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 The prince bowed, and with imperceptible irony said:

“Royal Highness of the Jewel, your words breathe the splendour of yourself, and I will weigh them in my mind. Your beauty is dazzling, and to reign with you over the united kingdoms of the Past and the Present, appears to me indeed a divine happiness. . . .”

“For other kingdoms exist not,” added Astra, and the wise men repeated her words.

“Yes,” murmured the king. “There is another kingdom. . . .”

“What kingdom?” asked all.

“The kingdom of the Future,” said the king, in a low tone.

Emeralda laughed scornfully. Astra looked compassionately. The wise men glanced at each other; the courtiers shook their heads.

“The king is getting old,” they whispered. “The mind of His Majesty often wanders,” muttered the ministers.

“Our monarch has always had much imagination,” said the wise men. “He is a poet. . . .”

But then spoke the prince.

“And you, wise Astra, Royal Highness of