d. "Can I forget her
interests? Who, better than I, should take the place of her
adviser, her Prime Minister? Affairs in Alberia cannot long remain
in this violent state. There must be a _denouement_."

I answered him sharply.

"You know quite well that the Archduchess can never hope for
official recognition from any Alberian Ministry--let alone the
sovereigns of Europe. An aggressive attitude on her part could at
most and at the worst, but lead to these things--a change of
dynasty, and the annexation of Alberia by one of the Powers, or its
partition among some of them. We wish Alberia to become another
Switzerland--a little Paradise of law-abiding, industrious, rich,
independent people!"

"All the same," said he, "my wife may not sell her birth-right.
Such a proceeding is directly opposite to the Will of God."

"She will be a good claimant--after all this scandal with the
Carlists and de Hausee," said I. "I can imagine the welcome
extended to her by Bismarck! We have seen enough of this kind of
thing in France and Spain."

We talked for an hour. He was as obstinate as a mule and as
incoherent as running water. I could grasp him nowhere. It was like
groping in a well for a lighted torch. No doubt he had formed in
his own mind some obscure, incalculable intrigue, but no reason can
guess the plans which are made by an unreasoning person.

"The Archduchess is rich, young, and handsome," said I; "it would
be folly to change her noble independence for a political slavery
fatal to her peace--perhaps her life."

"But duty is above such weak considerations," said he, rolling his
eyes. "My wife must remember the nation."

"Do you believe," I rejoined, "that you would get the nation's
sanction to the general upset which you propose? You must be mad."

"Nations go mad," said he, smiling; "why not to my advantage, then,
as well as yours?"

He refused to tell me how he got into the house, but it must have
been by bribery. His sneers and insults were insinuated with such
skill that retaliation on the spot was impossible. He made his
escape by suddenly extinguishing the lamp, which left the room in
pitch darkness. I felt it would be undignified to stumble about in
vain pursuit of a man so active and so _canaille_ in all his
methods