The Prime Minister turned upon him with a frown.
“Your Royal Highness will permit me to suggest,” said he, “the propriety, under the circumstances, of neither you nor the Archduke addressing each other.”
And Lotzen, discerning that the Council was of the same mind, nodded easily.
“I cry pardon,” he replied. “Your Excellency is quite right—but you will understand, I deny the existence of this suspiciously timely decree. As to it, at least, there is no presumption of execution—the Laws alone can prove it.”
The Count turned to the Archduke. “Your Highness has seen the decree?” he asked.
“I have not.”
“Did the King tell you it was executed?”
“He did not—but he told another.”
“And that other——?”
“Is the Princess Royal,” said the Archduke.