"
"Then, if the woman, the official and the records all convict me, how am
I to prove my innocence?" I demanded.
"By waiting for the enemy to make a blunder. They have already made one
which results delightfully for you."
"I reckon I'm a trifle thick-headed, Courtney," I said. "You'll have to
explain."
"Never mind the head, old man; it will be all right to-morrow. Their
blunder is in having unwittingly sprung their trap on the very evening
the Princess and you came to an understanding. Had they been even a few
hours earlier you would not have dared to speak of love to her--and so
you might not have had the King's daughter as a special advocate. On the
other hand, had they waited a day longer, your betrothal would,
doubtless, have received Frederick's approval, and have been formally
proclaimed. How embarrassing, then, to the Princess; how intensely
irritating to the King, and how particularly injurious to you in the eyes
of the nation--the people would think you won her under false colors;
and, though you proved your innocence a hundred times, the taint would
always linger."
"You're right, Courtney," I exclaimed; "right as Gospel."
"Now, see how lucky you are: You have the Princess--you are sure of her
and no one knows it.
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