“And does the Princess approve of these artistic pleasures?” “By no means, Count; but she cannot persuade his Majesty to relinquish them, and since his mother left Thracia there is no one else who can even pretend to influence him.” “But what a shameful thing for the Queen to leave Thracia when she had allowed her son to bring all this trouble upon the kingdom!” broke in Mansfield, who had imbibed from Lady Philippa an inveterate dislike of the woman whom she regarded as her uncle’s evil genius. “What has she done with herself?” “Young man,” said Prince Mirkovics severely, “her Majesty was deeply affected by the unhappy events which drove Count Mortimer from Thracia. Her uncontrollable grief reflected so severely upon her son and the Princess of Dardania, that they proposed to place her in seclusion, alleging that she suffered from delusions. Warned in time, the Queen succeeded in escaping from the kingdom, accompanied by several faithful members of her household. From Czarigrad, where she took refuge, she made terms with her son, who agreed to pay her jointure without protest if she withdrew altogether from politics in future. Her Majesty then retired to a community of Protestant nuns on Mount Lebanon, where she occupies herself in good works and in bewailing the past. My daughter is one of those who share her exile, gladly devoting their lives to the service of their unfortunate mistress. Count Mortimer knows that I disliked the Queen’s being appointed regent, but nothing can excuse King Michael’s conduct to his mother.” Cyril had remained silent while Prince Mirkovics spoke. His face was very pale, and it was with evident difficulty that he said-- “Have you no remedy to propose for the state of things in Thracia, Prince?” “I have; but it is a drastic one. You wonder, perhaps, to see me here? Do you know that I am on my way home from England--I who have never left Thracia before? I visited your brother, to inquire whether there was any hope of his returning to the throne in this extremity.” “My dear Prince!” “How are we better off than when we were under the house of Franza, Count? Your brother came to our help then, but he refuses now.” “And quite right, too. Accepting the offer of a vacant throne is a very different thing from annexing an occupied one.” “Well, Count, we turn to you. Will you return to Thracia as Prime Minister? The country is on our side, and we propose to set before the King the alternatives of accepting you as Premier or as Regent. The Constitution makes provision for such an appointment in case of the incurable extravagance or deliberate viciousness of the monarch.” “Pray speak lower, Prince. You are talking treason, and in Ludwigsbad the very rocks have ears. No; I cannot come. I have other work on hand.” “You are doing something for the Jews. Oh, throw them over.”