He leaves the matter wholly in my hands."
The sparkle in his eyes was the first evidence of emotion she had ever
seen in him. It rather pleased her.
"It is for the good of the state. A princess like yourself must never
wed an inferior."
"Would a man who was brave and kind and resourceful, but without a
title, would he be an inferior?"
"Assuredly, politically. And I regret to say that your marriage could
never be else than a matter of politics."
"I am, then, for all that I am a princess, simply a certificate of
exchange?"
His keen ear caught the bitter undercurrent. "The king of Jugendheit is
young. I do not see how he can help loving you the moment he knows you.
Who can?" And the chancellor enjoyed the luxury of a smile.
"But he may not be heart whole."
"He will be, politically."
"Politics, politics; how I hate the word! Sometimes I regret my garret."
The chancellor frowned. "Your Highness, I beg of you never to give that
thought utterance in the presence of your father."
"Ah, believe me, I am not ungrateful; but all this is new to me, even
yet. I am living in a dream, wondering and wondering when I shall wake."
The chancellor wrinkled his lips. It was more of a grimace than a smile.
"Will you consent to this marriage?"
"Would it do any good to reject it?"
"On the contrary, it would do Ehrenstein great harm.
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