"What sovereign allows his house to die out, Othomar? Do not be foolish. Cling to tradition: that is all in all to us. Don't have such strange ideas upon this question. They are not those of a future--I had almost said--autocrat; they are not those of a monarch. You understand, Othomar, do you not? You must, you must marry...." Her voice sounded more decided than usual, sounded almost hard. "And, dearest boy," she continued, "thank the circumstances and marry now, as quickly as possible. Our relations with foreign countries are at this moment such that there are no particular indications as to whom you ought to marry. You can more or less pick and choose. For you are the crown-prince of a great empire, my boy, of one of the greatest empires in Europe...." He tried to speak; she continued, hurriedly: "I repeat, you can--very nearly--choose. You don't know how much that means. Appreciate this, appreciate the circumstances. Travel to all the courts of Europe that are worth considering. Use your eyes, make your choice. There are pretty princesses in England, in Austria...." Othomar closed his eyes an instant, as though exhausted with weariness: "Later on, mamma," he whispered. "No, my boy," said the empress, "do not speak of later on, do not put off. Think it over. Think how you will order your journey and whom you will take with you and then talk it over with papa and Myxila. Will you promise?" He just pressed his head against her and promised, with a weary smile. "But what's the matter with you, my boy?" she asked. "What is it?" His eyes grew moist. "I don't know, mamma. I am so tired sometimes...." "Aren't you well?" "Yes, I'm all right, but I am so tired...." "But why, my child?" He began to sob softly: "Tired ... of everything ... mamma." She looked at him for a long time, shook her head slowly, disapprovingly. "Forgive me, mamma," he stammered, wiping his eyes. "I shan't give way like this again...." "You promised me that once before, Othomar dear." He leant his head against her once more, like a child: "No, really," he declared, caressingly, "I really will resist it. It is not right of me, mamma. I will employ myself more, I shall grow stronger. I swear to you I shall grow stronger for your sake...." She again looked long in his eyes, with her pure smile. Utter tenderness went out from her to him; he felt that he would never love any one so much as his mother. Then she took him in her arms and pressed him close against her: "I accept your promise and I thank you ... my poor boy!" she whispered through her kiss. At this moment there came a buzz of young voices, as though from birds set free, out of the park, through the open windows. The tripping of many little feet grated on the gravel. A high, shrill, childish voice suddenly rang with furious words from among the others; the others were silent.... The empress started with a shock that was electric. She drew herself up hastily, deadly pale: