If only it might be an enchantment! he thought.  If only he might find her as the grim old chancellor had found her, in a garret!  What?

“Why did you do that?” she asked quickly.

“I do not understand.”

“You shrugged.”

“I beg your highness’ pardon!” flushing.  “I was not conscious of such rudeness.”

“That is not answering my question.”

“I beg of your highness—­”

“My highness commands!” But her voice was gentle.

“It was a momentary dream I had; and the thought of its utter impossibility caused me to shrug.  I assure your highness that it was a philosophical shrug, such as the Stoics were wont to indulge in.”  He spoke lightly.  Only his eyes were serious.

“And this dream; was there not a woman in it?”

“Oh, no; there was only an angel.”

She knew that it was not proper to question him in this manner; but neither her heart nor her mind were formal to-night.

“You interest me; you always interest me.  You have seen so many wonderful things.  And now it is angels.”

“Only one, your Highness.”  This was daring.  “But perhaps I am putting my foot where angels fear to tread,” which was still more daring.

“Angels ought not to be afraid of anything.”  She laughed; there was a pain and a joy in the sound of it.  She read his heart as one might read a written line.

“Dreams are always unfinished things,” he said, getting back on safer ground.

“What is she like, this angel?” forcing him upon dangerous ground again wilfully.

“Who may describe an angel one has seen only in a golden dream?”

“You will not tell me?”

“I dare not!” His eyes sought hers unflinchingly.  This moment he was mad, and had not the chancellor and Baron von Steinbock came up, Heaven only knew what further madness would have unbridled his tongue.

“Your Highness,” began the benign voice of the chancellor, “the baron desires, in the name of his august master, to open the ball with you.  Behold my fairy-wand,” gaily.  “This night I have made you a queen.”

“Can you make me happy also?” said she, so low that only the chancellor heard her.

“I shall try.  Ah, Herr Captain,” with a friendly jerk of his head toward Carmichael; “will you do me the honor to join me in my cabinet, quarter of an hour hence?”

“I shall be there, your Excellency.”  Carmichael was uneasy.  He was not certain how much the chancellor had heard.

“A little diplomatic business in which I shall need your assistance,” supplemented the chancellor.

Carmichael, instead of loitering uselessly in the ball-room, at once sought the chancellor’s cabinet.  He wanted to be alone.  He made known his business to the chancellor’s valet who admitted him.  He stopped just across the threshold.  To his surprise the room was already tenanted.  Grumbach and a police officer!