that she did not beckon, lay down again. An interval of silence
followed her departure. The thought of the Englishman had
traveled to India, the thought of the king to Osia, where the
girl's mother slept. The former was first to rouse.

"Well, Sire, let us come to the business at hand, the subject of
my last informal audience. It is true, then, that the consols
for the loan of five millions of crowns are issued to-day, or
have been, since the morning is passed?"

"Yes, it is true. I am well pleased. Jacobi and Brother have
agreed to place them at face value. I intend to lay out a park
for the public at the foot of the lake. That will demolish two
millions and a half. The remainder is to be used in city
improvements and the reconstruction of the apartments in the
palace, which are too small. If only you knew what a pleasure
this affords me! I wish to make my good city of Bleiberg a thing
of beauty --parks, fountains, broad and well paved streets."

"The Diet was unanimous in regard to this loan?"

"In fact they suggested it, and I was much in favor."

"You have many friends there, then?"

"Friends?" The king's face grew puzzled, and its animation faded
away. "None that I know. This is positively the first time we
ever agreed about anything."

"And did not that strike you as rather singular?"