The late Highness kept all his papers in a strong-box, and it's said the King's representative, who searched the safe by Royal orders, found neither acknowledgment of the marriage, nor a last will in favor of the widow and children. Hence, all the Duke's belongings revert to the royal family, and the estate he lived on goes to his next of kin, Johann George. Johann George, who has more money than he knows what to do with, promptly sent the bailiff after his cousin's wife and children. "_Noblesse oblige_,--the way you interpret the old saying, will advance the cause of monarchy immensely," I said to the official heir. "Is it any business of mine to support my relatives' mistresses?" I saw he was mad clean through. "You know very well that she was his wife." "There is apparently no official record of the marriage." "Maybe not in Dresden, as the nuptials were solemnized abroad. But what about the testament?" Johann George grew very red in the face. "If there is one, the King must have confiscated it. That often happens in royal houses." "And you mean to say that, with all your riches, you are heartless enough and contemptible enough----" "Take a care, Your Imperial Highness. The Duke's strumpet was today indicted for _lese majeste_ in connection with the testament matter." This junior prince dared to speak thus to me, the Crown Princess. "Johann George," I cried, "forget not that sooner or later I will be at the head of the royal family of Saxony. I forbid you to introduce your mess-room jargon into my parlor; at the same time I am sincerely sorry that a Prince of Saxony should stoop to buy cigarettes and gasoline with the pittance stolen from his cousin's widow and her three little children." I went to the door and told the lackey on duty to fetch his Royal Highness's carriage. CHAPTER XXXV FLIRTATION DEVELOPS INTO LOVE At the theatre--My adorer must have felt my presence--Forgot his diplomacy--The mute salute--His good looks--His mouth a promise of a thousand sweet kisses--Our love won't be any painted business. DRESDEN, _April 6, Night, 1897_. The talk with Johann George had excited me so, I wanted a diversion. Frederick Augustus sent word that he wouldn't be home for dinner. Hence, I decided to go to the theatre after an absence of months. It was after six when I telephoned that I would occupy my box at the Royal Opera. If I should see Him there, in the absence of announcements in the newspapers! He was there. In his usual seat. I won't rest until I find out how he manages to get wind of my theatrical ventures at such short notice. The Opera, Faust, had been in progress for ten minutes when I arrived. I espied him at once, but kept well behind the curtains of the box for a second or two. Then, suddenly, I dropped into the gilded armchair and the very same moment our eyes met.