“I am inclined to think Upton has come here about that young fellow we gave up to the Austrians last autumn, and for whom he desires to claim some compensation and an ample apology.” “Apology, of course, Stubber,--humiliation to any extent. I'll send the Minister Landelli into exile,--to the galleys, if they insist; but I 'll not pay a scudo,--my royal word on it! But who says that such is the reason of his presence here?” “I had a hint of it last night, and I received a polite note from Upton this morning, asking when he might have a few moments' conversation with me.” “Go to him, Stubber, with our invitation. Ask him if he likes shooting. Say I am going to Serravezza on Saturday; sound him if he desires to have the Red Cross of Massa; hint that I am an ardent admirer of his public career; and be sure to tell me something he has said or done, if he come to dinner.” “There is to be a dinner, then, sir?” asked Stubber, with the air of one partly struggling with a conviction. “I have said so, Chevalier!” replied the Prince, haughtily, and in the tone of a man whose decisions were irrevocable. “I mean to dine in the state apartments, and to have a reception in the evening, just to show Rosenkrantz how cheaply we hold him. Eh, Stubber? It will half kill him to come with the general company!” Stubber gave a faint sigh, as though fresh complications and more troubles would be the sole results of this brilliant tactique. “If I were well served and faithfully obeyed, there is not a sovereign in Europe who would boast a more independent position,--protected by my bold people, environed by my native Apennines, and sustained by the proud consciousness--the proud consciousness---that I cannot injure a state which has not sixpence in the treasury! Eh, Stubber?” cried he, with a burst of merry laughter. “That's the grand feature of composure and dignity, to know you can't be worse! and this, we Italian princes can all indulge in. Look at the Pope himself, he is collecting the imposts a year in advance!” “I hope that this country is more equitably administered,” said Stubber. “So do I, sir. Were I not impressed with the full conviction that the subjects of this realm were in the very fullest enjoyment of every liberty consistent with public tranquillity, protected in the maintenance of every privilege--By the way, talking of privileges, they must n't play 'Trottolo' on the high roads; they sent one of those cursed wheels flying between the legs of my horse yesterday, so that if I had n't been an old cavalry soldier, I must have been thrown! I ordered the whole village to be fined three hundred scudi, one half of which to be sent to the shrine of our Lady of Loretta, who really, I believe, kept me in my saddle!” “If the people had sufficient occupation, they 'd not play 'Trottolo,'” said Stubber, sternly.