I refuse to marry the daughter of the man who privately
strove to cover my father with contumely, who dared impute to him a
crime that was any man's but my father's. I realize that certain
policies called for this stroke on your part, but it can not be. My
dear uncle, you have digged a fine pit, and I hope you will find a
safe way out of it. I refuse to marry the Princess Hildegarde. This
is final. It can be arranged without any discredit to the duke or to
yourself. Let it be said that her serene highness has thrown me
over. I shan't go to war about it.
"'FREDERICK.'"
"Observe 'My illustrious and industrious uncle'!" laughed the carter
without mirth. "Our king, you will see, has a graceful style."
"Your tone is not respectful," warned the ambassador.
"Neither is the state of my mind. Oh, my king is a fine fellow; he will
settle down like his father before him; but to-day--" The carter dropped
his arms dejectedly.
"There is something going on."
"What, you are likely to learn at any moment. Pardon me, Baron, but if I
dared I would tell you all. But his highness' commands are over me and I
must obey them. It would be a mental relief to tell some one."
"Curse these opera-dancers!"
The carter laughed.
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