"I am quite satisfied with it," rejoined the Sovereign, examining sharply the countenance and bearing of the little man. He began to vouchsafe a feeling of interest for the Magister. "You must have formerly had opportunities of exercising this art in a remunerative way."
"It has been reserved for your Highness to render my little dexterity valuable to me," replied Knips; "hitherto I have only practised such imitations for my own pleasure, or here and there to please others."
The Sovereign laughed, and went away with a gracious nod. Magister Knips was judged to be very useful.
The Princess was sitting at her writing-table; the pen in her little hand flew over the paper; sometimes she looked into a book, which had a learned appearance, and copied passages which were designated by marks. Steps in the ante-room disturbed her work; the Hereditary Prince entered, with an officer in foreign uniform.
"Sit down, children!" exclaimed the Princess. "Put aside your sabre, Victor, and come to me. You have become a handsome fellow: one can see that you have taken your place among strangers."
"I am breaking my way through," replied Victor, shrugging his shoulders, and laying his sabre cautiously near, that he might reach it with his hand.
"Be tranquil," said the Princess, consolingly; "we are now safe; he is busy."
"If he said so, we must not depend upon it," replied Victor. "You have become serious, Siddy. Even the room is changed--books, nothing but books." He opened one at the title-page. "'Archaeology of Art.' Tell me, what are you doing with this trash?"
"I am breaking my way through," repeated Siddy, shrugging her shoulders.