"Of course not, silly. What an absurd question. I do not know him at all."
"That's all right, Aunt Loraine. I believe in love at first sight. He is a--"
"Bobby! Don't be foolish. How could I be in love with him?"
"Well, you can't help it sometimes. Even princes fall in love without knowing it."
"I suppose so," dreamily.
"It's mighty hard to make up your mind which one you love best, though. Dr. Barrett's daughter in New York is awful nice, but I think she's--"
"She is twenty years older than you, Bobby, if you mean to say you are in love with her."
"Well, but I'll grow up, auntie. Anyhow, Paula Vedrowski is not so old as I. She is--"
"For heaven's sake, Bobby, do go to sleep!"
"Don't you care to hear about my love affairs?"
"You are perfectly ridiculous!"
"All right for you, auntie. I shan't listen when you want to tell me about yours. Gee, Uncle Jack listens, you bet. I wish he was here this minute. Say, is he ever going to get married?" There was no answer. He peered over the top of the pillow. There were tears in his Aunt Loraine's eyes. "Oh, say, auntie, darling, don't cry! I'll--I'll go to sleep, honest!"
She was not in love with Truxton King, but she was a fine, tender-hearted girl, who suffered because of the thing that had happened to him and because she loved his sister.
Over in the Hotel Regengetz, on a little table in the centre of the room, lay a thick envelope with the royal arms emblazoned in the upper corner. It contained an invitation to the private circus that had been arranged for the little Prince, and it bore the name of Truxton King.
Across the foot of the bed hung his evening clothes, laid out by a faithful and well-tipped house valet, snug and ready for instant use.
But where was Truxton King?