"Because when companies of people get sufficiently rich not to have to work they grow to like whatever will appeal to their vanity and self-importance. There is a halo round a title, and you can leave it to your children. A king becomes a necessity then." "An American king! It does seem a strange idea. Well, we shall not be there to see, so it does not matter to us. 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.'" "History always repeats itself. Look at the Romans, a civilized republic, and then they must have an emperor." "And then the barbarians came and the whole thing was blotted out. And so in the end, _à quoi bon_? No one was ever benefited." "But the world would not go on if we said '_à quoi bon_' to everything. The fortunate thing is that for the time we think things matter immensely. When people begin to feel nothing matters at all, it is because their livers are out of order. And when a nation becomes apathetic, that is what is the matter too. Look at Italy or Spain! Their livers are completely out of order. All their institutions are jaundiced and each country is going down-hill." "Poor Spain and Italy!" I said, and I laughed. "I like to hear you laugh, I don't care what it is about," said the Duke. "I believe if I had your great position and traditions of family I should try to be a strong influence in the country. I would try to make a name for myself in history," I said. "I would not be contented with being just a duke." "Ah, if I had you always near me perhaps I should," and he sighed pathetically. "Now, now! you are breaking your bargain, and talking personally, which will bore me." "But you began it. I was quietly discussing something--the evolution of the world, I think--when you gave me your opinion of what you would do in my case." I laughed. "Yes, but I am permitted to be illogical, not being a man, and I am thinking it might cause me an interest if I had your case." "I will tell you what my grandfather, the tenth Duke, said to me when he was a very old man--you know his record, of course? He was one of the greatest politicians and _litterateurs_ of his time, but had been in the Guards when a boy, and at sixteen fought at Waterloo. 'After having tasted the best of most things in life, Robert,' he said, 'I can tell you there are only two things really worth having--women and fighting.'" III Before the end of my visit to Harley the Duke and I became fast friends, and while not possessing Antony's lightness of wit or personal attractions, he is an agreeable companion and out of the ordinary run of young men. He promised me, as we said good-bye, that he would think of my words, and try to do something with his life to deserve my good opinion. "Come here whenever you are lonely, dear child," said my beautiful hostess, as we parted. "We delight in having you, and you must not mope at home all by yourself."