“I expect my colleague to return to lunch, certainly, but I cannot answer for his movements. His attendance upon the Queen has occupied a large proportion of his time of late. Her Majesty is pleased no longer to seclude herself so completely from the world. I had the honour of attending her upon a mountain ride yesterday.” At the close of this long series of brief sentences, General Banics confronted Mansfield with an expression of great severity, as though to say, “Allude to the indiscreet revelations made to you on your last visit if you dare!” “I am glad her Majesty is so much better--in spirits, I mean,” Mansfield added hastily. “Do you think there is any chance of my being permitted to see her?” “To see the Queen? you must be mad! And why is her Majesty to receive you, pray?” “I am the bearer of a message from Count Mortimer.” “From Count Mortimer? You did not say that when you were here last.” “It was unnecessary. You did not ask me.” Suspicion and indignation strove for the mastery in General Banics’s countenance. “Excuse me, I see my colleague coming. I must meet him,” he said brusquely, and hurried off to intercept M. Stefanovics on his way across the yard, and inform him of this new development of affairs. The chamberlain looked aghast. “Did you obtain an interview with her Majesty the last time you were here, monsieur?” he demanded of Mansfield, plunging violently up the steps of the verandah as he spoke. “No, I saw no one but a lady-in-waiting named Von Staubach.” “There!” said M. Stefanovics, obviously much relieved, to General Banics, “you see the change in her Majesty cannot be owing to----” a reproving glance cut him short, and he turned again to Mansfield. “But what is your message, monsieur? or is it private?” “Oh, no, not at all. Count Mortimer is ordered to make a short stay at Brutli for his health, and he is anxious to know whether his presence here would be disagreeable to her Majesty.” “This is an outrage!” cried M. Stefanovics, almost dancing with rage. “Is it possible that the man can dare to force his presence again upon our august mistress, pursuing her even into the solitudes whither she has retreated to hide her sorrows? He, of all people! Such shamelessness is incredible.” “Stefanovics, you are a fool!” growled General Banics. “How can it affect her Majesty if the Count comes here? His movements have no interest for her. His sending this message is a piece of impertinence. If you attribute any importance to it, you encourage the man in his presumption.” “Settle it between yourselves, gentlemen,” said Mansfield mildly. “I am fortunate in having her Majesty as the final court of appeal.” M. Stefanovics dragged the General aside, and they talked rapidly and emphatically for some minutes, such sentences reaching Mansfield as, “Can he have written already?” “He is aiming at re-establishing his old ascendency.” “He thinks that by coming here ill he will move her pity.”