hould some be placed higher than
others? A prince is no better than I am, and may be not half so good.

"Sometimes I like to get up high somewhere and look down on every one
else; every one else looks so small that it's comforting. The true
philosopher has no desire; he sits down and views the world as if he
were not a part of it. Perhaps it is best so. Yes, I would like four
millions and a principality.... Heigho! how bracing the air is, and what
a night for a ride! I've a mind to exercise Madame's horse. A long lone
ride on the opposite side of the lake, on the road to Italy; come, let's
try it. Better that than mope."

He mounted to the veranda, and for the first time he noticed the
suppressed excitement which lit the faces of those around him. Groups
were gathered here and there, talking, gesticulating, and flourishing
the evening papers. He moved toward the nearest group.

"The archbishop has dismissed the cabinet... crisis imminent."

"The Austrian minister has recalled his invitations to the embassy
ball."

"The archbishop will not be able to form another cabinet."

"Count von Wallenstein..."

"Mollendorf and Beauvais, too--"

"The king is dying... The archbishop has been given full powers."

"The army will revolt unless Beauvais is recalled."

"And the Marshal says here..."

Maurice waited to hear no more, but climbed through the window into the
office.

"By George, something has happened since last night. I must have an
evening paper." He found one, and read an elaborate account of what had
taken place during the day. Von Wallenstein had been relieved of the
finance. Mollendorf of the police, Erzberg of foreign affairs, and
Beauvais of his epaulettes. There remained only the archbishop, the
chancellor and the Marshal. The editorial was virulent in its attack on
the archbishop, blustered and threatened, and predicted that the fall
of the dynasty was but a matter of a few hours. For it asserted that
the prelate could not form another cabinet, and without a cabinet
there could be no government. It was not possible for the archbishop to
shoulder the burden alone; he must reinstate the ministry or fall.

"And this is the beginning of the end," said Maurice, throwing aside the
paper. "What will happen next? The old prelate is not a man to play to
the gallery. Has he found out the double dealing of Beauvais? That takes
a burden off my shoulders--unless he goes at once to the duchy. But why
wasn't the c