One of his uncles was a congressman and another was in some way connected with railroads.

He first sought the influence of the latter and then the recommendation of the former.

In less than six weeks after his arrival in Washington he was off for the city of Thorberg in the Grand Duchy of Rapp-Thorberg, carrying with him an appointment as consul and supplied with the proper stamps and seal of office.

His uncle compassionately informed him beforehand that his service in Thorberg would be brief and certainly would lead up to something much better.
At the end of five months he was devoutly, even pathetically, hoping that his uncle was no false prophet.

He loathed Thorberg; he hated the inhabitants; he smarted under the sting of royal disdain; he had no real friends, no boon companions and he was obliged to be good! What wonder, then, that the bored, suffering, vivacious Mr.Chase seized the first opportunity to leap headforemost into the very thick of a most appalling indiscretion! When he first arrived in Thorberg to assume his sluggish duties he was not aware of the fact that the Grand Duke had an unmarried daughter, the Princess Genevra.