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I cannot think of it without tearing out a heart-string and suffering such pains as mortal man has never endured. I lived in Graustark's days of wealth, power and supremacy; God has condemned me to live in the days of her dependency, weakness and poverty. Let us talk no more of this unpleasant subject." His hearers pitied the frank, proud old man from the bottoms of their hearts.
Desecrate the couch of Graustark's ruler? I, the poor goat-hunter? I'll use the lion for a pillow and the rock for an operating table. In ten minutes my men can have these scratches dressed and bound in fact, there is a surgical student among them, poor fellow. I think I am his first patient. Ravone, attend me."
Baldos walked forth a free man, the plaudits of the people in his ears. Baron Dangloss and Colonel Quinnox were beside the tall guard as he came forward to receive the commendations and apologies of Graustark's ruler and the warm promises of reward from the man he served. He knelt before the two rulers who were holding court on the veranda.
She was as calm as a spring morning. "If all this be true, Count Marlanx, may I ask why you, the head of Graustark's army, did not intercept the spy when you had the chance?" Marlanx flushed guiltily. The question had caught him unprepared. He dared not acknowledge his presence there with the hired assassins. "I I was not in a position to restrain him," he fumbled.
The Quinnoxs have guarded Graustark's rulers for I don't know how many generations. History does not go back so far, I fear. You may depend on it, there will be no living guardsmen inside those walls when Marlanx lays his hands on the Prince." That night recruits from the farms and villages began to straggle into the camp.
Together they consulted until midnight. Shortly after daybreak the morning following. Count Marlanx was in the train for Vienna, never to set foot on Graustark's soil again. He was banished and his estates confiscated by the government. The ministry in Edelweiss was not slow to reopen negotiations with Dawsbergen.
At the home of Graustark's princess Beverly met the dukes and barons from the far east; it was in the warmth of the Calhoun hospitality that Yetive formed her dearest love for the American people. Miss Beverly was neither tall nor short.
Expectancy, concern, the dread of uncertainty marked the countenances of Graustark's ministers and her chief men as they sat in the council chamber on the day following, awaiting the appearance of their Princess, at whose call they were unexpectedly assembled. More than two score eyes glanced nervously toward the door from time to time. All realized an emergency.
"The old Prince's wedding gift to Graustark is to be a document favoring us with a ten years' extension," she said, scornfully. "And where is she to live?" "Here, of course. She is Graustark's ruler, and here she insists on abiding. Just contemplate our court! Over-run with those Axphain dogs! Ah, she has wounded Graustark more than she has helped her."
Then, putting her aside he strode over and gallantly kissed the hand of Graustark's princess, beaming an ecstatic smile upon the merry Beverly an instant later. "Welcome, Prince Dantan," said Yetive, "A thousand times welcome." "All Graustark is your throne, most glorious Yetive. That is why I have asked to be presented here and not in the royal hall below," said Ravone.
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