“Ah, we have not gone so far as that.  The king, through his uncle, has simply made a proposal.  How would you regard it, knowing what you do of the past, the years that you lived in comparative penury, amid hardships, unknown, and almost without name?”

“It is for you to decide, father.  Whatever your decision is, I shall abide by it.”

“It is a hard lesson we have to learn, my child.  We can not always marry where we love; diplomacy and politics make other plans.  But fortunately for you you love no one yet.”  He put his hand under her chin and searched the deeps of her gray eyes.  These eyes were more like her mother’s than anything else about her.  “The king is young, handsome, they say, and rich.  Politically speaking, it would be a great match.”

“I am in your hands.  You know what is best.”

The duke was poignantly disappointed.  Why did she not refuse outright, indignantly, contemptuously, as became one of the House of Ehrenstein?  Anything rather than this complacency.

“What is he like?” disengaging his hand and turning her face toward the window.

“That no one seems to know.  He has been to his capital but twice in ten years, which doubtless pleased his uncle, who loves power for its own sake.  The young king has been in Paris most of the time.  That’s the way they educate kings these days.  They teach them all the vices and make virtue an accident.  Your father loves you, and if you are inclined toward his majesty, if it is in your heart to become a queen, I shall not let my prejudices stand in the way.”

She caught up his hand with a strange passion and kissed it.

“Father, I do not want to marry any one,” wistfully.  “But a queen!” she added thoughtfully.

“It is only a sound, my dear; do not let it delude you.  Herbeck advises this alliance, and while I realize that his judgment is right, my whole soul revolts against it.  But all depends upon you.”

“Would it benefit the people?  Would it be for the good of the state?”

Here was reason.  “Yes; my objections are merely personal,” said the duke.

“For the good of my country, which I love, I am ready to make any sacrifice.  I shall think it over.”

“Very well; but weigh the matter carefully.  There is never any retracing a step of this kind.”  He stood up, his heart heavy.  Saying no more, he moved toward the door.

She gazed after him, and suddenly and silently she stretched out her arms, her eyes and face and lips yearning with love.  Curiously enough, the duke happened to turn.  He was at her side in a moment, holding her firm in his embrace.

“You are all I have, girl!” with a bit of break in his voice.

“My father!” She stroked his cheek.

When he left the room it was with lighter step.