“Fortunately, she is close at hand,” said the Chancellor. “To you, more than to any other, I can open my heart in speaking of our great peril. This girl has drawn the Emperor into a fit of moon-madness. It is no more serious than that, and were she out of the way, he would wake as from a dream. But this is the moment of the crisis. He must be saved now, or he is lost forever, and all our hopes with him. Blessed would be the man who brought my poor master to his senses. I have tried and failed. But you could do it.”
“I?”
“The sword of justice is ready for your hand.”
“That sentence has a solemn ring. I don’t see what you want me to do. But—what sort of woman is this who has bewitched your grave Leopold?”
“Beautiful, and clever, as women are clever; but not clever enough to fight her battle out against you and me.”
The Prince laughed again. “It isn’t my métier to fight with women. I prefer to make love to them.”
“Ah, you have said it! That is what I beg your Royal Highness to do.”
“How am I to get at her, when Leopold stands guard—”
“He will not be on guard for some hours.”