Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-09-13
CHAPTER VII.
AFFAIRS OF STATE.


and forth with rumble as OF
distant thunder. They would
4 play with him, eh? Well. they
had loosed the lion this time. He had
sent his valet to summon her highness
and Herbeck.
"And tell them to put everything
else aside"
He kneaded the note in his hand
powerfully. II was anonymous. but It
spoke clearly, like truth. The sender
remained undiscoverable.
Had he not opposed 1t for months?
And now. having surrendered against
his better judgment, this gratuitous af-
front was offered him. 1t was damna-
BILE. He smote the offending note.
War! Nothing less. He was prepared
for 1t. Twenty thousand troops were
now In the valley, and there were
10000 reserves.
Herbeck came calmly In.
why the devil couldn't you have
left we'll enough alone? Read this!"
The duke flung the note down on his
desk.
Herbeck picked 1t up and worked out
the creases.
"wen" The query tingled with
rage.
The answer on the chancellors lips
was not uttered. Hildegarde came In.
He embraced her and kissed her brow.
Read" said the duke to her.
She slipped from her fathers arms
and looked with pity at the chancellor
"What do you think Of this. Hide
garde?"
"Why, father. l think 1t Is the very
best thing in the world" dryly.
IAN insult like this?" The duke
grew rigid. you accept 1t calmly In
this fashion,
"Shall weep and tear my hair
over a boy have never seen? No.
thank you. / was about to make
known to You this very evening that !
had reconsidered the offer. l shall
never marry his majesty"
Herbeck explained the situation.
"Your highness. the regent Is really
not to blame. for his majesty had Civ
en- him free rein In the matter. and
his royal highness. working as have
been for the best interests Of the two
countries. never dreamed that the king
would rebel. The king has been gen.
erous enough to leave the publicity In
our hands-that is to say, he agrees to
accept the humiliation Of being reject
ed by her serene highness."
THAT is very generous Of him" said
the duke sarcastically. "Send for Due
witz."
"Ducwitz. your hlghness" cried the
chancellor. chilled.
immediately"
Your highness. II you call Ducwitz
l shall surrender my portfolio" The
chancellor was firm.
do so. There are others to take up
your work"
Hildegarde few to the dukes side
and snatched at his sleeve.
Father. you are mad!'
"At least ! am master In Ehrenstein.
Herbeck. you will have the kindness
to summon General Ducwitz."
your highness." replied Herbeck. 81
have worked long and faithfully In
your service. I can not recollect that
ever asked one personal favor. But
do so now. Do not send for Ducwitz
tonight. See him In the morning. This
Is no time for haste. You will throw
the army into Jugendheit. and there
will follow a bloody war"
81 will have my revenge" stubborn
ly.
Father. listen to me. am the af-
fronted person. II alone-have the
right to say what shall be done in the
matter. And I say to you If you do
these cruel things. dismiss his excel
lcncy and bring war and death to
Ehrenstein. will never forgive you
never, never! You are wrong, wrong,
and l. your daughter. tell you 80
frankly. Leave 1t to me. There Will
be neither war nor humiliation"
"My dear child" he said. II have
suffered too much at the hands Of Ju-