"The trouble does not bother me."
"Oh!" said he, "I know that."
"Then, may I ask," said I, "if the Duke of Lotzen knows of these Decrees?"
"The Heir Presumptive is always made acquainted with the Laws of his House."
"What, think you, then, Sire, would be his attitude in such an anomalous situation as would follow my presence in Valeria as Hugo's heir?"
"You mean, how would he view a rival for the Crown?"
"Well, that's a bit broader than I intended," said I.
The King laughed. "There is no need for us to mince words—the matter is perfectly evident. Under the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to make you eligible to the Crown; and that necessarily would displace Lotzen and make you Heir Presumptive. How do you think he would view it?"
"How would any man view it?" I asked.
"But what have Lotzen's views to do with the matter?" Frederick asked sharply. "I am the King; here are the Laws. What Dalberg would dispute them?"