“Possibly not. But I see no reason why any American, much less the most useful young man in the United States, should be sacrificed to the Austrian dynasty. If it were a matter concerning your happiness, I might hesitate, for I love you as well as I do Fessenden; but when patriotism goes into the balance with family affection, pride also casts in a heavy weight.” “But why do you speak so surely of sacrifice? Men are always falling in love with women, and always getting over it.” “I have thought a good deal in the last few days. If Fessenden fell in love with you, he would have a hideous time getting over it--if he ever did.” “If he fell in love with me? You do not think he has, then?” “He is in the first stage now. I suppose a man can get over that. But quite aside from his feelings, I don’t wish to see him made a fool of.” “I have no desire to make a fool of him.” “I should like to know what you call it. Do not let us quibble. If you cannot love my brother send him away.” “How would it help the matter if I did love your brother? I hope you do not wish me any such unhappy fate as that.” “I wish only for your happiness. You know that from my point of view the impossible is always possible. And it is not altogether the American point of view. Heaven knows the Hapsburgs have adopted it more than once. I hear that another of your illustrious cousins is about to renounce his rights of possible succession, and his titles, in order to marry an actress--or is it a girl in a chocolate shop?” “They are insignificant--they lose nothing but their titles and their position at court, for which presumably they care nothing. And you know my sorrow and disgust at all such poverty of self-respect and sense of duty. We need not go over that old ground again. You know that with me it would always be my house first. I should never consider myself for a moment.” “Then send my brother away. He was an after-thought. You had made all your plans to succeed without him.” “I am convinced that when William has made his Germany as strong and prosperous--when he has fulfilled that first ideal of his reign--and when my father is dead--he means to make war on Russia, and that your brother means to furnish the enormous sum necessary. And if William conquered Russia--” she waved her hands expressively. “It is by no means certain that William will conquer Russia. It is a large order. The rest of Europe, to say nothing of England, would have something to say about it.”