odd; it's quite as difficult for me to understand as for you.
I have been through it a great many times, and I thought I
knew all there was of it. But now it seems different. No, it
does not seem different," he corrected himself; "it is
different, and I love the lady and I mean to ask her to do me
the honor to marry me. I didn't expect you to understand, I
don't care if you do. I only wanted to warn you."

"Warn me?" interrupted the King, with an unpleasant smile.
"Indeed! against what? Your tone is a trifle peremptory--but
you are interesting, most interesting! Kalonay in a new role,
Kalonay in love! Most interesting! Warn me against what?" he
repeated sharply.

"Your Majesty has a certain manner," the Prince began, with a
pretence of hesitation, "a charm of manner, I might say, which
is proverbial. It is, we know, attractive to women. Every
woman acknowledges it. But your Majesty is sometimes too
gracious. He permits himself to condescend to many women, to
any woman, to women of all classes----"

"That will do," said the King; "what do you mean?"

"What I mean is this," said Kalonay, lowering his voice and
looking into the King's half-closed eyes. "You can have all
of Miss Carson's money you want--all you can get. I don't
want it. If I am to--marry her at all, I am not marrying her
for her money. You can't believe that. It isn't essential
that you should. But I want you to leave the woman I hope to
make my wife alone. I will allow no pretty speeches, nor