“Moreover,” said the King, “she desires you to remain the sovereign Princess of Hohenphalia.”

“Nay, Your Majesty,” said Gretchen, “it is I who will relinquish my claims.  Your Majesty is aware that I have many caprices.”

“Indeed, yes,” said the King.  “And I can assure you that they have caused me no small anxiety.  But let us come to an understanding, once and for all.  Do you wish to abdicate in favor of your sister?”

Gretchen gave me the briefest notice.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Phyllis was regarding me steadfastly.

“This is final?” said the King.

“It is.”

“And what is your will?” to Phyllis.  “Yes, the likeness is truly remarkable,” communing aloud to his thought.

I could not suppress the appeal in my eyes.

“Your Majesty,” said Phyllis, “if my sister will teach me how to become a Princess, I promise to accept the responsibility.”

“You will not need much teaching,” replied the King, admiringly.

“You will do this?—­you, my sister?” asked Gretchen eagerly.

“Yes.”  There was no color now in Phyllis’s cheeks; they were as white as the marble faun on the mantel.

“Remember, Your Highness,” said the King, speaking to Gretchen, “there shall be no recall.”

“Sire,” said the Prince, rising, “I request a favor.”

“And it shall be granted,” said the King, “this being your wedding day.”

It was Gretchen who now paled; the hands of the innkeeper closed; I clutched the chair, for my legs trembled.  To lose, after all!

“Ah,” said the Prince, “I thank Your Majesty.  The favor I ask is that you will postpone this marriage—­indefinitely.”

“What!” cried the King.  He was amazed.  “Have I heard you aright, or do my ears play me false?”

“It is true.  I thank Your Majesty again,” said the Prince, bowing.

“But this is beyond belief,” cried the King in anger.  “I do not understand.  This marriage was at your own request, and now you withdraw.  Since when,” proudly, “was the hand of the Princess Hildegarde to be ignored?”

“It is a delicate matter,” said the Prince, turning the ring on his finger.  “It would be impolite to state my reasons before Her Highness.  Your Highness, are you not of my opinion, that, as matters now stand, a marriage between us would be rather absurd?”

“Now, as at all times,” retorted Gretchen, scornfully.  “It has never been my will,” a furtive glance at the King.

“But—­” began the King.  He was wrathful.

“Your Majesty,” said the innkeeper, “you are a great King; be a generous one.”

All looked at him as though they expected to see the King fly at him and demolish him—­all but I. The King walked up to the bold speaker, took his measure, then, with his hands clasped behind his back, resumed his pacing.  After a while he came to a standstill.