"I assumed without question," he rejoined, "that a man of Prince Cagliari's chivalrous nature would merely reply to this letter: 'It is a matter of indifference to me how the princess orders her life; but so long as she bears my name she must not be forced to go on foot and soil her shoes.'" "Bravo!" cried the prince.

"And you would have me give her a dower for her second marriage, would you, and a quarter's allowance into the bargain ?" "Let us not discuss that at present," returned the other, "it would only spoil our evening.

Time enough for serious matters to-morrow." "But I wish to discuss it now." "Very well.

The truth of the matter is, the beautiful Princess Blanka is at this moment lying dead in the mountains of Transylvania." The prince recoiled.

"Young man, I forbid you to indulge in such ill-chosen jests." Benjamin rose and made a low bow.