He shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh,” said the Queen, “I’ve been here for more than two months already and I like it better every day.”
“Really?” said von Moll. “What a pity that you are leaving so soon.”
“But I’m not leaving. What makes you think I am?”
“I understand,” said von Moll, “that Mr. Donovan has resold the island to King Konrad Karl.”
“Whatever put that into your head?” said the Queen.
“I am perhaps mistaken,” said von Moll, “in saying that the island has already been resold; but very soon it will be.”
“Oh no, it won’t,” said the Queen. “It’s my island, you know, my very own, and I wouldn’t part with it for anything you could offer me.”
“I understand,” said von Moll, “that it is the Emperor’s wish that the island should revert to the Crown of Megalia.”