Page:Roy Norton--The unknown Mr Kent.djvu/190

 fixed on the door and that Von Glutz also stared in that direction with a look of relief. She also turned and saw that the American had entered the room and was now coming gravely toward her.

"I overheard Your Royal Highness," he said, "and I thank you for your defence. I had not hoped for so much and I am grateful—very, very grateful—for a friendship that I esteem as of great worth."

She was visibly embarrassed, and took refuge in a diversion.

"What has happened in the Market Place?" both she and the king asked in chorus.

"It's a terrible situation," wheezed Von Glutz.

Kent's eyes flickered as if he now understood the cause of the assemblage in his reception room.

"In some ways," he said; "but I don't see how I could have acted differently."

"Why didn't you" began the princess impatiently, and then hesitated and looked at the king.

"Will the princess please finish?" the American asked. "I wish you would extend your friendship to the point of advice. What would you have done?"

"First of all, I should quell the riot. It comes from misunderstanding. There are no kindlier nor more amenable people, Mr. Kent, than ours. They should not have been fired upon at all." [186]