e eyes of a somewhat doubtful and irreverent
population, and if it could only boast of the annexation of Gloria the
thing would be done. The new government of Gloria flourished splendidly
in despatches, in which they declared their ardent desire to live on
terms of friendship with all their neighbours, but proclaimed that
Gloria had traditions which must be maintained. If Gloria did not mean
resistance, then her Government ought certainly not to have kept such a
stiff upper lip; and if Gloria did mean resistance was she strong enough
to face her huge rival?

This was the particular question which puzzled and embarrassed the
Dictator. He could methodically balance the forces on either side. The
big Republic had measureless tracts of territory, but she had only a
comparatively meagre population. Gloria was much smaller in extent--not
much larger, say, than France and Germany combined--but she had a denser
population. Given something vital to fight about, Ericson felt some hope
that Gloria could hold her own. But the whole quarrel seemed to him so
trivial and so factitious that he could not believe the reality of the
story was before the world. He knew the men who were at the head of
affairs in Gloria, and he had not the slightest faith in their national
spirit. He sometimes doubted whether he had not made a mistake, when,
having their lives in his hand, and dependent on his mercy, he had
allowed them to live. He had only to watch the course of events
daily--to follow with keen and agonising interest the telegrams in the
papers--telegrams often so torturingly inaccurate in names and facts and
places--and to wait for the private advices of his friends, which now
came so few and so far between that he felt certain he was cut off from
news by the purposed intervention of the authorities at Gloria.

One question especially tormented him. Was the whole quarrel a sham so
far as Gloria and her interests were concerned? Was Gloria about to be
sold to her great rival by the gang of adventurers, political,
financial, and social, who had been for the moment entrusted with the
charge of her affairs? Day after day, hour after hour, Ericson turned
over this question in his mind. He was in constant communication with
Sir Rupert, and his advice guided Sir Rupert a great deal in the framing
of the despatches, which, of course, we were bound to send out to our
accredited representatives in Orizaba and in Gloria. But he did not
venture to g