and preoccupied. Finally she turned to her
first maid of honor, and cried in a sharp tone:

"Really, Madame, it is extraordinary that the electric lights should
have been turned on while it is still daylight!... Kindly see that they
are extinguished."

The first maid of honor, very embarrassed, passed along the order to the
second maid of honor, who in turn hunted up the lady of the household,
who relaid the message to the captain of the guard, and while he went in
search of the proper subordinate, the attention of the Court was
distracted by the entrance of an individual to whom everybody paid the
greatest deference.

The Chamberlain announced:

"His Highness, Prince Gudulfin!"

The Prince was a distinguished looking young man of twenty-five,
clean-shaven and dressed with extreme care and richness of attire.

He presented a great contrast to his cousin, the Queen of Hesse-Weimar,
and as he approached the throne, his head high and a sarcastic smile on
his lips, Hedwige seemed to shrink into her armchair, unable to meet the
look in his eyes.

The suppressed hatred of the reigning dynasty for the younger branch was
of ancient date and a matter of common knowledge. The recent and
prolonged absence of Frederick-Christian had given Prince Gudulfin the
opportunity by which he had profited to advance his claims and conspire
for the overthrow of the Government, with himself as the King of
Hesse-Weimar.

Therefore his presence was regarded as a great piece of audacity, and
every eye was watching how the Prince would be received. The question in
every mind was whether the Grand Duchess Alexandra, a woman of majestic
presence and great beauty, would also appear. Prince Gudulfin had been
paying her conspicuous attentions, and it was rumored that the Duchess
dreamed of a nobler crown than the one her rank gave her title to bear.

The appearance of the two at the Queen's reception! What a scandal! But
with the presence of the Prince came definite word that the Duchess had
excused herself on the ground of a severe headache, a pretext which
deceived nobody.

Prince Gudulfin, after observing the correct formalities, stood before
the Queen waiting for the invitation to sit by her side.

Hedwige, still preoccupied by the electric lights, seemed to have
forgotten him, and the situation was fast becoming embarrassing for the
Prince, who could neither go nor stay. It was not long, however, before
he saw what was troubling the