“Well, you oughtn’t to tell everything, or he won’t need to see you, and you want to be able to throw yourself at his feet, and melt his heart by your pleading. We must make up something slow and sad--like the stories.” And to Nadia’s astonishment, the practical business-like woman threw back her head, half-closed her eyes, and recited her improvised plaint in a kind of chant. “Most Illustrious Majesty,--Deign to permit a mourner to approach your royal throne. “She comes not to cast a shadow upon your marriage joy, but to plead with you for the one she loves more than life. “The beloved of her soul is doomed to death--death undeserved, death most cruel--and you alone can avert this fearful sorrow. “Great is the power of the law, but greater is the word of the King. “For you heaven has ordained happiness; do not, then, refuse to look upon those to whom bitterness and sorrow are appointed. “Give to the suppliant who now appeals to you the joy of beholding the light of your countenance, that you may be assured that not only your mercy, but your justice, will be satisfied if you grant her petition. “That God may grant you a long and happy life with the royal lady to whom your troth is plighted, is the wish of all your subjects. “But especially, whether you grant her entreaty or refuse it, will it be the prayer of her who is now kneeling before you.” “It is splendid!” said Nadia. “I should never have thought of such a way of putting it. It could not be better--except that I shall say ‘this shameful murder,’ instead of ‘this fearful sorrow.’ They say the King loves justice, and that will show him that a crime will be committed if he refuses to interfere.” “You are bold,” said her friend. “But after all, no doubt the King will stand more from a girl than he would from an old woman, and he is an Englishman, and boldness may please him.” CHAPTER XVIII. SO NEAR, AND YET----