The old lady was more interested in Duke Michael of Strel-sau than in the new King. The Castle of Zenda and all the landaround it belonged to the Duke,but the old lady said, It s notenough. Duke Michael should be king. He spends all his timewith us. Every Ruritanian knows him, but we never see thenew King. But the daughter cried, Oh no, I hate Black Michael. I wanta red Elphberg - and the King,our friend Johann says, is veryred. Johann works for the Duke and hes seen the King. Infact,the Kings staying just outside Zenda now, she added.Hes resting at the Dukes house in the forest before going onto Strelsau on Wednesday for his coronation. The Duke s al-ready in Strelsau,getting everything ready. They re friends? I asked. Friends who want the same place and the same wife, thepretty girl replied. The Duke wants to marry his cousin,Princess Flavia, but people say she s going to be King Rudolf swife and the Queen. Just then their friend ,Johann, entered the room. We have a visitor,Johann, the girls mother said, and Jo-hann turned towards me. But when he saw me, he steppedback, with a look of wonder on his face. Whats the matter,Johann?the daughter asked. Good evening,sir, Johann said, still staring at me. He didnot seem to like what he saw.
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