“Well, not just yet, Lovey,” her husband uneasily replied. “You see the public mind isn't quite ripe for it yet. We must feel our way. Of course we'll have the coach-and-four out, at once. And I'll take the title of Emperor, as soon as we can safely hold an Election. But they'll hardly stand our using the Jewels, as long as they know the Warden's alive. We must spread a report of his death. A little Conspiracy--” “A Conspiracy!” cried the delighted lady, clapping her hands. “Of all things, I do like a Conspiracy! It's so interesting!” The Vice-Warden and the Chancellor interchanged a wink or two. “Let her conspire to her heart's content!” the cunning Chancellor whispered. “It'll do no harm!” “And when will the Conspiracy--” “Hist!', her husband hastily interrupted her, as the door opened, and Sylvie and Bruno came in, with their arms twined lovingly round each other--Bruno sobbing convulsively, with his face hidden on his sister's shoulder, and Sylvie more grave and quiet, but with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Mustn't cry like that!” the Vice-Warden said sharply, but without any effect on the weeping children. “Cheer 'em up a bit!” he hinted to my Lady. “Cake!” my Lady muttered to herself with great decision, crossing the room and opening a cupboard, from which she presently returned with two slices of plum-cake. “Eat, and don't cry!” were her short and simple orders: and the poor children sat down side by side, but seemed in no mood for eating. For the second time the door opened--or rather was burst open, this time, as Uggug rushed violently into the room, shouting “that old Beggars come again!” “He's not to have any food--” the Vice-warden was beginning, but the Chancellor interrupted him. “It's all right,” he said, in a low voice: “the servants have their orders.” “He's just under here,” said Uggug, who had gone to the window, and was looking down into the court-yard. “Where, my darling?” said his fond mother, flinging her arms round the neck of the little monster. All of us (except Sylvie and Bruno, who took no notice of what was going on) followed her to the window. The old Beggar looked up at us with hungry eyes. “Only a crust of bread, your Highness!” he pleaded. {Image...'Drink this!'} He was a fine old man, but looked sadly ill and worn. “A crust of bread is what I crave!” he repeated. “A single crust, and a little water!” “Here's some water, drink this!” Uggug bellowed, emptying a jug of water over his head. “Well done, my boy!” cried the Vice-Warden. “That's the way to settle such folk!” “Clever boy!”, the Wardeness chimed in. “Hasn't he good spirits?” “Take a stick to him!” shouted the Vice-Warden, as the old Beggar shook the water from his ragged cloak, and again gazed meekly upwards. “Take a red-hot poker to him!” my Lady again chimed in.