“Yes, yes,” responded the other.  The servant understood the sign made by Anguish and disappeared.  “Diplomatic call, I suspect.”

“He is the prime minister, I understand.  Well, we’ll diplome with him until bed-time, if he cares to stay.  I’m getting rather accustomed to the nobility.  They are not so bad, after all.  Friendly and all that—­Ah, good evening, your excellency!  We are honored.”

The Count had entered the room and was advancing toward the couch, tall, easy and the personification of cordiality.

“I could not retire until I had satisfied myself as to Mr. Lorry’s condition and his comfort,” said he, in his broken English.  He seated himself near the couch and bent sharp, anxious eyes on the recumbent figure.

“Oh, he’s all right,” volunteered Anguish, readily.  “Be able to go into battle again tomorrow.”

“That is the way with you aggressive Americans.  I am told.  They never give up until they are dead,” said the Count, courteously.  “Your head is better?”

“It does not pain me as it did, and I’m sure I’ll be able to get out to-morrow.  Thank you very much for your interest,” said Lorry.  “May I inquire after the health of the Countess Halfont?  The excitement of last night has not had an unpleasant effect, I hope.”

“She is with the Princess, and both are quite well.  Since our war, gentlemen, Graustark women have nothing to acquire in the way of courage and endurance.  You, of course, know nothing of the horrors of that war.”

“But we would be thankful for the story of it, your excellency.  War is a hobby of mine.  I read every war scare that gets into print,” said Anguish, eagerly.

“We, of Graustark, at present have every reason to recall the last war and bitterly to lament its ending.  The war occurred just fifteen years ago—­but will the recital tire you, Mr. Lorry?  I came to spend a few moments socially and not to go into history.  At any other time I shall be—­”

“It will please and not tire me.  I am deeply interested.  Pray go on,” Lorry hastened to say, for he was interested more than the Count suspected.

“Fifteen years ago Prince Ganlook, of this principality,—­the father of our princess,—­became incensed over the depredations of the Axphain soldiers who patrolled our border on the north.  He demanded restitution for the devastation they had created, but was refused.  Graustark is a province comprising some eight hundred square miles of the best land in this part of the world.  Our neighbor is smaller in area and population.  Our army was better equipped but not so hardy.  For several months the fighting in the north was in our favor, but the result was that our forces were finally driven back to Edelweiss, hacked and battered by the fierce thousands that came over the border.  The nation was staggered by the shock, for such an outcome had not been considered possible.  We had been too confident.  Our