He strode about impatiently slapping his boots with the riding stick.

"It is impossible." "Why do you say impossible, Sire ?" "I can not permit you to put in jeopardy a quarter of a million pounds," forgetting for the moment that he was powerless.
"Aha!" the diplomat cried briskly.

"There is, then, beneath your weariness and philosophy, a fear ?" "A fear ?" With an effort the king smoothed the line from his forehead.
"Why should there be fear ?" "Why indeed, when our cousin Josef--" He stopped and looked toward the mountains.
"Well ?" abruptly.
"I was thinking what a fine coup de maitre it would be for his Highness to gather in all these pretty slips of parchment given under the hand of Leopold." "Small matter if he should.

I should pay him." The king sat down.

"And it is news to me that Josef can get together five millions." "He has friends, rich and powerful friends." "No matter, I should pay him." "Are you quite sure ?" "What do you mean ?" "The face of the world changes in the course of ten years.