“That I was in love with the Princess? But, my dear friend, a screen is sometimes necessary. At any rate, both the Queen and the Princess know the truth now.” “Then I suppose that’s the secret of the snubbing you got the other night? It certainly was tremendous. I was really sorry for you.” “Well,” pursued the Prince, “the Queen has treated me better than I could have dared to hope. She is so good as to give her sanction to my plans for a private marriage to-night.” “But why private?” asked Cyril. “My friend, I have Ministers, who interest themselves unduly in my affairs at times. I wish to present my marriage to them as an accomplished fact.” “I see; and no doubt the Queen thinks that a public wedding might encourage the rest of her ladies to go and do likewise, a consummation which would scarcely meet her views. Well, if the ruling power is so propitious, why don’t you go in and win?” “That is all that I desire. I have everything prepared at my summer-palace five miles away, the chapel ready, witnesses, Greek and Lutheran clergy to perform the ceremony. But how shall I reach my bride? King Johann has peopled the forest in the neighbourhood of the castle with gamekeepers and frontier-guards, and if I am seen, all is lost. The news would be carried to him immediately, and he bears such a grudge against me that he would spare no pains to discover my object and to thwart it.” “But still, I don’t see what you want me to do,” said Cyril. “Merely this, to bring my bride from the castle, and escort her to me here. I have two good horses waiting, one with a lady’s saddle, and it will not take you long.” “But do you think I am going to compromise myself in this way out of pure philanthropy?” said Cyril. “I insist on being asked to the wedding.” “Then I fear that you will be obliged to escort the bride all the way to my house, while I start off on foot,” said the Prince, “for I have not brought another horse.” “The honour is only too great,” returned Cyril. “I am determined that nothing shall do me out of my share of the fun. Why, I daresay you have never even thought of getting hold of any one to propose the health of the bridal pair, and I’ve been told I’m rather good at that sort of thing.” “No; I have not, indeed,” said the Prince. “You are in earnest? Then I will give you your directions, and part from you here. When you have delivered your message, and left the castle, knock three times at the postern-door close to the angle of the wall on this side. If the mistress of the household opens it, say that you are come on my behalf to fetch Fräulein von Staubach.” “What? the lectrice?” asked Cyril. “Yes; Fräulein von Staubach is the Queen’s lectrice and secretary. You know her?” the Prince asked, rather anxiously. “I have caught a glimpse of her once or twice--just enough to see that she was a fair-haired girl in spectacles. She doesn’t show up as much as some of the other ladies.”