People over whom he was elected to reign? Here was a problem, and one not easy to solve. But what was very plain and paramount to his mind was this,--that he was thoroughly sick and tired of being no more than a ‘social’ figure in the world’s affairs. It was an effeminate part to play. It was time, he considered, that he should intelligently try his own strength, and test the nation’s quality. “If there is corruption in the state,” he said to himself, “I will find its centre! If I am fooled by my advisers then I will be fooled no longer. With whatsoever brain and heart and reason and understanding the Fates have endowed me, I will study the ways, the movements, the desires of my people, and prove myself their friend, as well as their king. Suppose they misunderstand me?--What matter!--Let the nation rise against me an’ it will, so that I may, before I die, prove myself worthy of the mere gift of manhood! To-day”--and, rising from his chair, he advanced a step or two and faced the sea and sky with an unconscious gesture of invocation; “To-day shall be the first day of my real monarchy! To-day I begin to reign! The past is past,--for eighteen long years as prince and heir to the throne I trifled away my time among the follies of the hour, and laughed at the easy purchase I could make of the assumed ‘honour’ of men and women; and I enjoyed the liberty and license of my position. Since then, for three years I have been the prisoner of my Parliament,--but now--now, and for the rest of the time granted to me on earth, I will live my life in the belief that its riddle must surely meet with God’s own explanation. To me it has become evident that the laws of Nature make for Truth and Justice; while the laws of man are framed on deception and injustice. The two sets of laws contend one against the other, and the finite, after foolish and vain struggle, succumbs to the infinite,--better therefore, to begin with the infinite Order than strive with the finite Chaos! I, a mere earthly sovereign, rank myself on the side of the Infinite,--and will work for Truth and Justice with the revolving of Its giant wheel! My people have seen me crowned,--but my real Coronation is to-day--when I crown myself with my own resolve!” His eyes flashed in the sunshine;--a rose shook its pink petals on the ground at his feet. In one of the many pleasure-boats skimming across the sea, a man was singing; and the words he sang floated distinctly along on the landward wind. “Let me be thine, O love, But for an hour! I yield my heart and soul Into thy power,--Let me be thine, O Love of mine, But for an hour!” The King listened, and a faint shadow darkened the proud light on his face. “‘But for an hour!’” he said half aloud--“Yes,--it would be enough! No woman’s love lasts longer!” CHAPTER III A NATION OR A CHURCH?