“I confess you have read my mind correctly.”

“Then listen.  I am a Prince without a principality; a Prince by courtesy, my brother ruling the principality of Wortumborg.  Thus being without a principality, I am necessarily without revenues.  I must replenish my very low exchequer by a marriage, a marriage not so distasteful as it might be.”  He met my darkening eyes with serenity.  “Since Thursday night I have not been so certain of my wife’s dowry.  If there are two Princesses, twins, they must govern jointly, or one may abdicate in favor of the other.  Her Serene Highness the Princess Hildegarde is the one who will be most likely to relinquish her claims to Hohenphalia.  If your friend is proved to be her sister—­” He stroked the orchid reflectively.

“Well?” I cried, my pulse quickening.

“I shall withdraw my claim to the hand of the Princess Hildegarde.  I do not care to rule half a principality or share half its revenues.  There are better things left than that.  It is my hope, however, that no proofs can be found, and that your banker-diplomatist will show conclusively that his niece was born in America.  Until this question is definitely settled, my fortunes shall not undergo any risks.  This is what I wanted to say to you, why I wanted to know who your friend was.  Will you help me to get at the bottom of things?  We are both concerned; the result will mean all or nothing to you and me.  Ah, believe me, but you are a favored mortal.  The friendship of the one, and the love of the other!  No; do not look angry.  With all my sins, it cannot be said that I lack frankness and truthfulness.  You love the Princess Hildegarde; I offer you an equal chance to win her.  Is not that remarkable good nature?  Till the affair is settled my marriage is postponed.  Now, to our personal affair.  You cannot blame me if I give you all my honest hatred.  I am at your service, after, of course, the respective positions of the Princesses are assured.  I should take more pleasure in shooting you, or running a sword through your body, than I took in the affair with your friend.  His courage was truly admirable.  I had nothing against him.  But you have grievously wounded my self-love; we forgive all wrongs but that.  I warn you that the affair will not be conducted after the French mode.  You have perhaps a fortnight in which to improve your markmanship.  The matter which shall carry us abroad will conclude within that time.  I shoot and fence with my left hand as well as I did with my right.”

“I shall be only too happy to meet you,” I replied.  “I prefer the pistol, there is less exertion, and it is quicker.”

“You shall have every advantage,” said the Prince.  “You will have that to nerve your arm which I shall not have—­a woman’s love.”  With a bow which was not without a certain dignity and grace, he walked from the room.