. . that is, the
Princess Elizabeth . . . she may believe that I . . ." It was very
embarrassing.
"Continue," said the King. "And please make your sentences
intelligible."
"What I meant to say was that Her Highness the Princess Hildegarde,
believes that I love her sister instead of herself . . . I
thought . . . she has written otherwise . . ." And then I foundered
again.
"Prince," said the King, laughing in spite of his efforts to appear
angry, "for pity's sake, tell me what this man is talking about!"
"A woman," said the Chancellor. "Perhaps Her Highness the Princess
Hildegarde. . . . That is, I believe. . . . She may love this
man . . . perhaps thinking he loves the other. . ." He was mocking
me, and my face burned.
"Prince, do not confuse the man; he is bad enough as it is." The King
smoothed away the remnant of the smile.
"Your Majesty is right," said I, desperately. "I am confused. I know
not what to say."
"What would you do in my place?" asked the King of the Chancellor.
"I should say in an ominous voice, 'Young man, you may go; but if you
ever enter our presence again without either one or the other of the
Hohenphalian Princesses as your wife, we shall confiscate your property
and put you in a dungeon for the remainder of your natural days.
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