Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v109.djvu/588



I admitted that this was indeed expecting a good deal from a young man.

"There is also another reason," he continued, carelessly: "I have come to exercise my privileges as Hereditary Cleaner to the Regalian Court."

"May I ask what are the duties—and the privileges of this office?" I inquired, with a smile.

He laughed in the agreeably modest way I have frequently noted in young men who affect to underrate what they value highly.

"The office of Hereditary Cleaner—or, in full, Window-Cleaner—to the Kings of Regalia was instituted about the time when windows were first invented," he replied, "and it has always been in my family. In those barbarous times we used, I believe, to actually superintend the work, but nowadays the duties consist in cleaning one pane of glass with a silk handkerchief, or in default presenting his Majesty with an embroidered duster. The privileges include the right to ask any woman in Regalia to dance without waiting for an introduction, and to shoot bears in the royal preserves. I have brought my duster with me, and I mean to take full advantage of my privileges, I assure you."

"Did you claim them under the late King?" I asked.

"Lord! no. Old Fido's court was too devilish dull, my dear fellow. I should have let the Hereditary Cleanership go to the deuce so long as he reigned. Tell me what sort of a man our new little Fido is. I hear you are a first favorite already. Good sportsman, is he?"

"Scarcely in the English sense," I answered, with that caution and respect I always considered it right to display even behind his Majesty's back. "He is perhaps a little unsophisticated, but full of kingly qualities, I assure you."

"If he bores me with them, I shall leave him," said the Count, with a smile. "If he is amusing, I shall stay."

I was not present on the following morning when Count Zonnbiem presented himself before his Majesty, but I have obtained from eye-witnesses the fullest particulars. It appears that the young Count arrived at court faultlessly attired in the most perfectly fitting knee-breeches and gold-laced coat, and carrying in a jewelled box the embroidered duster which he intended to present to King Fido in lieu of service. When his name was announced, his Majesty showed the liveliest interest and pleasure, and before receiving him insisted on obtaining the fullest particulars of the historic office he had come to claim.

"I am overjoyed to see you, my dear Count," he exclaimed when they met, at the same time smiling in the most gra-