walls and from the alcoves of the lofty roof. Then a veil
hanging between two pillars was drawn aside, and the prince's train
appeared. There were a detachment of the guard, splendid in their
unrelieved gold, and the officers of the court, at their head
Cassyrus, the premier, who had manifestly been compounded of Heaven
to be a drum-major, and had so undeviating a look that he seemed
always to have been caught, red-handed, at his post. Last came
Prince Tabnit, dressed in pure white save for a collar of precious
stones from which hung the strange green gem that St. George
remembered. His clear face and the whiteness of his hair lent to him
an air of almost unearthly distinction. His delicate hands wearing
no jewels were at his sides, and his head was magnificently erect.
He mounted the dais as the music sank to silence, and without
preface began to speak.

"My people," he said, and St. George felt himself thrilling with the
strength and tenderness of that voice, "in the continuance of this
our time of trial we come among you that we may win strength and
courage from your presence. Since one mind dwells in us all, we have
no need of words of cheer. That no message from his Majesty, the
King, has come to us is known to you all, with mourning. But the
gods--to whom 'here' is the same as 'there'--will permit the
possible, and they have permitted to us the presence of the daughter
of our sovereign, by the grace of the infinite, heir to the throne
of Yaque. In two days, should his Majesty not then have returned to
his sorrowing people, she will, in accordance with our custom, be
crowned Hereditary Princess of Yaque and, after one year, Queen of
Yaque and your rightful sovereign."

As the prince paused, a little breath of assent was in the room,
more potent than any crudity of applause.

"Next," pursued the prince, "we would invite your attention to our
own affairs, which are of importance solely as they are affected by
the immemorial tradition of the House of the Litany. Therefore, in
accordance with the custom of our predecessors for two thousand
years," lightly pursued the prince, "we have named this day as the
day of our betrothal. Moreover, this is determined upon in justice
to the daughters of the twenty peers of Yaque, whose marriage the
law forbids until the choice of the head of the House of the Litany
has been made..."

St. George listened, and his hope soared heavenward as the hope of
young love will soar, in s