Blithers? He is on my conscience and I
tremble."
It must not be supposed for an instant that the City of Edelweiss and
the court of Graustark was unimpressed by the swift approach and
abrupt arrival of Mr. Blithers. His coming had been heralded for days
in advance. The city was rudely expectant, the court uneasy. The man
who had announced his determination to manage the public and private
affairs of the principality was coming to town. He was coming in
state, there could be no doubt about that. More than that, he was
coming to propitiate the people whether they chose to be mollified or
not. He was bringing with him a vast store of business acumen, an
unexampled confidence and the self-assurance of one who has never
encountered failure. Shylock's mantle rested on his hated shoulders,
and Judas Iscariot was spoken of with less abhorrence than William W.
Blithers by the Christian country of Graustark. He was coming to get
better acquainted with his daughter's future subjects.
Earlier in the week certain polite and competent gentlemen from
Berlin had appeared at the Castle gates, carrying authority from the
dauntless millionaire.
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