It was an admirable solution of the whole vexing question. Yet, unlike
old Henry, Frederick was the father before he was the King; and, beyond
telling the Princess frankly the policy which moved him in the matter,
he did nothing to coerce her. But the Ministers had no scruples of
affection nor of kinship to control them and they brought all sorts of
persuasive pressure upon her to obtain her consent to the match. All
this was known to the Kingdom, and the vast majority of the people were
with the Princess. The Army was with her to a man.

The first proposal Dehra had declined promptly to the Prince in person.
He had made it lover-like, and not through the diplomatic channels.
After that the Titian Foreign Office took a hand, and the poor girl's
troubles began.

For six months the matter pended,--and still Dehra held firm. Then
Titia mobilized its army and demanded a decision within two
days:--either the Princess or Murdol. It got a "No" in two hours. The
declaration of war followed straight-way.

Most of these facts were already known to me. Those of latest
happening came to Courtney from the State Department on the eve of our
sailing.

"It looks like a one-battle war," he had observed.

"Add a letter to your sentence and you will be nearer right," I
answered.

He laughed. "A none-battle war, you mean."