es,
their humble ambitions! Believe me, monsieur, as yet I love no man;
but that is no reason why I should link my life to that of a man to
whom virtue in a woman means nothing. He caused my mother great
sorrow. He came between her and my father. He spoiled her life, now
he wishes to spoil mine. But I will not have it so. I will give up my
principality rather. But first let me try to see if I cannot retain
the one and rid myself of the other. Listen. To-morrow night there
will be a dinner here. The King and the inner court will hold forth.
But they will cast aside their pomp and become, for the time being,
ordinary people. The Prince will be in Brussels, and therefore unable
to attend. You are to come in his stead."

"I?" in astonishment.

"Even so," she smiled. "While the festivities are at their height you
and I will secretly leave and return to the city. We shall go
immediately to the station, thence to France."

I looked at her as one in a dream. "I!--You!--thence to France?"

CHAPTER V

Hillars went to the sideboard and emptied half a glass of brandy.
Coming back to his chair he remained in a reverie for a short time.
Then he resumed his narrative.

The Princess looked up into my face and smiled.

"Yes; thence to France. Ah, I could go alone. But listen, monsieur.
Above all things there must be a scandal. A Princess elopes with an
American adventurer. The Prince will withdraw his suit. The King may
or may not forgive me; but I will risk it. He is still somewhat fond
of me, notwithstanding the worry I have caused him. This way is the
only method by which I may convince him how detestable this engagement
is to me. Yet, my freedom is more to me than my principality. Let the
King bestow it upon whom he will. I shall become a teacher of
languages, or something of that sort. I shall be free and happy. Oh,
you will have a merry tale to tell, a merry adventure. You will return
to your country. You will be the envy of your compatriots. You will
recount at your clubs a story such as men read, but never hear told!"
She was growing a bit hysterical. As she looked at me she saw that my
face was grave.

"Is there no other way?" I asked. "Can it not be accomplished without
scandal?"

"No. There must be scandal. Otherwise I should be brought back and
forgiven, and no one would know. In a certain sense, I am valuable.
The Hohenphalians love me; I am something of an idol to them.