"He? By no means. I was passed on from one to another, and everywhere treated like a nice boy. The whole was clearly concerted."
"Perhaps one of our great matchmakers was at the bottom of it," said the Hereditary Prince.
"Not in my case, depend upon it. I am ill looked upon by the conclave of mothers of our country, who have in charge the feelings of our princely families. They would not stir a finger for me."
"If my father has not done it, or none of our relations, the Lord High Steward must have done it."
"Bless you for this supposition," exclaimed Victor. "If he wishes to have me here then all is right."
"Have you spoken to him?"
"I have been with him; he talked to me about the campaign, and spoke in his usual friendly way, but nothing more."
"Then it was he, you may depend upon it."
"But why?" asked Victor. "What can I do here?"
"That you must not ask me; he favors me with little of his confidence."