Perhaps the Ambassador felt sorry for Ellerey, but there was nothing he could do.
"Has your Majesty ever supposed that Princess Maritza is, or has been lately, in Sturatzberg?" he asked after a pause.
"It is impossible. Your Government has sent her visiting your colonies, a delicate attention, which, no doubt, she appreciates."
"Just so, and yet I had a strange story brought to my notice. I heard that she had managed to escape the delicate attention of my Government and had returned to Wallaria. Needless to say, I did not believe the story, but the deliverance of her token certainly lends credence to it."
"She might send her token," said the King; "she would not venture herself in the country, much less in Sturatzberg."
"That was my opinion," answered Cloverton.
"Do you mean that it is not your opinion now?"
"I am in a transitional stage, your Majesty, and have not yet decided."
So there were troops of soldiers in the streets lest rioters should gather together and do damage. No one imagined there was enough power behind them to really menace the city. A few men talked together excitedly in side streets, but these dispersed quietly after a little while without any interference from the soldiers.
The Countess Mavrodin drove in the Bois as usual. She held a little court, her carriage drawn up to the sidewalk, and she listened to and laughed at all the news. What could it all matter to her so long as she could laugh and chatter and be happy?