“I am only at liberty to say, your excellency, that it concerns the welfare of Graustark,” answered the other, after a moment’s thought.  They walked on in silence for some distance.

“I am her uncle, sir, but I love her as I would love my own child.  My life has been given to her from the day that her mother, my sister, died.  You will grant me the right to ask you a plain question.  Have you told her that you love her?” The Count’s face was drawn and white.

“I have, sir.  I loved her before I knew she was a Princess.  As her protector, it was to you that I would have told the story of my unfortunate love long ago, but my arrest and escape prevented.  It was not my desire or intention to say to her what I could not speak about to you.  I do not want to be looked upon as a coward who dares not face difficulties.  My love has not been willingly clandestine, and it has been in spite of her most righteous objections.  We have both seen the futility of love, however strong and pure it may be.  I have hoped, your excellency, and always shall.”

“She has confessed her love to you privately?” asked Halfont.

“Against her will, against her judgment, sir.”

“Then the worst has come to pass,” groaned the old Count.  Neither spoke for some time.  They were near the foot of the staircase when Halfont paused and grasped Lorry’s arm.  Steadily they looked into each other’s eyes.

“I admire you more than any man I have ever known,” said the Count, huskily, “You are the soul of honor, of courage, of manliness.  But, my God, you cannot become the husband of a Princess of Graustark!  I need not tell you that, however.  You surely must understand.”

“I do understand,” said Lorry, dizzily.  “I am not a prince, as you are saying over and over again to yourself.  Count Halfont, every born American may become ruler of the greatest nation in the world-the United States.  His home is his kingdom; his wife, his mother, his sisters are his queens and his princesses; his fellow citizens are his admiring subjects if he is wise and good.  In my land you will find the poor man climbing to the highest pinnacle, side by side with the rich man.  The woman I love is a Princess.  Had she been the lowliest maid in all that great land of ours, still would she have been my queen, I her king.  When first I loved the mistress of Graustark she was, you must not forget, Miss Guggenslocker.  I have said all this to you, sir, not in egotism nor in bitterness, but to show my right to hope in the face of all obstacles.  We recognize little as impossible.  Until death destroys this power to love and to hope I must say to you that I shall not consider the Princess Yetive beyond my reach.  Frankly, I cannot, sir.”

The Count heard him through, unconscious admiration mingling with the sadness in his eyes.

“There are some obstacles that bravery and perseverance cannot overcome, my friend,” he said, slowly.  “One of them is fate.”