and was quieted. His little turgid life dwindled to its true proportions; and he saw himself (that great flame- hearted martyr!) stand like a speck under the cool cupola of the night. Thus he felt his careless injuries already soothed; the live air of out-of-doors, the quiet of the world, as if by their silent music, sobering and dwarfing his emotions.

`Well, I forgive her,' he said. `If it be of any use to her, I forgive.'

And with brisk steps he crossed the garden, issued upon the Park, and came to the Flying Mercury. A dark figure moved forward from the shadow of the pedestal.

`I have to ask your pardon, sir,' a voice observed, `but if I am right in taking you for the Prince, I was given to understand that you would be prepared to meet me.'

`Herr Gordon, I believe?' said Otto.

`Herr Oberst Gordon,' replied that officer. `This is rather a ticklish business for a man to be embarked in; and to find that all is to go pleasantly is a great relief to me. The carriage is at hand; shall I have the honour of following your Highness?'

`Colonel,' said the Prince, `I have now come to that happy moment of my life when I have orders to receive but none to give.'

`A most philosophical remark,' returned the Colonel. `Begad, a very pertinent remark! it might be Plutarch. I am not a drop's blood to your Highness, or indeed to any one in this principality; or else I should dislike my orders. But as it is, and since there is nothing unnatural or unbecoming on my side, and your Highness takes it in good part, I begin to believe we may have a capital time together, sir -- a capital time. For a gaoler is only a fellow-captive.'

`May I inquire, Herr Gordon,' asked Otto, `what led you to accept this dangerous and I would fain hope thankless office?'

`Very natural, I am sure,' replied the officer of fortune. `My pay is, in the meanwhile, doubled.'

`Well, sir, I will not presume to criticise,' returned the Prince. `And I perceive the carriage.'

Sure enough, at the intersection of two alleys of the Park, a coach and four, conspicuous by its lanterns, stood in waiting. And a little way off about a score of lancers were drawn up under the shadow of the trees.