andheroneideaofusingitistogiveittotheChurch，ashewouldhavedone。\"
ThepriestpausedandseemedtoconsiderwhattheKinghadjusttoldhim。\"Iwillspeakwithher，\"hesaid，\"andaskheraidasfullyasshecangiveit。MayIinquirehowfaryourMajestyhastakenherintoourplans？\"
\"MissCarsonisfullyinformed，\"theKingrepliedbriefly。
\"Andifyouwishtospeakwithheryoucanseehernow；sheandhermotherarecomingtobreakfastwithmetoheartheaccountofyourvisittotheisland。Youcanspeakwithherthen——and，father，\"theKingadded，loweringhiseyesandfingeringtheloosesleeveofthepriest’srobe，\"itwouldbewell，Ithink，tohavethispresentationoftheyoungnoblesimmediatelyaftertheluncheon，whileMissCarsonisstillpresent。Wemightevenmakealittleceremonyofit，andsoshowherthatsheisfullyinourconfidence——thatsheisoneofourmostvaluedsupporters。Itmightperhapsquickenherinterestinthecause。\"
\"Iseenoreasonwhythatshouldnotbe，\"saidthepriest，thoughtfully，turninghiseyestotheseabelowthem。\"MadameZara，\"headded，withoutmovinghiseyes，\"willnotbepresent。\"
TheKingstraightenedhimselfslightly，andforabriefmomentoftimelookedatthepriestinsilence，butthemonkcontinuedtogazesteadilyatthebluewaters。
\"MadameZarawillnotbepresent，\"theKingrepeated，coldly。
\"Thereareafewfishermenandmountaineers，yourMajesty，\"
thepriestcontinued，turninganunconsciouscountenancetotheKing，\"whocamebackwithusfromtheisland。TheycomeasadeputationtoinformyourMajestyofthewelcomethatwaitsyou，andIhavepromisedthemanaudience。IfyouwillpardonmeIwouldsuggestthatyoureceivethesehonestpeopleatthesametimewiththeothers，andthathisHighnesstheCrownPrincebealsopresent，andthathereceivethemwithyou。TheiranxietytoseehimisonlysecondtotheirdesiretospeaktoyourMajesty。Youwillfindsomeofyourmostloyalsubjectsamongthesemen。TheirforefathershavebeenfaithfultoyourhouseandtotheChurchformanygenerations。\"
\"Excellent，\"saidtheKing；\"IshallreceivethemimmediatelyafterthedeputationfromParis。ConsultwithBaronBarratandKalonay，please，aboutthedetails。IwisheitherKalonayoryourselftomakethepresentation。IseeMissCarsonandhermothercoming。Afterluncheon，then，at，say，threeo’clock——willthatbesatisfactory？\"
\"AsyourMajestypleases，\"thepriestanswered，andwithabowhestrodeacrosstheterracetowhereKalonaystoodwatchingthem。
II
Mrs。CarsonandherdaughtercamefromthehoteltotheterracethroughthehallwaywhichdividedtheKing’sapartments。BaronBarratprecededthemandtheyfollowedinsinglefile，MissCarsonwalkingfirst。Itwasapositionhermotheralwaysforceduponher，andafterpeoplegrewtoknowthemtheyaccepteditasillustratingMrs。Carson’sconfidenceinherdaughter’sabilitytocareforherself，aswellasherownwishtoremaininthebackground。
PatriciaCarson，asshewasnamedafterherpatronsaint，or\"Patty\"Carson，asshewascalledmorefrequently，wasanexceedinglyprettygirl。Shewastallandfair，withasmilethatshowedsuchconfidenceineveryoneshemetthatfewcouldfindthecouragetoundeceiveherbybeingthemselves，anditwaseasier，inthefaceofsuchanappealashereyesmadetothebestineveryone，foreachtoactapartwhilehewaswithher。Shewasyoung，impressionable，andabsolutelyinexperienced。Asalittlegirlshehadlivedonagreatranch，whereshecouldgallopfromsunrisetosunsetoverherownprairieland，andlaterherlifehadbeenspentinaconventoutsideofParis。Shehadbuttwogreatemotions，herloveforherfatherandfortheChurchwhichhadnursedher。
Herfather’sdeathhadsanctifiedhimandgivenhimaplaceinherheartthathermothercouldnothold，andwhenshefoundherselfattwenty—onethemistressofagreatfortune，heroneideaastothedisposalofitwastodowithitwhatwouldbestpleasehimandtheChurchwhichhadbeentherulingpowerinthelifeofbothofthem。Shewasquiteunconsciousofherbeauty，andhermodeofspeakingwassimpleandeager。
ShehaltedasshecameneartheKing，andrestinghertwohandsonthetopofherlaceparasol，noddedpleasantlytohimandtotheothers。Sheneithercourtesiednorofferedhimherhand，butseemedtopreferthismiddlecourse，leavingthemtodecidewhethersheactedasshedidfromignoranceorfromchoice。
AstheKingsteppedforwardtogreethermother，MissCarsonpassedhimandmovedontowheretheFatherSuperiorstoodapartfromtheothers，talkingearnestlywiththePrince。
Whathewassayingwasofanunwelcomenature，forKalonay’sfaceworeanexpressionofboredomandpoliteprotestwhichchangedinstantlytooneofdelightwhenhesawMissCarson。
Thegirlhesitatedandmadeadeepobeisancetothepriest。
\"IamafraidIinterruptyou，\"shesaid。
\"Notatall，\"Kalonayassuredher，laughing。\"Itisamostwelcomeinterruption。Thegoodfatherhasbeenfindingfaultwithme，asusual，andIamquitewillingtochangethesubject。\"
Thepriestsmiledkindlyonthegirl，andwhileheexchangedsomewordsofwelcomewithher，Kalonaybroughtuponeofthehugewickerchairs，andsheseatedherselfwithherbacktotheothers，facingthetwomen，whostoodleaningagainstthebroadbalustrade。Theyhadbeenfellow—conspiratorssufficientlylongforthemtohavegrowntoknoweachotherwell，andthepriest，sofarfromregardingherasanintruder，hailedheratonceasaprobableally，andendeavoredtobeginagainwherehehadceasedspeaking。
\"Doyounotagreewithme，MissCarson？\"heasked。\"IamtellingthePrincethatzealisnotenough，andthathighideals，unlesstheyareaccompaniedbygoodconduct，arefutile。Iwanthimtochange，tobemoresober，morestrict————\"
\"Oh，youmustnotaskme，\"MissCarsonsaid，hurriedly，smilingandshakingherhead。\"Weareworkingforonlyonething，arewenot？Beyondthatyouknownothingofme，andI
knownothingofyou。Icametohearofyourvisit，\"shecontinued；\"amItobetoldanything？\"sheasked，eagerly，lookingfromonetotheother。\"Ithasbeensuchananxioustwoweeks。Weimaginedallmannerofthingshadhappenedtoyou。\"
Kalonaylaughedhappily。\"TheFatherwasprobablyneversaferinhislife，\"hesaid。\"Theytookustotheirheartslikebrothers。Theymighthavesuffocateduswithkindness，butwewereinnootherdanger。\"
\"Thenyouareencouraged，Father？\"sheasked，turningtothepriest。\"Youfoundthemloyal？Yourvisitwasallyouhoped，youcandependuponthem？\"
\"Wecancountuponthemabsolutely，\"themonkassuredher。
\"Weshallstartonourreturnvoyageatonce，inaday，assoonashisMajestygivestheword。\"
\"TherearesomanythingsIwanttoknow，\"thegirlsaid；\"butIhavenorighttoask，\"sheadded，lookingupathimdoubtfully。
\"Youhaveeveryright，\"themonkanswered。\"Youhavecertainlyearnedit。Withoutthehelpyougaveuswecouldnothavemoved。Youhavebeenmorethangenerous————\"
MissCarsoninterruptedhimwithanimpatientliftingofherhead。\"Thatsortofgenerosityisnothing，\"shesaid。\"Withyoumenitisdifferent。Youareallriskingsomething。Youareactuallyhelping，whileImustsitstillandwait。I
hope，Father，\"shesaid，smiling，\"itisnotwrongformetowishIwereaman。\"
\"Wrong!\"exclaimedKalonay，inatoneofmockdismay；\"ofcourseit’swrong。It’swicked。\"
ThemonkturnedandlookedcoldlyoverhisshoulderatKalonay，andthePrincelaughed。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid，\"butwearetoldtobecontentedwithourlot，\"heargued，impenitently。\"`Heonlyisaslavewhocomplains，’andthatistrueevenifahereticdidsayit。\"
ThemonkshookhisheadandturnedagaintoMissCarsonwithatolerantsmile。
\"Heisveryyoung，\"hesaid，asthoughKalonaydidnothearhim，\"andwildandfoolish——andyet，\"headded，doubtfully，\"I
findIlovetheboy。\"Heregardedtheyoungmanwithakindbutimpersonalscrutiny，asthoughhewereapictureorastatue。\"SometimesIimagineheisallImighthavebeen，\"hesaid，\"hadnotGodgivenmethestrengthtoovercomemyself。
Hehasneverdeniedhimselfinanything；heisaswilfulandcapriciousasagirl。Hemakesanoblefriend，MissCarson，andagenerousenemy；butheisspoiledirretrievablybygoodfortuneandgoodlivingandgoodhealth。\"Thepriestlookedattheyoungmanwithacertainsadseverity。\"`Unstableaswater，thoushaltnotexcel，’\"hesaid。
Thegirl，ingreatembarrassment，turnedherheadaway，glancingfromtheoceantothesky；butKalonayseatedhimselfcoollyonthebroadbalustradeoftheterracewithhishandsonhiships，andhisheelsrestingonthemarbletiling，andclickedthesolesofhisbootstogether。
\"Oh，Ihavehadmybaddays，too，Father，\"hesaid。Heturnedhisheadononeside，andpressedhislipstogether，lookingdown。
\"Unstableaswater——thatisquitepossible，\"hesaid，withanairofconsideration；\"butspoiledbygoodfortune——oh，no，thatisnotfair。Doyoucallitgoodfortune，sir，\"helaughed，\"tobeanexileattwenty—eight？Isitgoodfortunetobetoopoortopayyourdebts，andtoolazytowork；tobethelastofagreatname，andtohavenochancetoaddtothegloryofit，andnomeanstokeepitsdignityfreshandsecure？DoyoufancyIliketoseemyselfdriftingfartherandfartherawayfromtheoldstandardsandtheoldtraditions；tohaveEnglishbrewersandGermanJewbankerstakingtheplaceIshouldhave，buyingtitleswiththeirearningsandsnubbingmebecauseIcanonlyhuntwhensomeonegivesmeamount，andbecauseIchoosetotakeapurseinsteadofacupwhenweshootatMonteCarlo？\"
\"Whatchild’stalkisthis？\"interruptedthepriest，angrily。
\"Athousandhorsescannotmakeamannoble，norwaspovertyeverignoble。Youtalklikeaweakboy。Everywordyousayisyourowncondemnation。Whyshouldyoucomplain？Yourbedisofyourownmaking。Theotherprodigalwasforcedtoherdwiththeswine——youhavechosentoherdwiththem。\"
Thegirlstraightenedherselfandhalfrosefromherchair。
\"YouareboringMissCarsonwithmydelinquencies，\"saidthePrince，sternly。Hisfacewasflushed，andhedidnotlookeitheratthegirloratthepriest。
\"Buttheprodigal’sfather？\"saidMissCarson，smilingattheolderman。\"Didhestandoverhimandupbraidhim？Youremember，hewenttomeethimwhenhewasyetagreatwayoff。
Thatwasit，wasitnot，Father？\"
\"Ofcoursehedid，\"criedKalonay，laughinglikeaboy，andslippinglightlytotheterrace。\"Hemethimhalfwayandgavehimthebesthehad。\"HesteppedtoMissCarson’ssideandthetwoyoungpeoplemovedawaysmiling，andthepriest，seeingthattheywereabouttoescapehim，criedeagerly，\"Butthatprodigalhadrepented。Thisone————\"
\"Let’srun，\"criedthePrince。\"Hewillgetthebestofusifwestay。Healwaysgetsthebestofme。Hehasbeenabusingmethatwayfortwoweeksnow，andheisalwayssorryafterward。Letusleavehimalonetohissorrowandremorse。\"
KalonaywalkedacrosstheterracewithMissCarson，bendingaboveherwithwhatwouldhaveseemedtoanoutsideralmostaproprietaryright。Shedidnotappeartonoticeit，butlookedathimfranklyandlistenedtowhathehadtosaywithinterest。Hewasspeakingrapidly，andashespokeheglancedshylyatherasthoughseekingherapprobation，andnotboldly，ashewasaccustomedtodowhenhetalkedwitheithermenorwomen。Tolookatherwithadmirationwassuchacheapformofappreciation，andonesodistastefultoher，thathadheknownit，Kalonay’savertedeyesweremoreofacomplimentthananywordshecouldhavespoken。Hiscompanionswhohadseenhimwithotherwomenknewthathismannertoherwasnothisusualmanner，andthathegavehersomethinghedidnotgivetotheothers；thathewasmorediscreetandlessready，andlessatease。
ThePrinceKalonayhadfirstmetMissCarsonandhermotherbychanceinParis，attheroomsofFatherPaul，wheretheyhadeachgoneonthesameerrand，andsincethatmeetinghiswholemannertowardthetwoworldsinwhichhelivedhadalteredsostrangelythatmereacquaintancesnoticedthechange。
Beforehehadmether，thelittlethepriesthadsaidconcerningherandherzealfortheircommondesirehadpiquedhiscuriosity，andhisimaginationhadbeenarousedbythepictureofaromanticyoungwomangivingherfortunetosavethesoulsofthepeopleofMessina；hispeoplewhomheregardedandwhoregardedhimlessasafeudallordthanasafatherandacomrade。Hehadpicturedherasanervous，angularwomanwithapale，asceticface，andwiththerestlesseyesofanenthusiast，dressedinblackandbadlydressed，andwithasevereandnarrowintelligence。Buthehadpreparedhimselftoforgiveherpersonality，forthesakeofthehighandgenerousimpulsethatinspiredher。Andwhenhewaspresentedtoherasshereallywas，andfoundheryoung，lovable，andnoblyfair，theshockofwonderanddelighthadheldhimsilentduringthewholecourseofherinterviewwiththepriest，andwhenshehadleftthemhisbrainwasinatumultandwasfilledwithmemoriesofherwordsandgestures，andofthesweetfearlessnessofhermanner。Beautifulwomenhehadknownbeforeasbeautifulwomen，butthesavinggraceinhisnaturehadneverbeforebeensodeeplyrousedbywhatwasfineaswellasbeautiful。Itseemedasthoughitweretoocompleteandperfect。Forheassuredhimselfthatshepossessedeverything——thosequalitieswhichhehadnevervaluedbeforebecausehebelievedthemtobeunattainable，andthoseotherswhichhehadmadehisidols。Shewaswithhim，mindandheartandsoul，intheonedesireofhislifethathetookseriously；shewasofhisreligion，shewasmorenoblethanhisnoblesisters，andshewasmorebeautifulthantheday。Inthefirstglowofthemeetingitseemedtohimasthoughfatehadcalledthemtodothisworktogether，——shefromthefarshoreofthePacific，andhefromhisrockyislandintheMiddleSea。Andhesawwithcrueldistinctness，thatiftherewereonethingwanting，itwashimself。Heworshippedherbeforehehadbowedhisfirstgood—bytoher，andthatnighthewalkedformilesupanddownthelonglengthsoftheavenueoftheChamps—Elysees，facingthegreatchangethatshehadbroughtintohislife，butknowinghimselftobeutterlyunfitforhercoming。Hefeltlikeanunworthystewardcaughtathismaster’sreturnunprepared，withungirtloins，andunlightedlamp。Nothinghehaddonesincehewasachildgavehimtherighttoconsiderhimselfherequal。Hewasnotblindedbytheapproacheswhichotherdaughtersandthemothersofdaughtershadmadehim。Heknewthatwhatwasenoughtoexcusemanythingsintheireyesmightfindnoapologyinhers。Helookedbackwiththeawakeningofachildattheirrevocableactsinhislifethatcouldnotbealterednordugupnorhiddenaway。Theymarkedtheroadhehadtroddenlikeheavymilestones，tellinghisstorytoeverypasser—by。Shecouldreadthem，aseveryoneelsecouldreadthem。Hehadwastedhissubstance，hehadbarteredhisbirthrightforamoment’spleasure；therewasnoonesolowanddespicablewhocouldnotcallhimcomrade，towhomhehadnotgivenhimselfwithoutreserve。Therewasnothingleft，andnowtheonethinghehadeverwantedhadcome，andhadfoundhimlikeabankrupt，hiscreditwastedandhiscoffersempty。HehadplacedhimselfatthebeckandcallofeveryidlemanandwomaninParis，andhewasascommonasthegreatclock—facethathangsabovetheboulevards。
MissCarson’sfeelingstowardKalonaywerenotofherownchoosing，andhadpassedthroughseveralstages。Whentheyhadfirstmetshehadthoughtitmostsadthatsocarelessandunprincipledapersonshouldchancetoholdsoimportantapartinthetaskshehadsetherselftodo。Sheknewhisclassonlybyhearsay，butsheplacedhiminit，and，accordingly，atoncedismissedhimasapersonfromhermind。
Kalonayhadnevershownherthathelovedher，exceptbythosesignswhichanywomancanreadandwhichnomancanconceal；
buthedidnotmakelovetoher，anditwasthatwhichfirstprepossessedherinhisfavor。Oneortwoothermenwhoknewofherfortune，andtowhomshehadgivenaslittleencouragementasshehadtoKalonay，hadbeenlessconsiderate。Buthisattitudetowardherwasalwaysthatofafellow—workerinthecommoncause。Hetreatedherwithagratitudeforthehelpshemeanttogivehispeoplewhichmuchembarrassedher。Hisseriousnesspleasedherwithhim，seeing，asshedid，thatitwasnothisnaturetobeserious，andhisenthusiasmandloveforhishalf—civilizedcountrymenincreasedherinterestinthem，andherlikingforhim。Shecouldnothelpbutadmirethewayinwhichheaccepted，withoutforcinghertomakeitanyplainer，thefactthatheheldnoplaceinherthoughts。Andthenshefoundthathebegantoholdmoreofaplaceinherthoughtsthanshehadsupposedanymancouldholdofwhomsheknewsolittle，andofwhomthelittlesheknewwassoill。Shemissedhimwhenshewenttothepriest’sandfoundthathehadnotsentforKalonaytobearhispartintheircouncils；andattimesshefeltanunworthywishtohearKalonayspeaktheverywordsshehadadmiredhimforkeepingfromher。Andatlastshelearnedthetruththatshedidlovehim，anditfrightenedher，andmadehermiserableandhappy。TheyhadnotseeneachothersincehehadleftParisforMessina，andthoughtheyspokenowonlyofhismissiontotheisland，therewasbackofwhattheysaidthejoyforeachofthemofbeingtogetheragainandoffindingthatitmeantsomuch。Whatitmightmeantotheother，neitherknew。
ForsomelittletimetheKingfollowedthetwoyoungpeoplewithhiseyes，andthenjoinedthem，makingsignstoKalonaythathewishedhimtoleavethemtogether；butKalonayremainedblindtohissignals，andBarrat，seeingthatitwasnotatete—a—tete，joinedthemalso。WhenhedidsoKalonayaskedtheKingforaword，andlayinghishanduponhisarmwalkedwithhimdowntheterrace，pointingostensiblytowheretheyachtlayintheharbor。Louisansweredhispantomimewithanappropriategesture，andthenasked，sharply，\"Well，whatisit？Whydidyoubringmehere？Andwhatdoyoumeanbystayingonwhenyouseeyouarenotwanted？\"
Theyweresomedistancefromtheothers。Kalonaysmiledandmadeaslightbow。\"YourMajesty，\"hebegan，withpoliteemphasis。TheKinglookedathimcuriously。
\"Intheolddaysundersimilarcircumstances，\"thePrincecontinued，withtheairofacourtierratherthanthatofanequal，\"hadIthoughtofforminganalliancebymarriage，I
shouldhavecometoyourMajestyfirstandaskedyourgraciousapproval。Butthosedaysarepast，andwearelivingattheendofthecentury；andwedosuchthingsdifferently。\"HestraightenedhimselfandreturnedtheKing’slookofamusedinterestwithoneascynicalashisown。\"WhatIwantedtotellyou，Louis，\"hesaid，quietly，\"isthatImeantoaskMissCarsontobecomethePrincessKalonay。\"
TheKingraisedhisheadquicklyandstaredattheyoungermanwithalookofdistasteandsurprise。Hegaveanincredulouslaugh。
\"Indeed？\"hesaidatlast。\"Therewasalwayssomethingaboutrichwomenyoucouldneverresist。\"
ThePrincemadehisacknowledgmentwithashrugofhisshouldersandsmiledindifferently。
\"Ididn’texpectyoutounderstand，\"hesaid。\"Itdoesseemodd；it’squiteasdifficultformetounderstandasforyou。
Ihavebeenthroughitagreatmanytimes，andIthoughtI
knewalltherewasofit。Butnowitseemsdifferent。No，itdoesnotseemdifferent，\"hecorrectedhimself；\"itisdifferent，andIlovetheladyandImeantoaskhertodomethehonortomarryme。Ididn’texpectyoutounderstand，I
don’tcareifyoudo。Ionlywantedtowarnyou。\"
\"Warnme？\"interruptedtheKing，withanunpleasantsmile。
\"Indeed!againstwhat？Yourtoneisatrifleperemptory——butyouareinteresting，mostinteresting!Kalonayinanewrole，Kalonayinlove!Mostinteresting!Warnmeagainstwhat？\"herepeatedsharply。
\"YourMajestyhasacertainmanner，\"thePrincebegan，withapretenceofhesitation，\"acharmofmanner，Imightsay，whichisproverbial。Itis，weknow，attractivetowomen。Everywomanacknowledgesit。ButyourMajestyissometimestoogracious。Hepermitshimselftocondescendtomanywomen，toanywoman，towomenofallclasses————\"
\"Thatwilldo，\"saidtheKing；\"whatdoyoumean？\"
\"WhatImeanisthis，\"saidKalonay，loweringhisvoiceandlookingintotheKing’shalf—closedeyes。\"YoucanhaveallofMissCarson’smoneyyouwant——allyoucanget。Idon’twantit。IfIamto——marryheratall，Iamnotmarryingherforhermoney。Youcan’tbelievethat。Itisn’tessentialthatyoushould。ButIwantyoutoleavethewomanIhopetomakemywifealone。Iwillallownoprettyspeeches，norroyalattentions。Shecangivehermoneywhereshepleases，nowandalways；butI’llnothavehereyesopenedto——asyoucanopenthem。Iwillnothaveherannoyed。Andifsheis————\"
\"Ah，andifsheis？\"challengedtheKing。Hiseyeswerewideapartnowandhislipswerepartedanddrawnbackfromhisteeth，likeasnarlingcat————
\"Ishallholdwhoeverannoysherresponsible，\"Kalonayconcluded，impersonally。
Therewasamoment’spause，duringwhichthetwomenstoodregardingeachotherwarily。