Hence this youthfulness on the part of an uncle.' 'How delicious to be the uncle of someone as old as yourself! But I suppose it is no fun for Prince Aribert.

I suppose he has to be frightfully respectful and obedient, and all that, to his nephew ?' 'The Grand Duke and my Serene master are like brothers.

At present, of course, Prince Aribert is nominally heir to the throne, but as no doubt you are aware, the Grand Duke will shortly marry a near relative of the Emperor's, and should there be a family--' Mr Dimmock stopped and shrugged his straight shoulders.

'The Grand Duke,' he went on, without finishing the last sentence, 'would much prefer Prince Aribert to be his successor.

He really doesn't want to marry.