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wished in a companion for a day's pleasure。 He took the lead at the
station； and got them a compartment in the car to themselves for the
little run to Leyden； and on the way he talked very well。 He politely
borrowed Boyne's Baedeker； and decided for the party what they had best
see； and showed an acceptable intelligence； as well as a large experience
in the claims of Leyden upon the visitor's interest。 He had been there
often before； it seemed； and in the event it appeared that he had chosen
the days sightseeing wisely。
He no longer addressed himself respectfully to Ellen alone； but he re…
established himself in Boyne's confidence with especial pains； and he
conciliated Breckon by a recognition of his priority with Ellen with a
delicacy refined enough for even the susceptibility of a lover alarmed
for his rights。 If he could not overcome the reluctance of the judge；
he brought him to the civil response which any one who tried for Kenton's
liking achieved； even if he did not merit it； and there remained no more
reserve in Kenton's manner than there had been with the young man from
the first。 He had never been a persona grata to the judge； and if he did
not become so now； he at least ceased to be actively displeasing。
That was the year before the young Queen came to her own； and in the last
days of her minority she was visiting all the cities of her future
dominion with the queen…mother。 When Kenton's party left the station
they found Leyden as gay for her reception as flags and banners could
make the gray old town； and Trannel relapsed for a moment so far as to
suggest that the decorations were in honor of Boyne's presence； but he
did not abuse the laugh that this made to Boyne's further shame。
There was no carriage at the station which would hold the party of five；
and they had to take two vehicles。 Trannel said it was lucky they wanted
two； since there were no more； and he put himself in authority to assort
the party。 The judge； he decided； must go with Ellen and Breckon； and he
hoped Boyne would let him go in his carriage； if he would sit on the box
with the driver。 The judge afterwards owned that he had weakly indulged
his dislike of the fellow； in letting him take Boyne； and not insisting
on going himself with Tramiel； but this was when it was long too late。
Ellen had her misgivings； but； except for that gibe about the
decorations； Trannel had been behaving so well that she hoped she might
trust Boyne with him。 She made a kind of appeal for her brother； bidding
him and Trannel take good care of each other； and Trannel promised so
earnestly to look after Boyne that she ought to have been alarmed for
him。 He took the lead； rising at times to wave a reassuring hand to her
over the back of his carriage； and； in fact； nothing evil could very well
happen from him； with the others following so close upon him。 They met
from time to time in the churches they visited； and when they lost sight
of one another； through a difference of opinion in the drivers as to the
best route； they came together at the place Trannel had appointed for
their next reunion。
He showed himself a guide so admirably qualified that he found a way for
them to objects of interest that had at first denied themselves in
anticipation of the visit from the queens； when they all sat down at
lunch in the restaurant which he found for them； he could justifiably
boast that he would get them into the Town Hall； which they had been told
was barred for the day against anything but sovereign curiosity。 He was
now on the best term with Boyne； who seemed to have lost all diffidence
of him； and treated him with an easy familiarity that showed itself in
his slapping him on the shoulder and making dints in his hat。 Trannel
seemed to enjoy these caresses； and； when they parted again for the
afternoon's sight…seeing； Ellen had no longer a qualm in letting Boyne
drive off with him。
He had； in fact； known how to make himself very acceptable to Boyne。 He
knew all the originals of his heroical romances； and was able to give the
real names and the geographical position of those princesses who had been
in love with American adventurers。 Under promise of secrecy he disclosed
the real names of the adventurers themselves； now obscured in the titles
given them to render them worthy their union with sovereigns。 He resumed
his fascinating confidences when they drove off after luncheon； and he
resumed them after each separation from the rest of the party。 Boyne
listened with a flushed face and starting eyes； and when at last Trannel
offered； upon a pledge of the most sacred nature from him never to reveal
a word of what he said； he began to relate an adventure of which he was
himself the hero。 It was a bold travesty of one of the latest romances
that Boyne had read； involving the experience of an American very little
older than Boyne himself； to whom a wilful young crown…princess； in a
little state which Trannel would not name even to Boyne； had made
advances such as he could not refuse to meet without cruelty。 He was
himself deeply in love with her； but he felt bound in honor not to
encourage her infatuation as long as he could help； for he had been
received by her whole family with such kindness and confidence that he
had to consider them。
〃Oh； pshaw！〃 Boyne broke in upon him； doubting； and yet wishing not to
doubt； 〃that's the same as the story of 'Hector Folleyne'。〃
〃Yes；〃 said Trannel； quietly。 〃I thought you would recognize it。〃
〃Well； but；〃 Boyne went on； 〃Hector married the princess！〃
〃In the book； yes。 The fellow I gave the story to said it would never do
not to have him marry her； and it would help to disguise the fact。
That's what he said； after he had given the whole thing away。〃
〃And do you mean to say it was you？ Oh； you can't stuff me！ How did you
get out of marrying her； I should like to know； when the chancellor came
to you and said that the whole family wanted you to； for fear it would
kill her if〃
〃Well； there was a scene； I can't deny that。 We had a regular family
conclavefather； mother； Aunt Hitty； and all the folksand we kept it
up pretty much all night。 The princess wasn't there； of course； and I
could convince them that I was right。 If she had been； I don't believe I
could have held out。 But they had to listen to reason； and I got away
between two days。〃
〃But why didn't you marry her？〃
〃Well； for one thing； as I told you； I thought 1 ought to consider her
family。 Then there was a good fellow； the crown…prince of Saxe…
Wolfenhutten； who was dead in love with her； and was engaged to her
before I turned up。 I had been at school with him； and I felt awfully
sorry for him； and I thought I ought to sacrifice myself a little to him。
But I suppose the thing that influenced me most was finding out that if I
married the princess I should have to give up my American citizenship and
become her subject。〃
〃Well？〃 Boyne panted。
〃Well； would you have done it？〃
〃Couldn't you have got along without doing that？〃
〃That was the only thing I couldn't get around； somehow。 So I left。〃
〃And the princess； did shedie？〃
〃