nd or
else marry the American.' In that way also Salissa would return to the
Crown of Megalia."

Gorman fully expected that Madame Ypsilante would at once have broken
every glass on the table. It would not have surprised him in the least
if she had torn handfuls of hair off the King's head. To his amazement
she laughed. It was a most unpleasant laugh. But it was not the laugh
of a lunatic. It was not even hysterical.

"That imbecile," she said, "that miss!"

Her contempt for the girl left no room for jealousy. Madame Ypsilante
did not seem to care whether the King married or did not.

"I don't think much of that plan," said Gorman. "Your Emperor may be
the everlasting boss you seem to think----"

"In the register of Lloyd's," said the King, "he takes place in the
class A 1st."

"But," said Gorman, "he hasn't much sense if he thinks that a girl
like Miss Donovan can be married off in that way to any one he chooses
to name. I'm not saying anything against your character, sir----"

"My Konrad," said Madame Ypsilante, "is Konrad."

"Exactly," said Gorman. "Those are my points put concisely in two
words. First he's yours and next he's himself. No. I don't think that
you've much chance of buying back the island, but you've no chance at
all of marrying the girl."

"I do not want either the one or the other," said the King. "I do not
care the cursing of a tinker, not a two-a-penny damn if I never put my
eye on the island or the girl. Arrange which you prefer. I place both
into your hands, my dear Gorman. I leave them there. I shall put my
foot on the bill if you buy and the price is moderate. I shall toe the
scratch if you arrange that I lead the American to the altar of Hymen.
Settle, arrange, fix down which you will."

Gorman gasped. He was always ready to give disinterested advice
in the King's affairs. He was even willing to lend a helping hand
in times of difficulty; but he was startled at being asked to act
as plenipotentiary for the sale of a kingdom or the negotiation of
a royal marriage.

"Do you mean to say," he said, "that you expect me to arrange the
whole thing?"

"You have tumbled to the idea with precision," said the King. "You
have caught it on. You are wonderful, my friend. Thus everything
arranges. You go to Salissa and tell the American the wishes of the
Emperor. Corinne and I return to Paris. If a sale is arranged----"

"I will not part with my pearls," said Madame. "Neither for the
Emperor