. But his whiskers and mustache,
carefully groomed, were brushed upward and outward from the rather heavy
lip and chin, and had a military cut which comported well with the
dignity of his appearance. His eyes, the right one much smaller than the
left, were light gray in color, and as her own gaze caught them, very
grave and kindly, like his voice, which as he spoke gave her every
encouragement to be at her ease.

"You will pardon the infirmities of an old man and forgive me for not
rising," he said gently. "Will you be seated, here, before me, where I
may look at you?"

There was a pathetic touch of his old gallantry in the gesture which
accompanied the words, and a bright flash of his eyes as Marishka came
forward into the light and stood before him. Even today the Emperor was
not immune from the charms of feminine beauty. Marishka did as she was
bidden, sitting upon the edge of her chair before the old man, gazing at
him again, without words to begin.

"His Highness has told me that you have something of importance to
communicate," said the Emperor with a smile. "Your grandfather once did
me a service. If there is anything that I may do----"

The quiet voice paused and she was conscious of the gaze of the gray
eyes upon her in gentle inquiry.

"It is nothing that I want, Sire," she murmured haltingly. "It is
something of the utmost importance that has occurred--at
Konopisht--which I thought it necessary that you should know--something
of the gravest moment to the State--to Austria--and to--to Your
Majesty."

She paused breathless, finding speech difficult.

She saw his eyebrows upraised slightly and then contracted, while his
gaze upon her grew concentrated.

"You may speak freely, child. There is no one here who hasn't the
interests of my country at heart."

Marishka glanced around swiftly, her pulses throbbing. Prince Montenuovo
stood beside the desk, immovable.

"Your Majesty," she almost whispered, "my information is of such a
character----"

She paused again and felt the old man's gaze upon her in deeper interest
and curiosity. There was a silence, but if he had had a momentary doubt
of her, it was speedily dispelled, for his rather weary lips parted in a
smile, as he turned to his Chamberlain. "If Your Highness will be
pleased to await my call----"

Prince Montenuovo with a bow withdrew.

"Now, child," said the Emperor, bending slightly forward in his chair,
"will you not tell me freely what ha