tside, too.

She arrived in Dresden and sought refuge with her widowed mother. Her
father, a Court-Councillor, dismissed because of the relations between
the Duke and his daughter, died of grief and mortification, almost
penniless. And the Ducal widow is as poor as the mother--and three
children to bring up! Children of the royal blood of Saxony, children
sanctioned by the Church of which they prate so much, for there is no
doubt that the pair married in secret.

The late Highness kept all his papers in a strong-box, and it's said the
King's representative, who searched the safe by Royal orders, found
neither acknowledgment of the marriage, nor a last will in favor of the
widow and children. Hence, all the Duke's belongings revert to the
royal family, and the estate he lived on goes to his next of kin, Johann
George.

Johann George, who has more money than he knows what to do with,
promptly sent the bailiff after his cousin's wife and children.

"_Noblesse oblige_,--the way you interpret the old saying, will advance
the cause of monarchy immensely," I said to the official heir.

"Is it any business of mine to support my relatives' mistresses?" I saw
he was mad clean through.

"You know very well that she was his wife."

"There is apparently no official record of the marriage."

"Maybe not in Dresden, as the nuptials were solemnized abroad. But what
about the testament?"

Johann George grew very red in the face. "If there is one, the King must
have confiscated it. That often happens in royal houses."

"And you mean to say that, with all your riches, you are heartless
enough and contemptible enough----"

"Take a care, Your Imperial Highness. The Duke's strumpet was today
indicted for _lese majeste_ in connection with the testament matter."
This junior prince dared to speak thus to me, the Crown Princess.

"Johann George," I cried, "forget not that sooner or later I will be at
the head of the royal family of Saxony. I forbid you to introduce your
mess-room jargon into my parlor; at the same time I am sincerely sorry
that a Prince of Saxony should stoop to buy cigarettes and gasoline with
the pittance stolen from his cousin's widow and her three little
children."

I went to the door and told the lackey on duty to fetch his Royal
Highness's carriage.

CHAPTER XXXV

FLIRTATION DEVELOPS INTO LOVE

At the theatre--My adorer must have felt my presence--Forgot his
diplomacy--The mute salute--His