"My friend," he said, finally, sighing, "proceed. I am all
attention."

"I never doubted your Majesty's perspicacity. You do not know,
but you suspect, what I am about to disclose to you. My hope is
that, when I am done, your Majesty will throw Kant and the rest
of your philosophers out of the window. The people are sullen at
the mention of your name, while they cheer another. There is an
astonishing looseness about your revenues. The reds and the
socialists plot for revolution and a republic, which is a thin
disguise for a certain restoration. Your cousin the duke visits
you publicly twice each year. He has been in the city a week at
a time incognito, yet your minister of police seems to know
nothing." The speaker ceased, and fondled the dahlia in his
button-hole.

The king, noting the action, construed it as the subtle old
diplomat intended he should. "Yes, yes! I am a king only for her
sake. Go on. Tell me all."

"The archbishop and the chancellor are the only friends you
possess. The Marshal, from personal considerations merely,
remains neutral. Your army, excepting the cuirassiers, are
traitors to your house. The wisest thing you have done was to
surround yourself with this mercenary body, whom you call the
royal cuirassiers, only, instead of three hundred, you should
have two thousand. Self-interest will make them true to you. You
might find some means to pay them, for they would be a good
buffer between you and your enemies. The president of the Diet
and the members are passing bills which will eventually