"We was married by the Royal Justice of the Peace and--we got two children." Here _was_ a blow! The duke was crushed, until a happy thought came to him.

If cruel fate prevented him from claiming the Princess Pensacola for a bride he would take her for a mother.

He had always wanted a mother, anyhow; lack of maternal care it was that accounted for his wildness--it was enough to ruin any duke--and mothers were much nicer than wives.

They were much harder to get, also.
"Lord! I wish you meant it!" Ma exclaimed, in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I wish Allie was a real princess.