"From the very first, although he did not tell me so then, he saw that I had been simply exploited by this heartless and unprincipled scoundrel, Prince Adalbert of Rittersheim. But your father," she proceeded, turning to Dolores and placing her hand on hers, "your father, my dear, by his self-sacrifice and the pure affection which he bore me, saved me.
"He realised that he had to do with a villain whose object was plunder, and who at that time dominated the situation. He foresaw that a liberal outlay of money was the only thing that would rid me of this fiend. He went to Prince Adalbert and simply asked him his price.
"He named at first an exorbitant sum, and the diamonds of my late father contained in the steel safe.
"This was refused. Don Juan at last brought him to his knees by defying him and telling him to do his worst.
"Then he agreed to a yearly pension of one hundred thousand dollars, which would be paid to him on condition that he left me unmolested.
"He made a fight for the custody of the child which was coming, as I doubt not he thought that he could have a greater hold over me if he had it, but this request was flatly refused, and he sailed away from Aquazilia the richer by a great income, but bought at the price of a loving woman's happiness."
The old queen stopped and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Do not go on, your Majesty," urged Dolores, half dazed at the disclosures; "you distress yourself."
The old lady brightened at once and pressed her hand, putting away her handkerchief.
"No," she answered; "I prefer to tell you all and now.