“You need it all, my dear chevalier,” said she, with a saucy smile. “Harzewitch told me that your diplomatic people were inferior to those of the third-rate German States; that, in fact, they never had any 'information.'” “I know what he calls 'information,' Princess; and his remark is just. Our Government is shockingly mean, and never would keep up a good system of spies.” “Spies! If you mean by an odious word to inculpate the honor of a high calling--” “Pray forgive my interruption, but I am speaking in all good faith. When I said 'spy,' it was in the bankrupt misery of a man who had nothing else to offer. I wanted to imply that pure but small stream which conveys intelligence from a fountain to a river it was not meant to feed. Was n't that a carriage I heard in the 'cour'? Oh, pray don't open the window; there's an odious _libeccio_ blowing to-day, and there's nothing so injurious to the nervous system.” “A cabinet messenger, your Excellency,” said a servant, entering. “What a bore! I hoped I was safe from a despatch for at least a month to come. I really believe they have no veneration for old institutions in England. They don't even celebrate Christmas!” “I'm charmed at the prospect of a bag,” cried the Princess. “May I have the messenger shown in here, Princess?” “Certainly; by all means.” “Happy to see your Excellency; hope your Ladyship is in good health,” said a smart-looking young fellow, who wore a much-frogged pelisse, and sported a very well-trimmed moustache. “Ah, Stevins, how d'ye do?” said Upton. “You've had a cold journey over the Cenis.” “Came by the Splugen, your Excellency. I went round by Vienna, and Maurice Esterhazy took me as far as Milan.” The Princess stared with some astonishment. That the messenger should thus familiarly style one of that great family was indeed matter of wonderment to her; nor was it lessened as Upton whispered her, “Ask him to dine.” “And London, how is it? Very empty, Stevins?” continued he. “A desert,” was the answer. “Where's Lord Adderley?” “At Brighton. The King can't do without him,--greatly to Adderley's disgust; for he is dying to have a week's shooting in the Highlands.” “And Cantworth, where is he?” “He's off for Vienna, and a short trip to Hungary. I met him at dinner at the mess while waiting for the Dover packet. By the way, I saw a friend of your Excellency's,--Harcourt.” “Not gone to India?” “No. They've made him a governor or commander-in-chief of something in the Mediterranean; I forget exactly where or what.” “You have brought me a mighty bag, Stevins,” said Upton, sighing. “I had hoped for a little ease and rest now that the House is up.” “They are all blue-books, I believe,” replied Stevins. “There's that blacking your Excellency wrote about, and the cricket-bats; the lathe must come out by the frigate, and the down mattress at the same time.”