As you know,
there is nothing so dear to our hearts as the proposed union of
Dawsbergen's Crown Princess and--"
"That's utterly out of the question, Count," said the Prince, setting
his jaws.
The count sighed patiently. "So you say, my boy, so you say. But you
are not reasonable. How can you know that the Crown Princess of
Dawsbergen is not the very mate your soul has been craving--"
"That's not the point. I am opposed to this miserable custom of
giving in marriage without the consent of the people most vitally
concerned, and I shall never recede from my position."
"You are very young, my dear Prince."
"And I intend to remain young, my dear Count. Loveless marriages make
old men and women of youths and maidens. I remember thinking that
remark out for myself after a great deal of effort, and you may
remember that I sprung it with considerable effect on the cabinet
when the matter was formally discussed a year or two ago. You heard
about it, didn't you, Dank?"
"I did, highness."
"And every newspaper in the world printed it as coming from me,
didn't they? Well, there you are.
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