"Twice have I fought under you, sire," he urged. "Twice, and only twice since the old king died, have I felt that the future of Lutha was safe in the hands of her ruler, and both these times it was you who sat upon the throne. Do not desert us now. Let me live to see Lutha once more happy, with a true Rubinroth upon the throne and my daughter at his side."
Butzow added his pleas to those of the old chancellor. The American hesitated.
"Let us leave it to the representatives of the people and to the house of nobles," he suggested.
The chancellor of Lutha explained the situation to both houses. Their reply was unanimous. He carried it to the American, who awaited the decision of Lutha in the royal apartments of the palace. With him was the Princess Emma von der Tann.
"The people of Lutha will have no other king, sire," said the old man.
Barney turned toward the girl.
"There is no other way, my lord king," she said with grave dignity. "With her blood your mother bequeathed you a duty which you may not shirk. It is not for you or for me to choose. God chose for you when you were born."
Barney Custer took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.
"Let the King of Lutha," he said, "be the first to salute Lutha's queen."