“Indeed, she has. She has been much sought after and has refused many an offer.”
“And you yourself, Herr Helmer, in all this giving of advice, has your heart remained without a wound?”
“Your Highness ... I....”
“Well, well; it was an indiscreet question. Pray don’t feel obliged to answer it.”
The valet brought the afternoon mail on a silver salver, and at the same time announced that His Excellency the adjutant to the King of Italy desired to see His Highness. Chlodwig arose and took his departure.
The prince shook hands with him: “Auf wiedersehen. We will have another talk—not on indiscreet questions, but about dirigible ships of State.”
“Papa, am I interrupting you?”
Gwendoline stood at the door of Toker’s room.
“Of course, you interrupt me, for I am never unoccupied. But come in, Gwen; it will do me good to have you divert me a little from all kinds of melancholy things.”
The young girl stepped nearer. “How is that? You are in trouble! Does not everything go according to your wish in this rose-magic of which you are yourself the great conjurer?”