"Is a man proof against a princess?' she asked, as she leaned
against the casement.

"It depends on the"--he paused "the princess, I should say."

"Alas! There is one more fresh responsibility acquired. It
seems to me that everything depends on the princess," she said,
merrily.

"Not entirely," he said, quickly. "A great deal--a very great
deal--depends on circumstances. For instance, when you were Miss
Guggenslocker it wouldn't have been necessary for the man to be a
prince, you know."

"But I was Miss Guggenslocker because a man was unnecessary," she
said, so gravely that he smiled. "I was without a title because
it was more womanly than to be a 'freak,' as I should have been
had every man, woman and child looked upon me as a princess. I
did not travel through your land for the purpose of exhibiting
myself, but to learn and unlearn."

"I remember it cost you a certain coin to learn one thing," he
observed.

"It was money well spent, as subsequent events have proved. I
shall never regret the spending of that half gavvo. Was it not
the means of bringing you to Edelweiss?"

"Well, it was largely responsible, but I am inclined to believe