Had I realized what a very plainly written pedigree I carried about with me, I should have thought long before I visited Ruritania.

However, I was in for it now.
At this moment a ringing voice sounded from the wood behind us: "Fritz, Fritz! where are you, man ?" Tarlenheim started, and said hastily: "It's the King!" Old Sapt chuckled again.
Then a young man jumped out from behind the trunk of a tree and stood beside us.

As I looked at him, I uttered an astonished cry; and he, seeing me, drew back in sudden wonder.

Saving the hair on my face and a manner of conscious dignity which his position gave him, saving also that he lacked perhaps half an inch--nay, less than that, but still something--of my height, the King of Ruritania might have been Rudolf Rassendyll, and I, Rudolf, the King.
For an instant we stood motionless, looking at one another.

Then I bared my head again and bowed respectfully.