“We are doing our best to reduce their privileges gradually,” replied Caerleon. “They have behaved extremely well so far, on the whole, and we have no excuse for heroic measures.” “Nevertheless, you would find such a measure your best policy, if I may venture to advise you,” said the Prince. “I could almost envy you the task of bringing your army into shape. It might turn out little less exciting than actual war.” “Perhaps you would like the privilege of doing it?” suggested Caerleon. “But I forgot, you have declined it already. If you have no objection to telling me, I should very much like to hear why you refused the Thracian crown when it was offered you?” “To tell the truth,” replied the Prince, confidentially, “it was because I thought that I should find Thracia dull. Drakovics imagined that I was afraid to accept the offer, and I was afraid--that I should be bored. You see, it was not likely that my election would excite the opposition yours has done, for I had the Schwarzwald-Molzau influence behind me from the first. But under present circumstances, I must own, the position looks more hopeful. You have the army to reform, and also Drakovics to conquer. I see you are beginning to teach him that the State is not Drakovics, but he has not fully learnt the lesson even yet. Yes, I think that, on the whole, the situation is distinctly interesting.” “I am glad that it strikes you in that light,” said Caerleon. “I suppose I am not up to the work.” “What! you are not thinking of abdicating?” asked the Prince, in dismay. “Abdicating? No! Now that I’m here I’ll stick to the place. The kingdom has cost me enough already, but I’ll stay on until I’m driven out, and try the temperance experiment properly, in spite of obstructionists and rioters.” “You take things too seriously, my dear fellow,” said the older man compassionately. “Look at me. I live quietly, I am not devoted to philanthropy, or any other form of excitement. I recognise that these are days for management, not for despotism. If a wave of excitement of any kind should arise, it might carry me with it, though not by my own choice. Similarly, I might find it necessary, were I in your position, to issue a decree, and enforce its fulfilment, but I should much prefer to flatter the people into originating it themselves. But you young men must always plunge into things so madly. You will have prompt obedience, unreasoning submission instantly. You have not learned to take things easily.” “I am afraid I have an invincible prejudice in favour of wearing out rather than rusting out,” said Caerleon; “and I think,” he added, with a quiet smile, “that your own early history would be on my side, Prince, if I called it as a witness against you.”