ever on the
damosels? Conning madrigals for lovers' lutes, mayhap? And all the while
taking no more heed of God's honest princes than if they existed only for
trampling under your feet."

I asked his pardon--but indeed I had not come so nigh him as that.

"I am to fight in a private quarrel," said I, "and, truth to tell, I
sorely want a second, and was pondering whom to ask."

The Prince sighed.

"Ah, lad," he said, "once I had wished no better than to stand up at
your side myself. I was not a Prince then though; and again, these
laws--these too strict laws of mine! But what is the matter of your
duel, and with whom?"

"Well," said I, "I have slapped Count von Reuss's chafts with his own
glove, in the midst of his friends, on the upper terrace."

'Tis possible I may be mistaken, I suppose, but I did think then, and
still do think, that I saw evident tokens of pleasure on the face of
the Prince.

"And the cause--"

I hesitated, blushing temple-high, I dare say, in spite of the growth of
my mustaches.

"A woman, then!" cried the Prince. Then, more low, he added, "Not the--?"

He would have said the Princess, for he paused, in his turn, with a
graver look on his face.

So I hastened with my explanation.

"He insulted the young Lady Helene, maid of honor to the Princess, who is
to me as a sister, having been brought up with me in one house. Her honor
is my honor, both by this tie, and because, as you know, we have long
loved each other. Therefore will I fight Count von Reuss to the death,
and a good cause enough."

The Prince whistled--an unprincely habit, but then all millers' lads
whistle at their work. So Prince Karl whistled as he meditated.

"I see further into this matter than that--if indeed you love this maid.
There be other things to be thought upon than vengeance upon Von Reuss!
Does the Princess know of this?"

"Suspect she may," said I; "know she cannot. It was only half an hour ago
that I knew myself."

"Ha," said he, musingly, with his beard in his hand, "it hath gone no
further than that. Were it not, if possible, better to conceal the cause
yet a while that our compact may go on? It were surely easy enough to
invent an excuse for the quarrel."

"Prince," answered I, earnestly, "this bargain of ours hath gone on over
long already, in that it hath brought a true maid's honor and happiness
in question. And a maid also whom I am bound to love. I will ask you
this, have I been a good soldi