I repeat it is for your daughter.

And perhaps," with a dry smile, "it is because I have no love for Josef." "I will defeat him!" cried the king, a fire at last shining in his eyes.
"You will not." "I will appeal to the confederation and inform them of the plot." "The resource of a child! They would laugh at you for your pains.
For they are too proud of their prowess in statecraft to tolerate a suspicion that your cousin is a cleverer man than all of them put together.

There remains only one thing for you to do." "And what is that ?" wearily.
"Accept my friendship at its true value." The king made no reply.

He set his elbows on the arms of the rustic seat, interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them, while his booted legs slid out before him.

His meditation lengthened into several minutes.