and he frowned. The statesman, who had once been young, knew a
deal about woman, and he smiled.

"Sometimes, my friends," said the king, "I can see beyond the
human glance. I hear the crumbling of walls. But for that lonely
child I could die in peace. The crown I wear is of lead; God
hasten the day that lifts it from my brow." When the king spoke
again, he said: "And that insolent Von Rumpf is gone at last? I
am easier. He should have been sent about his business ten years
ago. What does Madame the duchess say?"

"So little," answered the chancellor, "that I begin to distrust
her silence. But she is a wise woman, though her years are but
five and twenty, and she will not make any foolish declaration
of war which would only redound to her chagrin."

"What is the fascination in these crowns of straw?" said the
king to the prelate. "Ah, my father, you strive for the crown to
come; and yet your earnest but misguided efforts placed this
earthly one on my head. You were ambitious for me."

"Nay," and the prelate bent his head. "It was self that spoke,
worldly aggrandizement. I wished --God forgive me!--to
administer not to the prince but to the king. I am punished. The
crown has broken your life. It was the passing glory of the
world; and I fell."

"And were not my eyes as dazzled by the crown as yours were by
the robes? Why did we leave the green hills of Osia? What
destiny writes, fate must unfold. And oh, the dreams I had of