"Will your majesty permit us to cast our eyes backwards for a moment? After the very fatiguing journey in the north, the prince returned straight to conditions of political excitement—Lipara was then under martial law—and afterwards came the bustle of a festival time, when the King and Queen of Syria were here...."
The emperor shrugged his shoulders.
"After that, the prince, acting on the advice of my respected colleagues, went on a sea-voyage to restore his health. No doubt his highness then enjoyed some days of rest; but the great hunting-trips in which he took part with Prince Herman were beyond a doubt too much for his highness' strength. Now, quite recently, his highness has been betrothed: this may have caused him some excitement. I am casually mentioning a few of the main facts, sir. I know nothing of the prince's inner life: if I knew something of that, it would certainly make many things much easier for me. But this is certain: his highness has from day to day led a too highly agitated existence, whatever the agitations may have been, great or small. That his highness did not collapse earlier is no doubt due to an uncommon power of self-control, of which I believe the prince himself to be unconscious, and an uncommon sense of duty, which is also quite spontaneous in his highness. These are high qualities, sir, in a future ruler...."
A faint flush dyed the empress' cheeks; a milder expression suffused the coldness of her features.
"And what is your advice, professor?" she asked.
"That his highness should take an indefinite rest, ma'am."
"His highness' marriage was fixed for next month," remarked the empress, in an enquiring tone.
Professor Barzia's face became quite white and rigid.
"It would be simply inexcusable, if his highness' marriage were to take place next month," he said, with his even, oracular voice.
"Postponed, then?" asked the emperor, with suppressed rage.