me, I know, if I issue orders in
your regard. All is being done by your father's commands, given to me
through His Majesty. You know as well as I do that your marriage to
this Italian adventurer was impossible. You know that you are next in
line of succession, but you do not know something else. You do not
know that your father is even now dangerously ill. Your escapade has
been hushed up to avoid scandal, for you may be sitting on the throne
within a month. You must return to Ecknor, and you must return at
once. The easiest way, and the best way, would be to notify the
Washington papers that you have arrived on a visit to America
_incognito_, and that you are now a guest at the Ministry. Though it
is already midnight, I have prepared such a statement. Here is it."
The Minister pointed to a number of sealed envelopes on the desk. "If
you consent to be reasonable, I shall have these dispatched by
messenger at once, and to-morrow make arrangements for your
entertainment. We shall send you to see some of the cities of the
United States before you leave again for Europe. In this way your
presence in America is explained. Nothing need ever be said about this
unfortunate matter, and I can promise you that nothing will be said
about it when you return home."

It was Ruth's turn to smile.

"You are overlooking one thing, Excellency, and that the most
important. I am not the Grand Duchess."

"Of course, Highness. You have explained that before. It would not
become me to contradict you, and yet you cannot blame me for carrying
out my orders. If you do not agree to the plan I have suggested, I
must put you under restraint. No one will be permitted to see you, and
proper arrangements will be made to have you transferred secretly to
one of our warships, which will be making a cruise--for your especial
benefit--to America in the course of a month. A month, Highness, is a
long time to wait in restraint, but you must see that there is nothing
else for me to do."

Ruth was obliged to smile in spite of herself at the mixture of
firmness and respect in the suave Minister's tones. He was encouraged
by the smile.

"Ah," he said, "I see that Your Highness will be reasonable."

Ruth looked him straight in the eye.

"But what if I should convince Your Excellency that you have made a
mistake, that I am telling you the truth when I say I am not the Grand
Duchess Carlotta?"

The Minister bowed. "It would be easy to