The Goose Girl. Harold MacGrath

the state.

      She was lovely enough to inspire fervor and homage and love in all masculine minds. She was witty and talented. Carmichael said she was one of the most beautiful women in Europe. Later he modified this statement by declaring that she was the most beautiful woman in Europe or elsewhere. Yet, often she went about as one in a waking dream. There was an aloofness which was not born of hauteur but rather of a lingering doubt of herself.

      She was still in the window-seat when the chancellor was announced. She distrusted him a little, she knew not why; yet, when he bent over her hand she was certain that his whole heart was behind his salute.

      "Your Highness," he said, "I am come to announce to you that there waits for you a high place in the affairs of the world."

      "The second crown in Jugendheit?"

      "Your father—?"

      "Yes. He leaves the matter wholly in my hands."

      The sparkle in his eyes was the first evidence of emotion she had ever seen in him. It rather pleased her.

      "It is for the good of the state. A princess like yourself must never wed an inferior."

      "Would a man who was brave and kind and resourceful, but without a title, would he be an inferior?"

      "Assuredly, politically. And I regret to say that your marriage could never be else than a matter of politics."

      "I am, then, for all that I am a princess, simply a certificate of exchange?"

      His keen ear caught the bitter undercurrent. "The king of Jugendheit is young. I do not see how he can help loving you the moment he knows you. Who can?" And the chancellor enjoyed the luxury of a smile.

      "But he may not be heart whole."

      "He will be, politically."

      "Politics, politics; how I hate the word! Sometimes I regret my garret."

      The chancellor frowned. "Your Highness, I beg of you never to give that thought utterance in the presence of your father."

      "Ah, believe me, I am not ungrateful; but all this is new to me, even yet. I am living in a dream, wondering and wondering when I shall wake."

      The chancellor wrinkled his lips. It was more of a grimace than a smile.

      "Will you consent to this marriage?"

      "Would it do any good to reject it?"

      "On the contrary, it would do Ehrenstein great harm."

      "Give me a week," wearily.

      "A week!" There was joy on the chancellor's face now, unmasked, unconcealed. "Oh, when the moment comes that I see the crown of Jugendheit on your beautiful head, all my work shall not have been in vain. So then, within seven days I shall come for your answer?"

      "One way or the other, my answer will be ready then."

      "There is one thing more, your Highness."

      "And that?"

      "There must not be so many rides in the morning with his excellency, Herr Carmichael."

      She met his piercing glance with that mild duplicity known only to women. "He is a gentleman, he amuses me, and there is no harm. Grooms are always with us. And often he is only one of a party."

      "It is politics again, your Highness; I merely offer the suggestion."

      "Marry me to the king of Jugendheit, if you will, but in this I shall have my way." But she laughed as she laid down this law.

      He surrendered his doubt. "Well, for a week. But once the banns are published, it will be neither wise nor—"

      "Proper? That is a word, Count, that I do not like."

      "Pardon me, your Highness. All this talk is merely for the sake of saving you needless embarrassment."

      He bowed and took his leave of her.

      "Jugendheit! Ah, I had rather my garret, my garret!"