ity is
a thing that can not be permitted to pass thus lightly." Then I
observed his nose wrinkle; he was sniffing. "Tobacco! I did not know
that you smoked, Leopold."

"Begone!" cried the old fellow, his hands opening and shutting.

"Presently!" With a laugh he sprang toward her Highness, but Leopold
was too quick for him.

There was a short struggle, and I saw the valiant old man reel, fall
and strike his head on the stone of the hearth. He lay perfectly
motionless. So unexpected was this scene to my eyes that for a time I
was without any particular sense of movement. I stood like stone.
With an evil laugh Steinbock sprang toward her Highness again. Quick
as light she snatched up my crop, which lay on the table, and struck
the rascal full across the eyes, again and again and again, following
him as he stepped backward. Her defense was magnificent. But, as fate
determined to have it, Steinbock finally succeeded in wresting the
stick from her grasp. He was wild with pain and chagrin. It was then
I awoke to the fact that I was needed.

I rushed out, hot with anger. I caught Steinbock by the collar just in
time to prevent his lips from touching her cheek. I flung him to the
floor, and knelt upon his chest. I am ashamed to confess it, but I
recollect slapping the fellow's face as he struggled under me.

"You scoundrel!" I cried, breathing hard.

"Kill him!" whispered her Highness. She was furious; the blood of her
marauding ancestors swept over her cheeks, and if ever I saw murder in
a woman's eyes it was at that moment.

"Hush, Hildegarde, hush!" The English girl caught the princess in her
arms and drew her back. "Don't let me hear you talk like that. It is
all over."

"Get up," I said to Steinbock, as I set him free.

He crawled to his feet. He was very much disordered, and there were
livid welts on his face. He shook himself, eying me evilly. There was
murder in his eyes, too.

"Empty your pockets of those thousand crowns!"--peremptorily.

"I was certain that I smelled tobacco," he sneered. "It would seem
that there are other bridegrooms than myself."

"Those crowns, or I'll break every bone in your body!" I balled my
fists. Nothing would have pleased me better at that moment than to
pummel the life out of him.

Slowly he drew out the purse. It was one of those limp silk affairs so
much affected by our ancestors. He balanced it on his hand. Its ends
bulged with gold and bank-n