that a certain desire on my part would have found a way without
the assistance of the coin. You don't know how persistent an
American can be."

"Would you have persisted had you known I was a princess?" she
asked.

"Well, I can hardly tell about that, but you must remember I
didn't know who or what you were."

"Would you have come to Graustark had you known I was its
princess?"

"I'll admit I came because you were Miss Guggenslocker."

"A mere woman."

"I will not consent to the word 'mere.' What would you think of
a man who came half-way across the earth for the sake of a mere
woman?"

"I should say he had a great deal of curiosity," she responded,
coolly.

"And not much sense. There is but one woman a man would do so
much for, and she could not be a mere woman in his eyes."
Lorry's face was white and his eyes gleamed as he hurled this
bold conclusion at her.

"Especially when he learns that she is a princess!" said she, her