And I did rejoin him here, although, to tell the truth, I had begun to fear that I might never see my master again.' 'The Prince has been very ill in Ostend, Hans.' 'So I have gathered,' Hans responded drily, slowly rubbing his hands together.

'And his Highness is not yet perfectly recovered.' 'Not yet.

We despaired of his life, Hans, at one time, but thanks to an excellent constitution, he came safely through the ordeal.' 'We must take care of him, your Highness.' 'Yes, indeed,' said Aribert solemnly, 'his life is very precious to Posen.' At that moment, Eugen, Hereditary Prince of Posen, entered the audience chamber.

He was pale and languid, and his uniform seemed to be a trouble to him.

His hair had been slightly ruffled, and there was a look of uneasiness, almost of alarmed unrest, in his fine dark eyes.