Prince Soudaroff shrugged his shoulders. “What would you have? You have hedged us in so completely that we must capitulate or starve. I suppose it is understood that if we withdraw our opposition at Czarigrad you get us the loan we want on easy terms?” “I regret to say that no money can pass until our concession is actually granted. Aid in corn you shall have to any reasonable extent.” “This is ungenerous, Count. Why such distrust of our honour?” “It is a compliment to you, Prince. We must make things safe.” “Well, I suppose you rely on cruel necessity to bring us to our knees. But there is one indispensable condition. The proposed governor of Palestine must be an Orthodox prince.” “That is not our affair. It is for the Powers to decide.” “Nonsense, my friend! No one knows better than you how to manage the Powers. You and your syndicate can impose your will upon them in this particular as in others. Our honour forbids us to accept anything else. Our past history, the blood we have shed in the Christian cause against the infidel----” “Let me advise you to write it off as a bad debt, Prince.” “Impossible. I dare not return to Pavelsburg without this modification. The Emperor is firm. He will risk and lose everything rather than yield the point.” “Then he must bring the Powers to see it in the same light.” “But that is impossible, I tell you. We have no means of bringing them to our side. Come, Count, we must have your help. Prince Kazimir of Dardania is our candidate--a German on the mother’s side. Europe will not be irreconcilable. What can we offer you to ensure his election?” “Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything I want,” drawled Cyril. “Money--when we get it? Titles--we will make you a prince? Political power?--come, we will propose you as High Commissioner of Minoa, and you can enjoy yourself there to your heart’s content.” “Thanks, Prince; it’s not big enough.” “Well, if you will not accept anything for yourself, what of your family? Would you care to see your niece Queen of Thracia? Roburoff tells me that young Michael is perfectly infatuated with her.” “Unfortunately there is an obstacle, in the shape of the Princess of Dardania and her daughter.”