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Markeld also looked excellently satisfied. "Very well," he said, in his autocratic way, "we will proceed as we did yesterday," and he led Susie away. Strange to relate, she followed quite meekly. Somehow, when the moment came, it seemed exceedingly difficult to snub him. "Do you know," he was saying, "I fell quite in love with your father last night.
You see, the whole question reduces itself to that old, heartless, but very sane doctrine of the greatest good of the greatest number." "Why not say all that frankly to the Prince of Markeld?" suggested Sue. "Because, my dear young lady, before we can say anything, we have to give him a chance to say his say.
"The Prince of Markeld," he said, looking at it. "Ah, yes; you will tell His Highness that there has been no change in the condition of Lord Vernon, who thanks him for his kind inquiries." He closed the door and turned back into the room. "Now, what do you think that means?" he asked, of Collins. "That's the second time today. He's getting importunate." Collins stared out of the window gloomily.
The Prince of Markeld had, indeed, immediately upon his arrival, caused his presence to be formally announced to Lord Vernon, but the latter had responded that he was, for the present, under the orders of his physician, who forbade him to see any one or to transact business of any kind.
"He told me he hadn't." "Spoken! You know about it? Oh, dad, what do you mean?" "I mean that a certain William Frederick Albert, of Markeld I believe that's his name or most of it was in here a while ago and had the impudence to ask me to give you to him."
"The Prince of Markeld has been telling me a few things about the succession," she began, resolutely. "You will pardon me, Lord Vernon, when I say I don't think you're treating him quite fairly." "I don't think so myself, Miss Rushford," returned the occupant of the chair, curtly. "His branch of the house seems to be really, in every way, the more deserving." "I haven't the least doubt of it."
"I release you from any engagement with either me or Collins to keep our secret. Let me tell you, I've protested more than once, but I'm no longer a free agent in regard to this thing, and I have to see it through. The very worst moment of all was when Markeld came up to my rooms and apologised for suspecting me. I tell you, I felt like a worm, and a particularly nasty one, at that.
"You will pardon me," he said. "It is marked urgent," and he tore it open. His face brightened as he read it. "Monsieur le Prince," he said, warmly, turning to Markeld, "I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart!" and he handed him the message. Markeld took the paper and glanced at it, then, with beaming eyes, held out his hand. And the duchess, looking on, grew suddenly young again!
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