Now he recalled the fact that her dark eyes had a look of sadness and dejection in their depths, and that her face was peculiarly white and unsmiling.
Spantz was eyeing him narrowly.

"You do not appear interested in our royal family," he ventured coldly.
Truxton hastened to assure him that he was keenly interested.

Especially so, now that I appreciate that the little Prince is the last of his race." "There are three regents, sir, in charge of the affairs of state--Count Halfont, the Duke of Perse and Baron Jasto Dangloss, who is minister of police.

Count Halfont is a granduncle of the Prince, by marriage.

The Duke of Perse is the father of the unhappy Countess Ingomede, the young and beautiful wife of the exiled "Iron Count" Marlanx.