In the Grotto

The next morning a royal messenger came to Count Marlanx. He bore two
sealed letters from the princess. One briefly informed him that General
Braze was his successor as commander-in-chief of the army of Graustark.
He hesitated long before opening the other. It was equally brief and to
the point. The Iron Count's teeth came together with a savage snap as he
read the signature of the princess at the end. There was no
recourse. She had struck for Beverly Calhoun. He looked at his watch.

It was eleven o'clock. The edict gave him twenty-four hours from the noon
of that day. The gray old libertine despatched a messenger for his man
of affairs, a lawyer of high standing in Edelweiss. Together they
consulted until midnight. Shortly after daybreak the morning
following. Count Marlanx was in the train for Vienna, never to set foot
on Graustark's soil again. He was banished and his estates confiscated
by the government.

The ministry in Edelweiss was not slow to reopen negotiations with
Dawsbergen. A proclamation was sent to the prime minister, setting forth
the new order of affairs and suggesting the instant suspension of
hostile preparations and the restoration of Prince Dantan. Accompanying
this proclamation went a dignified message from Dantan, informing his
people that he awaited their commands. He was ready to resume the throne
that had been so desecrated. It would be his joy to restore Dawsbergen
to its once peaceful and prosperous condition. In the meantime the Duke
of Mizrox despatched the news to the Princess Volga of Axphain, who was
forced to abandon--temporarily, at least--her desperate designs upon
Graustark. The capture of Gabriel put an end to her transparent plans.