“Not justly, sir, nor the whole. I sang your praises; I was loyal to my friendship and my humiliating task. Never doubt that for one instant. But what was the force of an advocacy so recommended? What any but a prince might have foretold. I was scorned, I was repudiated, and rightly, because my honour was in question; and that I could not endure. It was above all things dear to me, and I wrought to exculpate it. I could not have gained a hearing without--and that is my excuse and my crime.” He ended, breathing deeply. Still the unwinking eyes canvassed him, and without emotion, it seemed. “You sought to convince her of your honour?” “I had no alternative.” “By converting it, so vindicated, to a dishonourable purpose?” “I never ceased to extol your Highness’s noble qualities--no, not to the end.” “The end!” For the first time some emotion showed itself in Joseph’s face. He started, as if he would rise; but leaned back again, resolute to control himself. “You may question my honour, sir,” said Tiretta. “In the name of God, leave hers unsullied by a thought.” Steadfastly, for some moments, the two regarded one another; then Joseph rose from his chair, and, walking to a window, stood looking out upon an inner court of the palace which it commanded. Presently, without turning, he spoke: “You are very severe on princes, my friend; yet it seems they can be guileless in their trusts.” “If, sir, by guileless you mean despotic, they are the most trusting souls on earth. So might we all be, if a wish with us overruled, without question, every possible or impossible objection. How can princes enter into common human feelings when they have had no least experience of them? To feel, one must suffer and be denied.” “Do I not feel? I think I could convince you.” “You feel for yourself, sir--I do not doubt it--in this disillusionment about one you had thought to be your true friend and servant.” “I feel for you, Tiretta.” He had turned as he spoke, and now came forward, until he stood face to face with the man who had wronged him. There was a look in his eyes strangely like compassion. “Truly I can feel for you,” he said--“as for anyone who lets his heart go out towards the unattainable.” A shadow seemed to fall upon the soldier’s face. “So speaks the prince,” he said--“generous and fine-minded; but still the prince. Can a prince be slave to love, sir?” “History would seem to say so.” “Ah! He may rule everything else, but not that: he cannot rule what, in common with all men, he is subject to. A prince in love is just a man in love. He, too, may suffer the unattainable.” For some moments the archduke stood silent; then, slightly nodding his head, made answer: