"So I have heard, your Majesty."
"And you loyally rejoice with us, Countess?"
The question was so marked in the intonation of the King's voice that
Frina Mavrodin was on her guard in a moment. "She is a woman, your
Majesty, and, since I am no politician, I pity the woman."
"I am not without pity, either, Countess," was the answer. "The Princess has been ill-advised, and the onus lies with those who have advised and supported her. It is upon them punishment should rightly fall."
"And who are they?" asked the Countess.
"That is a question to which there is no complete answer," said the King. "There is only one I can name definitely. But there is one person in Sturatzberg who could answer the question, so I am informed, and so I believe."
"And he will not answer?"
"She has not yet been asked," the King returned.
"A woman, your Majesty?"
"A very beautiful woman; yourself, Countess."