I were alone with someone else, couldn't you be announced?"

"You know as well as I do. I could be, because I am of the Blood;" and
she still looked puzzled.

"I never could remember all these silly rules," said I, rather feebly,
as I inwardly cursed Fritz for not posting me up. "But I'll repair my
fault."

I jumped up, flung open the door, and advanced into the ante-room.
Michael was sitting at a table, a heavy frown on his face. Everyone
else was standing, save that impudent young dog Fritz, who was lounging
easily in an armchair, and flirting with the Countess Helga. He leapt up
as I entered, with a deferential alacrity that lent point to his former
nonchalance. I had no difficulty in understanding that the duke might
not like young Fritz.

I held out my hand, Michael took it, and I embraced him. Then I drew him
with me into the inner room.

"Brother," I said, "if I had known you were here, you should not have
waited a moment before I asked the princess to permit me to bring you to
her."

He thanked me, but coldly. The man had many qualities, but he could not
hide his feelings. A mere stranger could have seen that he hated me, and
hated worse to see me with Princess Flavia; yet I am persuaded that he
tried to conceal both feelings, and, further, that he tried to persuade
me that he believed I was verily the King. I did not know, of course;
but, unless the King were an impostor, at once cleverer and more