The big doctor looked rather more ridiculous as Chief of Police than as a drenched revolutionary in the Cathedral Square. He was the only one present who seemed out of place in the sumptuous Throne-room. Von Hügelweiler was an aristocrat, and a handsome one at that. Bernhardt, despite his wild, black eyes, was a man of breeding and palpable distinction. Trafford, with his bold features, fierce moustache, and picturesque green uniform, might have been a Polish count of bluest blood and innumerable quarterings. But Matti, with his big hands, heavy features, and ungainly figure, was plebeian from the soles of his enormous feet to the tips of his spatulate fingers. The romance of the situation had no appeal for him. He served the Queen, not because she was young and beautiful, but because he honestly believed Karl to have been a cruel and corrupt monarch, and he hoped for a regenerate and better ordered State under his successor. He represented the prose of the revolution, the grim sense of duty which often makes revolutionaries absolutely callous of individual suffering, so long as their concept of human happiness be furthered. So now he had no sympathy with Gloria's mood of weakness. "But what, madam?" he repeated. She laughed a little hysterically. "I am not sure it is not better fun to be an exile," she sighed. The doctor winced visibly at her words. "Life was not meant for fun," he said irritably. "Mine was, I think," she retorted. "A certain gentleman, by name Herr Saunders, told me I should soon tire of the routine and _régime_ of Queenhood. I laughed him to scorn, but I am beginning to think he knew me better than I knew myself." "Your position has responsibilities as well as pleasures," pursued the doctor. "For instance, we shall have a stern fight to win the recognition of the foreign powers. The assassination of poor Karl,--a brilliant idea on Herr Trafford's part, and a proceeding of which I thoroughly approve,--will take a little swallowing by the Chanceries of Europe." "Poor Karl!" Gloria murmured. "Moreover," the doctor went on, ignoring the comment, "the mere fact of coronation,--important though it may be,--is not necessarily a guarantee of unopposed sovereignty. We have reports from the north-east of Grimland that there is considerable dissatisfaction with the _coup d'etat_ which has just proved fatal to your Majesty's predecessor. They say that the district of Weissheim is in something very like open revolt." Gloria laughed mirthlessly. "I am glad to hear of it," she said. "What is the worth to me of the royalty of men who change their allegiance as readily as they change their coats? Karl was a man. He had his faults, his crimes, if report speaks true; but men licked his hand when he was alive, and I honour them if they fight for his memory when he is dead."