would rather sit with the boy in the Champs-Elysees and point
out the people as they go by than drive at the side of the
prettiest woman in Paris. He always treats him as though he
saw the invisible crown upon his head; he will throw over any
of us to stay in the nursery and play tin soldiers with him.
And when he was ill--" Barrat nodded his head significantly.
"You remember."

"That will do," said the King. "We have no time to consider
the finer feelings of the jackal; he is to be sacrificed, and
that is all there is of it. The prsence of the child may make
him more unmanageable, but it will certainly make it easier
for me. So go, bring the boy here as I bid you."

Barrat left the room and returned immediately, followed by the
Crown Prince and his nurse. The Prince was a dark, handsome
little fellow of four years. His mother had died when he was
born, and he had never played with children of his own age,
and his face was absurdly wise and wistful; but it lighted
with a sweet and grateful smile when anyone showed him
kindness or sought to arouse his interest. To the Crown
Prince Kalonay was an awful and wonderful being. He was the
one person who could make him laugh out of pure happiness and
for no reason, as a child should laugh. And people who had
seen them together asked which of the princes was the older of
the two. When the child entered the room, clinging to
Barrat's finger, he carried in his other hand a wooden spade
and bucket, still damp with sand, and he was dressed in a
shabby blue sailor suit which left his little legs bare, and
exposed the scratches and bruises of many falls. A few