"
"Then listen. I am a Prince without a principality; a Prince by
courtesy, my brother ruling the principality of Wortumborg. Thus being
without a principality, I am necessarily without revenues. I must
replenish my very low exchequer by a marriage, a marriage not so
distasteful as it might be." He met my darkening eyes with serenity.
"Since Thursday night I have not been so certain of my wife's dowry.
If there are two Princesses, twins, they must govern jointly, or one
may abdicate in favor of the other. Her Serene Highness the Princess
Hildegarde is the one who will be most likely to relinquish her claims
to Hohenphalia. If your friend is proved to be her sister--" He
stroked the orchid reflectively.
"Well?" I cried, my pulse quickening.
"I shall withdraw my claim to the hand of the Princess Hildegarde. I
do not care to rule half a principality or share half its revenues.
There are better things left than that. It is my hope, however, that
no proofs can be found, and that your banker-diplomatist will show
conclusively that his niece was born in America. Until this question
is definitely settled, my fortunes shall not undergo any risks.
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