“I see,” said the Grand-Duke; “that is well thought of You have considered the matter on all sides, Count. Have you gone so far as to think of any particular lady in connection with the subject.”
“Your Royal Highness asks the question merely for form’s sake. The Princess Frederike of Hercynia alone fulfils all the conditions, so far as I am aware.”
“Are you making proposals for my daughter’s hand on behalf of your master, Count?” snapped the Emperor of Hercynia.
“I have no authority to take such a step, sir. My place is merely to offer the suggestion for which your Majesty asked.”
“He is right,” said the Emperor of Pannonia. “Why should we stand on ceremony in a secret council such as this? Count Mortimer’s solution of the difficulty is the same as that which occurred to ourselves, and provided that the preliminaries are arranged now, everything can be done in due form later. But, Count, it is important for us to know whether you can ensure the acceptance of the arrangement by Thracia. The hand of a Princess of Hercynia must not be made the subject of factious discussion.”
“I can answer for the acceptance by the country of any measure proposed by myself, sir, if the precautions I have suggested are observed. The danger lies in a different direction.”
“You mean that the Princess of Dardania is likely to set herself in opposition to the scheme? But is it in her power to do any harm?”
“That depends upon our method of procedure, sir. What was your Majesty’s intention with respect to the settlement of the matter?”
“What course would you recommend, Count?”
“There is no time like the present, sir. My advice would be to arrive at a distinct understanding with her Majesty the Queen-Regent, and allow the affair to come to the knowledge of all the royal personages here before they leave Molzau. No formal announcement could be made as yet, owing to the youth of both parties, but it would quickly become known that the marriage was in prospect, and the desired impression would be produced.”