"I am not afraid of anything--not even the Count here." Then he laughed.

"If her Serene Highness was anything to me, your Highness, I should not be afraid to say so before the King himself." "You impudent--" But a wave of the Prince's hand silenced the Count.
"Have patience, my friend.

This is not impudence; it is courage and prudence.

I believe," re-addressing Hillars, "that once you were on the point of eloping with the Princess Hildegarde." Hillars thrust his hands into his pockets.
"So they say." "And yet you deny your regard for her!" "Oh, as to that affair," said Hillars, easily, "it was the adventure more than anything else.

It is not every man in my position who has such a chance.