me to-night, happen what will afterward. Come, man, you don't meet a new relation every day!"
"We dine sparingly to-night," said Fritz von Tarlenheim.
"Not we—with our new cousin for a guest!" cried the king; and as Fritz shrugged his shoulders, he added: "Oh! I'll remember our early start, Fritz."
"So will I—to-morrow morning," said old Sapt, pulling at his pipe.
"Oh, wise old Sapt!" cried the king. "Come, Mr. Rassendyll—by the way, what name did they give you?"
"Your Majesty's," I answered, bowing.
"Well, that shows they weren't ashamed of us," he laughed. "Come, then, cousin Rudolf. I've got no house of my own here, but my dear brother Michael lends us a place of his, and we'll make shift to entertain you there;" and he put his arm through mine, and signing to the others to accompany us, walked me off, westerly, through the forest.