"Your Majesty has summoned me?" said Gretchen.
"Yes. Explain," said the King to the Chancellor.
"Your Highness," began the Chancellor, "it has been proved by these
papers here and by that man there," pointing to the innkeeper, "that
your mother of lamented memory gave birth to twins. One is yourself;
the other was spirited away at the request of your mother. We shall
pass over her reasons. It was all due to the efforts of this clever
journalist here--" Gretchen was compelled to look at me now, while the
King frowned and the Prince smiled--"that your sister has been found."
Gretchen gave a cry and started to go to Phyllis with outstretched
arms; but as Phyllis stood motionless she stopped, and her arms fell.
"Your Highness," said the King to Phyllis, "it is your sister, the
Princess Hildegarde. Embrace her, I beg you."
The King willed it. But it occurred to me that there was a warmth
lacking in the embrace. Gretchen lightly brushed with her lips the
cheek of her sister, and the kiss was as lightly returned. There was
something about it all we men failed to understand.
"Moreover," said the King, "she desires you to remain the sovereign
Princess of Hohenphalia."
"Nay, Your Majesty," said Gretchen, "it is I who will relinquish my
claims. Your Majesty is aware that I have many caprices."
"Indeed, yes," said the King. "And I can assure you that they have
caused me no small anxiety. But let us come to an understanding, once
and for all. Do you wish to abdicate in favor of your sister?"
Gretchen gave me the briefest notice.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Phyllis was regarding me steadfastly.
"This is final?" said the King.
"It is."
"And what is your will?" to Phyllis. "Yes, the likeness is truly
remarkable," communing aloud to his thought.
I could not suppress the appeal in my eyes.
"Your Majesty," said Phyllis, "if my sister will teach me how to become
a Princess, I promise to accept the responsibility."
"You will not need much teaching," replied the King, admiringly.
"You will do this?--you, my sister?" asked Gretchen eagerly.
"Yes." There was no color now in Phyllis's cheeks; they were as white
as the marble faun on the mantel.
"Remember, Your Highness," said the King, speaking to Gretchen, "there
shall be no recall."