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"Will your Highness explain this extraordinary intrusion?" she

demanded "You have literally forced your way intoIt is utterly outside h to be your father"

"That is the weakest excuse you could give ht to be cooled to a certain discretion My father, if he had had

anything important to say, would have remained on the other side of the

door I am not deaf Your explanation is in order"

The duke had never been talked to so plainly in all his life For a

while he ithout voice, but had plenty of color "It is easily

explained," he finally bawled out to her "Her Highness has eloped!"

The girl stared at him ide eyes "Eloped?" she breathed faintly

"Yes, eloped"

Betty wondered if she heard aright, or if the duke were out of his

mind; and then she recollected her conversation with the princess Her

mouth opened as if to speak, but instead she closed her lips tightly

That wilful girl; whatever would become of her!

"Give this letter to your mistress," said the duke to the maid "I

will station myself in the hile she reads it"

He strode over to theand drew the curtains about hi about the streets; the band was playing