I have hunted all over the Continent, I have never seen the Princess
Hildegarde since that night at B----. Where shall I find her? I
haven't the least idea. But as a last throw, I am going to the
principality of Hohenphalia, where she was born and over which she
rules with infinite wisdom. The King is determined that she shall wed
Prince Ernst. He would take away her principality but for the fact
that there would be a wholesale disturbance to follow any such act. If
I ever meet that watch dog of hers, the Count von Walden, the duffer
who gave me my congé, there will be trouble. The world isn't large
enough for two such men as we are. By the way, I played roulette at
the Casino last night and won 3,000 francs. Well, au revoir or adieu
as the case may be. They sell the worst whiskey here you ever heard
of. It's terrible to have an educated palate.

"HILLARS."


So he was still desiring for something he could never have! I got out
of patience with the fellow. Even if she loved him, what chance had he
against the legions of the King? Hillars was a wild-headed fellow,
and, if at liberty, was not incapable of creating a disturbance. It
might land him in jail, or on the gallows. The phlegmatic German is
not particular whom he hangs. In that wide domain there is always some
petty revolution going on. In each of those petty kingdoms, or
principalities, or duchies, there are miniature Rousseaus and Voltaires
who shout liberty and equality in beer halls and rouse the otherwise
peaceful citizens to warfare; short, it is true, but none the less
warfare. Military despotism is the tocsin. When the King presses an
unwilling subject into the army, upon his discharge the unwilling
subject, usually a peasant, becomes a socialist. These Rousseaus and