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His face had not regained its claret red color, and its present tint suggested that it had been carved out of a Camembert cheese; but he was gradually taking the measure of current events in Kosnovia. "Barricades seem to argue decided opinions," he said, and there was a perceptible tinge of cynicism in the phrase that jarred on his hearers. "One must be bold at times," muttered Count Julius.
You see, Alec himself is not a member of the national church, nor am I, and a drawback that may be overlooked when a Slav Princess becomes Queen of Kosnovia would have been a fatal thing for me." Poluski could not but admire Joan's splendid detachment in speaking of Alec's hypothetical wife. His thin lips creased in a satirical grin. "Is that it," said he, "the everlasting religious difficulty?
"And pray what is that?" she cried. "Haven't you heard of Kosnovia? It is a little Balkan State." "Is there some mystery, then, about your name?" "Oh, no; plain Alec." "Am I to call you plain Alec?" "Yes." "But it follows that you would call me plain Joan." "Let it go at Joan." "Very well. Good morning, Alec." "No, no, Miss Vernon. Don't be vexed. I really did not mean to be rude.
It occurred to him that he ought to summon help and clap the soi-disant King and his henchman into prison. But on what charge? Could any royal pretender put forth more reasonable plea? And Kosnovia is near enough to the East to render sacred the claims of hospitality. "One moment, I beg," he stammered. "Why has your why have you come to me? What am I to do? The Assembly "
It was written in German, probably to insure accurate transmission, and it read: My mother and I, together with Beaumanoir, left Delgratz seven hours later than you. Pauline accompanies us. We are returning to Paris after having settled affairs satisfactorily in Kosnovia.
If any jack in office in Kosnovia acts like these Semlin policemen, and a Kosnovian official refuses to put matters straight, by all means let Austria teach the offenders a sharp lesson. She will have my complete approval, as I hope I have yours on the present occasion." "But, your Majesty, such action on your part does really amount to a declaration of war!" "Ridiculous!
"It has ever been your Majesty's wish that we should state our opinions fully and freely," continued the agitated Nesimir. "I, for one, was only anxious to make known to you the sentiments that obtain currency in my own circle. I may be wrong. Delgratz is not Kosnovia " "Rubbish!" shouted Stampoff, hammering the table with a clenched fist.
"If I am to be a King, I mean to dispense with these bad habits," said Alec. "We need our railway fares only, General. Once at Delgratz, our fickle Kosnovia must either maintain us or shoot us. In either event, we are provided for." "Still, we must have sufficient funds to secure a foothold," urged Stampoff. "I charge myself with providing ten thousand francs," said the Greek.
"I know, of course, that your ideas and mine on these subjects differ very greatly," he said after a pause, and with a perceptible return to his grandiose manner; "but as you say rightly, both of us are old enough to realize that a reigning King can marry none but a Princess of some royal house. Again, the King of Kosnovia must marry a Serb.
"Prince Michael!" snarled the royal Delgrado. "You must learn to school your tongue, Julius! From this moment I am King of Kosnovia. Let there be no manner of doubt about that!" Alec might not have heard the blusterer. His calm glance fell on Beliani. "And what say you?" he asked.
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