Tombstone epitaph., 1915-07-04

uLustiI 10 dli hlUuS or eXCeSSes, WltQ' out even attempting to keep up that outward decorum which is the moral. ity of princes.
 There were few crimes which had not been laid to the charge of this degenerate scion of the house of Or. ange. who appeared to take a delight in outraging public opinion. The worst things which were said about him it would be impossible for me to repeat, and I firmly believe they were un. founded: but enough was known or suspected to make his friendship con. sidered a doubtful honor: and, in short. but for his exalted rank, the doors of society would have been long ago shut in his face.
 Such was this miserable being, on whom, nevertheless. the eyes of Euro pean statesmen had long been anxious. ly fixed. and whose life, by a strange turn of events, had become of the greatest value to France. If you will cast your eye over the map of Europe you will perceive, nestling between the frontiers of France, Ger many and Belgium. the little state of Luxemburg. At the time of which l speak. Luxemburg was united to the Dutch kingdom by a similar tie to that which formerly connected Hanover with Great Britain: that is to say, William III of the Netherlands was also Grand Duke of Luxemburg.
 As in your case. however, the laws regulating the succession were differ ent in the two countries In Holland the crown was capable of being inherited by female in the absence of direct male heirs. whereas in Luxemburg the Salic constitution prevailed. under which no female can ever inherit. Con. seQuently when William III died with. out leaving a son. the Grand Duchy was separated from the Netherlands. just as Hanover became separated from your country on the accession of Queen Victoria. King William left a daughter who inherited the Dutch crown. while Luxemburg passed to the house of Nassau. But at this time there was a prospect of the union of the two territories being maintained in the person of the young prince who had so strangely come beneath my roof France was interested in this question. because it was feared that if Luxemburg passed from under the sway of Dutch monarch. it would fall into the system of the German Empire, to which 1t had formerly be- longed. and thus increase the power of our relentless enemies. The Ger man government on its side earnestly desired this event. which has since come to pass You will now compre- hend what important interest cen tered in the life of Prince Citron,' this disreputable waif of the boule- yards.
 You will acquit ne, I feel certain, of any intention to profit by the acci- dent which had caused me to become the protector of the prince. So little did I expect that I was about to be- come the possessor of a secret sufti- cient to have lighted the flames of war. that I was merely waiting till my guest had sufficiently recovered to offer him my escort to his own resi- dence.
 The first sign I had that he was coming to himself was finding his eyes obstinately fixed upon me in a long gaze. No sooner did he perceive that his look was returned. however. than deep flush suffused his face. he threw up his hands with that pathetic gesture I had observed when I first came upon him, and uttered a sorrow full groan.
 'I sprang to my feet and approached him.
 .1 fear your Royal Highness is un- we'll I said, exaggeratiag the defer ence of my manner in order to soothe his seIf-respect. so cruelty wounded by the events of the night. If there is anything which 1t is in my power to do. respectfully request that you will honor me with your commando
 "'who are your he asked. with re- serve.
 'T explained to him, dwelling on my connection with the Quai dOrsay. in order to inspire him with confi- dence. I went on to add:
 Accident caused me to come up at the moment that your Royal High ness was overcome by illness on the boulevard, and l took the liberty of bringing you to my apartment to re- cover. as I had not the honor to know your address
 He sat up on the couch. and thrust his disordered hair back from his forehead, while he retorted morosely:
 '1 was not i'll; l was-well. hardly myself. You found me lying on the steps of the church. surrounded by those horrible women
 And he groaned afresh at the recol- lection.
 "1t Is not for me to contradict your Highness,' I responded mildly; but should there ever be a question raised as to this affair-which do not anti cipate-I shall adhere to my opinion all the same.
 "As I said this l observed . milder expression coming over his features. He gave me . wistful. questioning