Zrinyi, who was not in a sentimental mood, continued: “I have a surprise for this night, if not an earthquake. I find that the peasantry all through these mountains have been much excited since they heard the Princess was coming here--that is to say, the sister of Rudolf. Most of the young men were beaters at one time or another for him, and those who were not, and the old and the women, invariably managed to see him when he came to Görgény. His delightful manners, combined with the halo of monarchy, made them worship him in a manner which few modern princes have known--Ludvig II. perhaps furnishes the only parallel. Nor will they believe him dead. They know that our princess resembles him in many respects, and doubtless they have some sort of hope that she can give them definite news of him, that perhaps she has come to announce his return from the dim unknown. So I have sent men about inviting them to come here to-night. She has another opportunity to draw to herself the love that has been wasted since Rudolf’s death. I am grateful that she is looking her best to-night, for although she is always beautiful, she has appeared less brilliant of late.” “She wears color to-night,” said Alexandra dryly; “that is the whole secret.” “I am not a fool, mademoiselle; I understand quite well, and sincerely wish she could be happy. But unhappiness is the fate of princes. They are born in sacrifice, and they die in it, having known little else. But our princess has so much to give--it is a great pity I don’t waste my sympathies on them as a rule. And your brother--it is his first disappointment? It will go hard with him, but any man worth the name can get over anything.” “That is comforting! If Ranata and Fessenden suddenly made up their minds to run off, should you help them?” “Run off? Great Heaven! How could you conceive such a thing even in jest? The Hapsburgs have done a good deal for love--but that!” “An American? That is the point? It would be a good beginning.” “I have always wondered,” murmured Zrinyi, “why you did not put three heads on your eagle while you were about it.” “The two-headed one was sufficiently absurd to deter us. You have not answered my question. Should you help them?”