The King, thinking to repair the imaginary wrongs
of the Prince, forced the suit. He impressed upon the Princess that it
was marry the Prince or give up her principality. She gave her
consent, not knowing what to do under the circumstances. Prince Ernst
is a Prince without principality or revenues. In marrying the Princess
he acquires both. I shall tell you how I became concerned."
Hillars laid his smoking pipe in the ash pan. He got up and roamed
about the room, stopped at the window and stared at the inken sky, then
returned to his chair.
CHAPTER IV
I shall tell Hillars's story as he told it. He said:
Last August I went to B----. My mission was important and took me to
the British Legation, where I am well known. I was most cordially
invited to attend a ball to be given the next evening. The notables of
the court were there. For a few moments the King let his sun shine on
the assemblage. It was a brilliant spectacle. At midnight I saw for
the first time a remarkably beautiful woman. I was looking well myself
that night. All women like to see broad shoulders in a man.
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