And the name that has meant nothing to me
except dominion and power,--it can serve no purpose for me to take it
now. I learned much from the poor Archduke; he taught me to hate the sham
and shame of the life he had fled from. My father was the last great
defender of the divine right of kings; but I believe in the divine right
of men. And the dome of the Capitol in Washington does not mean to me
force or hatred or power, but faith and hope and man's right to live and
do and be whatever he can make himself. I will not go back or take the
old name unless,--unless you tell me I must, Shirley!"
There was an instant in which they both faced the westering sun. He
looked down suddenly and the deep feeling in his heart went to his lips.
"It was that way,--you were just like that when I saw you first, Shirley,
with the dreams in your eyes."
He caught her hand and kissed it,--bending very low indeed. Suddenly, as
he stood erect, her arms were about his neck and her cheek with its
warmth and color lay against his face.
"I do not know,"--and he scarcely heard the whispered words,--"I do not
know Frederick Augustus von Stroebel,--but I love--John Armitage," she
said.
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