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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Colonel of the Red Huzzars, by John Reed
+Scott, Illustrated by Clarence F. Underwood
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Colonel of the Red Huzzars
+
+
+Author: John Reed Scott
+
+
+
+Release Date: November 22, 2005  [eBook #17131]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Al Haines
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 17131-h.htm or 17131-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/1/3/17131/17131-h/17131-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/1/3/17131/17131-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+
+by
+
+JOHN REED SCOTT
+
+With Illustrations by Clarence F. Underwood
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: "You are a soldier--an American officer?"
+she said, suddenly.]
+
+
+
+Grosset & Dunlap
+Publishers, New York
+Copyright 1905 by John Reed Scott
+Copyright 1906 by J. B. Lippincott Co.
+Published June, 1906
+
+
+
+
+TO MY WIFE
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+     I.  A PICTURE AND A WAGER
+    II.  CONCERNING ANCESTORS
+   III.  IN DORNLITZ AGAIN
+    IV.  THE SALUTE OF A COUSIN
+     V.  THE SALUTE OR A FRIEND
+    VI.  THE SIXTH DANCE
+   VII.  AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
+  VIII.  THE LAWS OF THE DALBERGS
+    IX.  THE DECISION
+     X.  THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+    XI.  THE FATALITY OF MOONLIGHT
+   XII.  LEARNING MY TRADE
+  XIII.  IN THE ROYAL BOX
+   XIV.  THE WOMAN IN BLACK
+    XV.  HER WORD AND HER CERTIFICATE
+   XVI.  THE PRINCESS ROYAL SITS AS JUDGE
+  XVII.  PITCH AND TOSS
+ XVIII.  ANOTHER ACT IN THE PLAY
+   XIX.  MY COUSIN, THE DUKE
+    XX.  A TRICK OF FENCE
+   XXI.  THE BAL MASQUE
+  XXII.  BLACK KNAVE AND WHITE
+ XXIII.  AT THE INN OF THE TWISTED PINES
+  XXIV.  THE END OF THE PLAY
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"You are a soldier--an American officer?" she said,
+  suddenly. . . . . . _Frontispiece_
+
+Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first time.
+
+Our swords fell to talking in the garden of the masked ball.
+
+
+
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+
+
+I
+
+A PICTURE AND A WAGER
+
+It was raining heavily and I fastened my overcoat to the neck as I came
+down the steps of the Government Building.  Pushing through the crowds
+and clanging electric cars, at the Smithfield Street corner, I turned
+toward Penn Avenue and the Club, whose home is in a big, old-fashioned,
+grey-stone building--sole remnant of aristocracy in that section where,
+once, naught else had been.
+
+For three years I had been the engineer officer in charge of the
+Pittsburgh Harbor, and "the navigable rivers thereunto belonging"--as
+my friend, the District Judge, across the hall, would say--and my
+relief was due next week.  Nor was I sorry.  I was tired of dams and
+bridges and jobs, of levels and blue prints and mathematics.  I wanted
+my sword and pistols--a horse between my legs--the smell of gunpowder
+in the air.  I craved action--something more stirring than dirty banks
+and filthy water and coal-barges bound for Southern markets.
+
+Five years ago my detail would have been the envy of half the Corps.
+But times were changed.  The Spanish War had done more than give straps
+to a lot of civilians with pulls; it had eradicated the dry-rot from
+the Army.  The officer with the soft berth was no longer deemed lucky;
+promotion passed him by and seized upon his fellow in the field.  I had
+missed the war in China and the fighting in the Philippines and, as a
+consequence, had seen juniors lifted over me.  Yet, possibly, I had
+small cause to grumble; for my own gold leaves had dropped upon me in
+Cuba, to the disadvantage of many who were my elders, and, doubtless,
+my betters as well.  I had applied for active service, but evidently it
+had not met with approval, for my original orders to report to the
+Chief of Engineers were still unchanged.
+
+The half dozen "regulars," lounging on the big leather chairs before
+the fireplace in the Club reception-room, waiting for the dinner hour,
+gave me the usual familiar yet half indifferent greeting, as I took my
+place among them and lit a cigar.
+
+"Mighty sorry we're to lose you, Major," said Marmont.  "Dinner won't
+seem quite right with your chair vacant."
+
+"I'll come back occasionally to fill it," I answered.  "Meanwhile there
+are cards awaiting all of you at the Metropolitan or the Army and Navy."
+
+"Then you don't look for an early assignment to the White Elephant
+across the Pacific?" inquired Courtney.
+
+"Good Lord!" exclaimed Hastings, "did you apply for the Philippines?"
+
+"What ails them?" I asked.
+
+"Everything--particularly Chaffee's notion that white uniforms don't
+suit the climate?"
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"Is that a criticism of your superior officer?" Marmont demanded.
+
+"That is never done in the Army," I answered.
+
+"Which being the case let us take a drink," said Westlake, and led the
+way to the café.
+
+"Looks rather squally in Europe," Courtney observed, as the dice were
+deciding the privilege of signing the check.
+
+"It will blow over, I fancy," I answered.
+
+"Have you seen the afternoon papers?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then you don't know the Titian Ambassador has been recalled."
+
+"Indeed!  Well, I still doubt if it means fight."
+
+Courtney stroked his grey imperial.  "Getting rather near one, don't
+you think?" he said.
+
+"No closer than France and Turkey were only a short while ago," I
+answered.  "Moreover, in this case, the Powers would have a word to
+say."
+
+"Yes, they are rather ready to speak out on such occasions; but, unless
+I'm much mistaken, if the Titians and the Valerians get their armies
+moving it will take more than talk from the Powers to stop them."
+
+"And it's all over a woman," I observed carelessly.
+
+Courtney gave me a sharp glance.  "I thought that was rather a secret,"
+he replied.
+
+I laughed.  "It's one, at least, that the newspapers have not
+discovered--yet.  But, where did you get it?"
+
+"From a friend; same as yourself," he said, with the suggestion of a
+smile.
+
+"My dear fellow," I said.  "I know more about the Kingdom of Valeria
+than--well, than your friend and all his assistants of the State
+Department."
+
+"I don't recall mentioning the State Department," Courtney replied.
+
+"You didn't.  I was honoring your friend by rating him among the
+diplomats."
+
+He ignored my thrust.  "Ever been to Valeria?" he asked.
+
+I nodded.
+
+"Recently?"
+
+"About six years ago."
+
+"Is that the last time?"
+
+"What are you driving at?" I asked.
+
+He answered with another question: "Seen the last number of the London
+Illustrated News?"
+
+"No," I answered.
+
+He struck the bell.  "Bring me the London News," he said to the boy.
+Opening it at the frontispiece he pushed it across to me.
+
+"Has she changed much since you saw her?" he asked, and smiled.
+
+It was a woman's face that looked at me from the page; and, though it
+was six years since I had seen it last, I recognized it instantly.
+There was, however, a certain coldness in the eyes and a firm set of
+the lip and jaw that were new to me.  But, as I looked, they seemed to
+soften, and I could have sworn that for an instant the Princess Dehra
+of Valeria smiled at me most sweetly--even as once she herself had done.
+
+"You seem uncommonly well pleased with the lady," Courtney observed.
+
+I handed back the News.
+
+"You have not answered my question," he insisted.
+
+"Look here, Courtney," I said, "it seems to me you are infernally
+inquisitive to-night."
+
+"Maybe I am--only, I wanted to know something," and he laughed softly.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"I think I know it now," he said.
+
+"Do you?" I retorted.
+
+"Want to make a bet?" he asked.
+
+"I never bet on a certainty," said I.
+
+Courtney laughed.  "Neither do I, so here's the wager:--a dinner for
+twenty that you and I are in Valeria thirty days from to-night and have
+dined with the King and danced with the Princess."
+
+"Done!" said I.
+
+"All I stipulate is that you do nothing to avoid King Frederick's
+invitation."
+
+"And the Princess?" I asked.
+
+"I'm counting on her to win me the bet," he laughed.
+
+I picked up the picture and studied it again.  The longer I looked the
+more willing I was to give Courtney a chance to eat my dinner.
+
+"If the opportunity comes I'll dance with her," I said.
+
+"Of course you will--but will you stop there, I wonder?"
+
+I tapped my grey-besprinkled hair.
+
+"They are no protection," he said.  "I don't trust even my own to keep
+me steady against a handsome woman."
+
+"They are playing us false even now," said I.  "I'm not going to
+Valeria to decide a dinner bet."
+
+"You're not.  You're going as the representative of our Army to observe
+the Valerian-Titian War."
+
+"You're as good as a gypsy or a medium.  When do I start?"
+
+"Don't be rude, my dear chap, and forget that, under the wager, I'm to
+be in the King's invitation--also the dance.  We sail one week from
+to-day."
+
+"A bit late to secure accommodations, isn't it?"
+
+"They are booked--on the Wilhelm der Grosse."
+
+"You are playing a long shot--several long shots," I
+laughed:--"War--Washington--me."
+
+"Wrong," said Courtney.  "I'm playing only War.  I have the Secretary
+and the Princess has you."
+
+"You have the Secretary!"
+
+"Days ago."
+
+"The Devil!" I exclaimed, lifting my glass abstractedly.
+
+"The Princess! you mean," said Courtney quickly, lifting his own and
+clicking mine.
+
+I looked at the picture again--and again it seemed to smile at me.
+
+"The Princess!" I echoed; and we drank the toast.  "We're a pair of old
+fools," said I, when the glasses were emptied.
+
+Courtney picked up the News and held the picture before me.
+
+"Say that to her," he challenged.
+
+"I can't be rude to her very face," I answered lamely.
+
+Just then one of the "buttons" handed me a telegram.  I tore open the
+yellow envelope and read the sheet, still damp from the copy-press.  It
+ran:--
+
+
+"Titia declares war.  Detail as attaché open.  If desired report at
+headquarters immediately.  Hennecker relieves you in morning.  Answer."
+
+"(signed) HENDERSON, A. A. G."
+
+
+I tossed it over to Courtney.  "You're that much nearer the dinner," I
+said.
+
+"And the Princess also," he added.
+
+"Then you're actually going?" I asked.
+
+"My dear Major, did you ever doubt it?"
+
+"Your vagaries are past doubting," I answered.
+
+"And yours?"
+
+"I am going under orders of the War Department."
+
+"Of course," he answered, "of course.  And, that being so, you won't
+mind my confessing that I'm going largely on account of--a woman."
+
+"I won't mind anything that gives me your companionship."
+
+"So, it's settled," he said.  "Let us have some dinner, and then cut in
+for a farewell turn in the game of hearts upstairs."
+
+"It will be another sort of game over the water," I observed.
+
+"Yes--with a different sort of hearts," he said thoughtfully.
+
+"Is it possible, Courtney, you are growing sentimental?" I demanded.
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "There's no fool like an old fool, you
+know," he answered.
+
+"Unless it be one that is just old enough to be neither old nor young,"
+said I.
+
+Then we went in to dinner.
+
+Courtney is a good fellow; one of the best friends a man can have; well
+born, rich, with powerful political connections in both Parties, and
+having no profession nor necessary occupation to tie him down.  His
+tastes ran to diplomacy, and Secretaries of State--knowing this fact,
+and being further advised of it at various times by certain prominent
+Senators--had given him numerous secret missions to both Europe and
+South America.  Legations had been offered to him but these he had
+always declined; for, as he told me, he preferred the quiet,
+independent work, that carried no responsible social duties with it.
+
+It happened that General Russell, our representative at the Court of
+Valeria, was home on vacation.  Naturally, he would now return in all
+haste.  Here, I imagined, was an explanation of my sudden orders.  He
+was an intimate of our family; had known me since childhood, and,
+doubtless, had asked for my detail to his household, and also for
+Courtney's.  And Courtney, naturally, having been early consulted in
+the matter, knew all the facts and so was able to bluff at me with
+them.  It would be just as well to call him.
+
+"Is General Russell crossing with us?" I asked carelessly.
+
+Courtney shook his head.  "He is not going back to Valeria."
+
+"Oh!" said I, realizing suddenly my mistake, "I didn't appreciate I was
+dining with an Ambassador."
+
+"It's not yet announced.  However, I'm glad it does not change me," he
+laughed.
+
+"I can tell that better after we reach Valeria--and you have danced
+with the Princess."
+
+He sipped his coffee meditatively.  "Yes, there may be changes in
+Valeria in us both," he said presently.
+
+"Don't do the heavy reproof if I chance to forget the difference in our
+rank," I answered.  "But you must manage one turn for me with Her Royal
+Highness, if you're to eat my dinner, you know."
+
+"How many times have you been to Valeria?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Some half dozen," I replied, surprised.
+
+"Ever been in the private apartments of the Palace of Dornlitz?"
+
+"No--I think not."
+
+"I mean, particularly, the corridor where hang the portraits of the
+Kings?"
+
+"I don't recall them."
+
+He laughed shortly.  "Believe me, you would recall them well," he said.
+
+"What the devil are you driving at?" I asked.
+
+"I'll show you the night you dance with the Princess."
+
+"A poor army officer doesn't usually have such honors."
+
+"No--not if he be only a poor army officer.  But, if he chance to
+be----"
+
+"Well," I said, "be what?"
+
+"I'll tell you in the picture gallery," he answered.
+
+And not another word would he say in the matter.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+CONCERNING ANCESTORS
+
+However, I did not need to wait so long for my answer.  I knew it quite
+as well as Courtney--maybe a trifle better.  Nevertheless, it is a bit
+jolting to realize, suddenly, that some one has been prying into your
+family history.
+
+On the west wall of the Corridor of Kings, in the Palace of Dornlitz,
+hung the full-length portrait of Henry, third of the name and tenth of
+the Line.  A hundred and more years had passed since he went to his
+uncertain reward; and now, in me, his great-great-grandson, were his
+face and figure come back to earth.
+
+I had said, truly enough, that I had never been in the Gallery of
+Kings.  But it was not necessary for me to go there to learn of this
+resemblance to my famous ancestor.  For, handed down from eldest son to
+eldest son, since the first Dalberg came to American shores, and, so,
+in my possession now, was an ivory miniature of the very portrait which
+Courtney had in mind.
+
+And the way of it, and how I chanced to be of the blood royal of
+Valeria, was thus:
+
+Henry the Third--he of the portrait--had two sons, Frederick and Hugo,
+and one daughter, Adela.  Frederick, the elder son, in due time came to
+the throne and, dying, passed the title to his only child, Henry; who,
+in turn, was succeeded by his only child, Frederick, the present
+monarch.
+
+Adela, the daughter, married Casimir, King of Titia,--and of her
+descendants more anon.
+
+Hugo, the younger son, was born some ten years after his brother,--to
+be accurate, in 1756,--and after the old King had laid aside his sword
+and retired into the quiet of his later years.  With an honestly
+inherited love of fighting, and the inborn hostility to England that,
+even then, had existed in the Valerians for a hundred years, Hugo
+watched with quickening interest the struggle between the North
+American Colonies and Great Britain which began in 1775.  When the
+Marquis de Lafayette threw in his fortunes with the Americans, Hugo had
+begged permission to follow the same course.  This the old King had
+sternly refused; pointing out its impropriety from both a political and
+a family aspect.
+
+But Hugo was far from satisfied, and his desire to have a chance at
+England waxing in proportion as the Colonies' fortunes waned, he at
+last determined to brave his fierce old father and join the struggling
+American army whether his sire willed it or no.  His mind once formed,
+he would have been no true son of Henry had he hesitated.
+
+The King heard him quietly to the end,--too quietly, indeed, to presage
+well for Hugo.  Then he answered:
+
+"I take it sir, your decision is made beyond words of mine to change.
+Of course, I could clap you into prison and cool your hot blood with
+scant diet and chill stones, but, such would be scarce fitting for a
+Dalberg.  Neither is it fitting that a Prince of Valeria should fight
+against a country with which I am at peace.  Therefore, the day you
+leave for America will see your name stricken from the rolls of our
+House, your title revoked, and your return here prohibited by royal
+decree.  Do I make myself understood?"
+
+So far as I have been able to learn, no one ever accused my
+great-grandfather of an inability to understand plain speech, and old
+Henry's was not obscure.  Indeed, Hugo remembered it so well that he
+made it a sort of preface in the Journal which he began some months
+thereafter, and kept most carefully to the very last day of his life.
+The Journal says he made no answer to his father save a low bow.
+
+Two days later, as plain Hugo Dalberg, he departed for America.  For
+some time he was a volunteer Aide to General Washington.  Later,
+Congress commissioned him colonel of a regiment of horse; and, as such,
+he served to the close of the war.  When the Continental Army was
+disbanded, he purchased a place upon the eastern shore of Maryland;
+and, marrying into one of the aristocratic families of the
+neighborhood, settled down to the life of a simple country gentleman.
+
+He never went back to the land of his birth, nor, indeed, even to
+Europe.  And this, though, one day, there came to his mansion on the
+Chesapeake the Valerian Minister to America and, with many bows and
+genuflections, presented a letter from his brother Frederick,
+announcing the death of their royal father and his own accession, and
+offering to restore to Hugo his rank and estates if he would return to
+court.
+
+And this letter, like his sword, his Order of the Cincinnati, his
+commissions and the miniature, has been the heritage of the eldest son.
+In his soldier days his nearest comrade had been Armand, Marquis de la
+Rouerie, and for him his first-born was christened; and hence my own
+queer name--for an American: Armand Dalberg.
+
+There was one of the traditions of our House that had been scrupulously
+honored: there was always a Dalberg on the rolls of the Army; though
+not always was it the head of the family, as in my case.  For the rest,
+we buried our royal descent.  And though it was, naturally, well known
+to my great-grandsire's friends and neighbors, yet, in the succeeding
+generations, it has been forgotten and never had I heard it referred to
+by a stranger.
+
+Therefore, I was surprised and a trifle annoyed at Courtney's
+discovery.  Of course, it was possible that he had been attracted only
+by my physical resemblance to the Third Henry and was not aware of the
+relationship; but this was absurdly unlikely, Courtney was not one to
+stop at half a truth and Dalberg was no common name.  Doubtless the
+picture had first put him on the track and after that the rest was
+easy.  What he did not know, however, but had been manoeuvring to
+discover, was how far I was known at the Court of Valeria.  Well, he
+was welcome to what he had got.
+
+Now, as a matter of fact, it was quite likely that the Dalbergs of
+Dornlitz had totally forgotten the Dalbergs of America.  Since
+Frederick's minister had rumbled away from that mansion on the
+Chesapeake, a century and more ago, there had been no word passed
+between us.  Why should there be?  We had been disinherited and
+banished.  They had had their offer of reinstatement courteously
+refused.  We were quits.
+
+I think I was the first of the family to set foot within Valeria since
+Hugo left it.  Ten years ago, during a summer's idling in Europe, I had
+been seized with the desire to see the land of my people.  It was a
+breaking of our most solemn canon, yet I broke it none the less.  Nor
+was that the only time.  However, I had the grace,--and, possibly, the
+precaution,--to change my name on such occasions.  In the Kingdom of
+Valeria I was that well-known American, Mr. John Smith.
+
+I did the ordinary tourist; visited the places of interest, and put up
+at the regular hotels.  Occasionally, I was stared at rather
+impertinently by some officer of the Guards and I knew he had noted my
+resemblance to the national hero.  I never made any effort to be
+presented to His Majesty nor to establish my relationship.  I should
+have been much annoyed had anything led to it being discovered.
+
+Once, in the park of the palace, I had passed the King walking with a
+single aide-de-camp, and his surprise was such he clean forgot to
+return my salute; and a glance back showed him at a stand and gazing
+after me.  I knew he was thinking of the portrait in the Corridor of
+Kings.  That was the last time I had seen my royal cousin.
+
+The next day, while riding along a secluded bridle path some miles from
+Dornlitz, I came upon a woman leading a badly-limping horse.  She was
+alone,--no groom in sight,--and drawing rein I dismounted and asked if
+I could be of service.  Then I saw her face, and stepped back in
+surprise.  Her pictures were too plentiful in the capital for me to
+make mistake.  It was the Princess Dehra.
+
+I bowed low.  "Your Royal Highness's pardon," I said.  "I did not mean
+to presume."
+
+She measured me in a glance.  "Indeed, you are most opportune," she
+said, with a frank smile.  "I have lost the groom,--his horse was too
+slow,--and I've been punished by Lotta picking a stone I cannot remove."
+
+CONCERNING ANCESTORS   25
+
+"By your leave," I said, and lifted the mare's hoof.  Pressing back the
+frog I drew out the lump of sharp gravel.
+
+"It looks so easy," she said.
+
+"It was paining her exceedingly, but she is all right now."
+
+"Then I may mount?"
+
+I bowed.
+
+"Without hurting Lotta?" she asked.
+
+I turned the mare about and dropped my hand into position.  For a
+moment she hesitated.  Then there was the swish of a riding skirt, the
+glint of a patent-leather boot, an arched foot in my palm, and without
+an ounce of lift from me she was in the saddle.
+
+I stepped back and raised my hat.
+
+She gathered the reins slowly; then bent and patted the mare's neck.
+
+I made no move.
+
+"I am waiting," she said presently, with a quick glance my way.
+
+"I do not see the groom," said I, looking back along the road.
+
+She gave a little laugh.  "You won't," she said.  "He thinks I went
+another way."
+
+"Then Your Highness means----"
+
+"You do not look so stupid," she remarked.
+
+"Sometimes men's looks are deceiving."
+
+"Then, sir, Her Highness means she is waiting for you to mount," she
+said, very graciously.
+
+"As her groom?" I asked.
+
+"As anything you choose, so long as you ride beside me to the hill
+above the Park."
+
+I took saddle at the vault and we trotted away.
+
+"Why did you make me ask for your attendance?" she demanded.
+
+"Because I dared not offer it."
+
+"Another deception in your looks," she replied.
+
+I laughed.  She had evened up.
+
+"You are a soldier--an American officer?" she said suddenly.
+
+"Your Highness has guessed most shrewdly," I answered, in surprise.
+
+"Are you staying at the Embassy?" she asked.
+
+"No," said I.  "I am not on the staff.  I am only a bird of passage."
+
+"Do you know General Russell?"
+
+"My father knew him, I believe," I answered, evasively, and turned the
+talk into less personal matters.
+
+When we reached the hill I drew rein.  Down in the valley lay the
+Summer Palace and the gates of the Park were but a few hundred yards
+below us.  I dismounted to say good-bye.
+
+"I am very grateful for your courtesy," she said.
+
+"It is for the stranger to be grateful for your trust," I answered.
+
+She smiled,--that smile was getting into my poor brain--"A woman
+usually knows a gentleman," she said.
+
+I bowed.
+
+"And under certain circumstances she likes to know his name," she added.
+
+For a moment I was undecided.  Should I tell her and claim my
+cousinship?  I was sorely tempted.  Then I saw what a mistake it would
+be,--she would not believe it,--and answered:
+
+"John Smith, Your Royal Highness, and your most obedient servant."
+
+She must have noticed my hesitation, for she studied my face an
+instant, then said, with a pause between each word and a peculiar
+stress on the name:
+
+"General--Smith?"
+
+"Simple Captain," I answered.  "We do not climb so rapidly in our Army."
+
+Just then, from the barracks three miles away, came the boom of the
+evening gun.
+
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I am late.  I must hasten.  Good-bye, _mon
+Capitaine_; you have been very kind."
+
+She drew off her gauntlet and extended her hand.  I bent and
+kissed,--possibly too lingeringly,--the little fingers.
+
+"Farewell, Princess," I said.  And then, half under my breath, I added:
+"Till we meet again."
+
+She heard, and again that smile.  "'_Auf Wiedersehen_' be it," she
+answered.
+
+Then she rode away.
+
+I leaned against my horse's shoulder and watched her as she went slowly
+down the hill, the full glory of the sinking sun upon her, and the
+shadows of the great trees close on either side.  Presently there came
+a bend in the road and, turning in the saddle, she waved her hand.
+
+I answered with my hat.  Then she was gone.  That was how I met the
+Princess Royal of Valeria.  And, unless she has told it (which,
+somehow, I doubt), none knows it but ourselves.  I had never seen her
+since.  Perhaps that is why I was quite content for Courtney to win his
+bet.  Truly, a man's heart does not age with his hair.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+IN DORNLITZ AGAIN
+
+The declaration of war by Titia had come so suddenly that when Courtney
+and I sailed for Europe, the Powers were still in the air and watching
+one another.  No battle had been fought; but the armies were frowning
+at each other on the frontier, and several skirmishes had occurred.
+
+Ostensibly, the trouble was over a slice of territory which Henry the
+Third had taken from Titia as an indemnity for some real or fancied
+wrongs done him.  Valeria, with its great general and powerful army,
+was too strong in those days for Titia to do more than protest--and,
+then, to take its punishment, which, for some reason that was doubtless
+sufficient to him.  Henry had seen fit to make as easy as it might be,
+by giving his daughter, Adela, to Casimir for wife.
+
+Whether the lady went voluntarily or not I cannot say.  Yet it was,
+doubtless, the same with both Kings: The one got an unwilling province;
+the other, an unwilling bride.  Only, Titia's trouble was soonest over.
+
+This ravished Murdol had always been a standing menace to the peace of
+the two countries; Titia had never forgiven its seizure, and Valeria
+was afflicted with the plague of disaffected subjects on its very
+border.  Here, as I have said, was the real _casus belli_,--a constant
+irritation that had at length got past bearing.
+
+But, in truth, the actual breach was due to a woman.  The Crown Prince
+of Titia had come a wooing of the Princess Royal of Valeria, and had
+been twice refused by her.  King Frederick had left the question
+entirely in her hands.  Her choice was her own, to marry or to decline.
+As a matter of state policy the match was greatly desired by him and
+his Ministers.  They were becoming very weary of Murdol and the turmoil
+it maintained on the border, and the great force of troops required
+there to preserve order.  Then, too, Titia had grown vastly in wealth
+and population since old Henry's time, and, now, was likely more than a
+match for its ancient enemy.   Frederick was aging and desired peace in
+his closing years.  He had long wished for a diplomatic way to rid
+himself of the troublesome province, and the marriage of Casimir and
+Dehra would afford it.  Murdol could be settled upon the Princess as
+her dower.
+
+It was an admirable solution of the whole vexing question.  Yet, unlike
+old Henry, Frederick was the father before he was the King; and, beyond
+telling the Princess frankly the policy which moved him in the matter,
+he did nothing to coerce her.  But the Ministers had no scruples of
+affection nor of kinship to control them and they brought all sorts of
+persuasive pressure upon her to obtain her consent to the match.  All
+this was known to the Kingdom, and the vast majority of the people were
+with the Princess.  The Army was with her to a man.
+
+The first proposal Dehra had declined promptly to the Prince in person.
+He had made it lover-like, and not through the diplomatic channels.
+After that the Titian Foreign Office took a hand, and the poor girl's
+troubles began.
+
+For six months the matter pended,--and still Dehra held firm.  Then
+Titia mobilized its army and demanded a decision within two
+days:--either the Princess or Murdol.  It got a "No" in two hours.  The
+declaration of war followed straight-way.
+
+Most of these facts were already known to me.  Those of latest
+happening came to Courtney from the State Department on the eve of our
+sailing.
+
+"It looks like a one-battle war," he had observed.
+
+"Add a letter to your sentence and you will be nearer right," I
+answered.
+
+He laughed.  "A none-battle war, you mean."
+
+And so it proved.  When we landed it was to find that Germany had
+offered to mediate, and that, while the two Kingdoms were thinking it
+over, a truce had been declared.  Consequently, instead of hurrying
+straight to the Valerian army, I journeyed leisurely with Courtney to
+the capital.  There the first news that met us was that Germany's
+mediation had been accepted and that the war was at an end--for the
+present, at least.
+
+So, once again, had the Powers, in the interest of European peace,
+struck up the swords.
+
+As we drove from the station to the Embassy we observed flags flying
+from almost every house, and that the public buildings were lavishly
+decorated.
+
+"Peace seems to be well received," I remarked.
+
+"It's the King's birthday," Courtney answered.
+
+"And a very happy one, I fancy."
+
+Courtney stared at me.  "How so?" he said.
+
+"He can now both keep his daughter and be rid of Murdol."
+
+"The Princess is saved, of course, but in deference to the national
+self-respect, he dare give up Murdol only in one contingency:--if Titia
+can be persuaded to pay a money value for it.  Which I doubt."
+
+I said nothing.  I, too, doubted.
+
+"However, it's not important to us," said he.  "Whatever the outcome
+the lady will be here long enough for you to lose the wager."
+
+"Damn the wager," I exclaimed.
+
+"Damn everything you have a mind to, my dear fellow," he encouraged.
+
+"And you in particular," I said.
+
+"Wherefore, my dear Major?" he laughed.
+
+"For suggesting this fool thing."
+
+"Poor boy!  I should have regarded your youthful impetuosity."
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"And grey hairs," he added.
+
+"I've a mind to toss you out of the carriage," said I.
+
+"Do it,--and save me the trouble of getting myself out," he answered;
+and then we drew under the _porte cochère_ at the Embassy.
+
+The matter of a residence had not bothered Courtney.  He simply took
+General Russell's lease off his hands, and twenty thousand a year rent
+with it.  I was to live at the Legation, there being no Ambassadorial
+women folks to make the staff _de trop_.  Naturally, I was quite
+satisfied.  It was a bit preferable to hotel hospitality.  And, then,
+the assistants were good fellows.
+
+Cosgrove, who had been First Secretary for ten years, was from the
+estate next my own on the Eastern Shore.  It was through him I had been
+able to preserve my incog. so securely during my former visits to
+Valeria.  And if he had any curiosity as to my motives, he was
+courteous enough never to show it.  "The best assistant in Europe,"
+Courtney had once pronounced him.
+
+Then there was Pryor, the Naval Attaché.  He had been off "cruising
+with the Army," as Cosgrove put it, pending my arrival and was not yet
+returned to Dornlitz.  The others of the office force were young
+fellows,--rich boys, either _in presente_ or _futuro_,--who, likely,
+could only be depended upon to do the wrong thing.  Being fit for
+nothing at home, therefore, they had been considered to be particularly
+well qualified for the American diplomatic service.
+
+My room overlooked the Avenue, and the writing-desk was near the
+window.  I was drawing the formal report to the War Department of my
+arrival at Dornlitz and the status political and military, when the
+clatter of hoofs on the driveway drew my attention.  It was a tall
+officer in the green-and-gold of the Royal Guards, and pulling up
+sharply he tossed his rein to his orderly.  I heard the door open and
+voices in the hall; and, then, in a few minutes, he came out and rode
+away, with the stiff, hard seat of the European cavalryman.  I was
+still watching him when Courtney entered.
+
+"What do you think of him?" he asked.
+
+"I haven't seen enough of him to think," said I.
+
+"Not even enough to wonder who he is?"
+
+I yawned.  "His uniform tells me he is a colonel of the Guard."
+
+"But nothing else?"
+
+"I can read a bit more."
+
+"From the uniform?" he asked.
+
+I nodded.
+
+"You're a veritable Daniel," Courtney laughed.  "What saith the
+writing--or rather, what saith the uniform?"
+
+"It's very simple to those who read uniforms."
+
+"So!" said he.  "I await the interpretation."
+
+"It's too easy," I retorted.  "A Point Plebe could do it.  Your visitor
+was one of His Majesty's Aides-de-Camp bearing an invitation to the
+ball at the Palace to-night."
+
+For once I saw Courtney's face show surprise.
+
+"How did you guess it?" he said, after a pause.
+
+"A diplomat should watch the newspapers," said I, and pointed to this
+item in the Court News of that morning's issue:
+
+
+"His Excellency the Honorable Richard Courtney, the newly accredited
+American Ambassador, is expected to arrive to-day.  He is accompanied
+by Major Dalberg, the Military Attaché.  His Majesty has ordered his
+Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Bernheim, to invite them to the Birthday Ball
+to-night; where they will be honored by a special presentation."
+
+
+Courtney read it carefully.  "At last I see the simple truth in a daily
+paper," he commented.  "But, as for you, my friend, button your coat
+well over your heart for it's in for a hard thump tonight."
+
+"So?" said I.
+
+"There won't be so much indifference after you've met Her and--seen a
+certain picture in the Corridor of Kings," he retorted, with a superior
+smile.
+
+"Think not?" said I, with another yawn.  "What if I've done both years
+ago?"
+
+He eyed me sharply.  "It's foolish to bluff when a show-down is
+certain," he said.
+
+"So one learns in the army."
+
+"Of course not every hand needs to bluff," he said slowly.
+
+"No--not every hand," I agreed.
+
+He went over to the door.  On the threshold he turned.
+
+"I wonder if this is my laugh, or yours, to-night," he said.
+
+"We will laugh together," I answered.
+
+Then he went out.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE SALUTE OF A COUSIN
+
+I would have been rather a wooden sort of individual had I felt no stir
+in my heart as, for the first time, I entered the Castle of my
+ancestors and stood in the ante-chamber waiting to be presented to the
+Head of my House.  I believe I am as phlegmatic as most men, but I
+would give very little for one who, under like conditions, would not
+feel a press of emotion.  I know it came to me with sharp
+intensity,--and I see no shame in the admission; nor will any one else
+whose heart is the heart of an honest man.  I have no patience with
+those creatures who deride sentiment.  They are either liars or idiots.
+Religion, itself, is sentimental; and so is every refined instinct of
+our lives.  Destroy the sentimental in man and the brute alone remains.
+
+We waited but a moment and then were ushered into the royal presence.
+The greeting was entirely informal.  Courtney was no stranger to
+Valeria, and had met the King frequently during the last ten years.
+Frederick came forward and shook his hand most cordially and welcomed
+him to Court.  It was like the meeting of two friends.  During it I had
+time to observe the King.
+
+He wore the green uniform of a General, with the Jewel of the Order of
+the Lion around his neck.  His sixty odd years sat very lightly and
+left no mark save in the facial wrinkles and grey hair.  He was a true
+Dalberg in height and general appearance, and with the strong, straight
+nose that was as distinctive to our family as was the beak to the
+Bourbons.
+
+I had remained in the background during Courtney's greeting, but, when
+he turned and presented me, I advanced and bowed.  As I straightened,
+the King extended his hand saying:
+
+"We are glad to----"
+
+Then he caught a full view of my face and stopped, staring.  I dropped
+his hand and stepped back; and, for a space, no one moved.  Only, I
+shot a side glance at Courtney and caught a half smile on his lips.
+Then Frederick recovered himself.
+
+"Your pardon, sir, but I did not catch the name," he said.
+
+Courtney's finesse saved me the embarrassment of a self-introduction.
+
+"Major Dalberg, of the United States Army, Your Majesty," he said
+quickly.  "The representative of our War Department with your army."
+
+"Dalberg--Dalberg," he muttered; then added, perfunctorily: "Our army
+is at your service, sir, though I fear we shall be unable to give you
+the war."
+
+"The army is quite enough, Sire," I began; but it was plain he did not
+hear me.  He was studying my face again and thinking.  Courtney, I
+could see, was having the finest sort of sport.  I could have throttled
+him.
+
+"You have our name, Major," said the King.  "May I ask if it is a
+common one in America?"
+
+"I know of no family but my own that bears it, there," I answered.
+
+He sat down and motioned for us to do likewise.
+
+"I am interested," said he.  "Has your family been long in America?"
+
+"Since the year 1777."
+
+He leaned a bit forward.  "That was during your Revolutionary War."
+
+"Yes, Your Majesty.  It was that year Lafayette joined Washington's
+Army."  That will give him a surprise, I thought.
+
+It did.
+
+"Do you know the name of the Dalberg of 1777?" he asked quickly.
+
+I saw no profit in evasion.  "He was Hugo, second son of Henry the
+Third of Valeria," I replied.
+
+"I knew it," he exclaimed, jumping up and coming over to me.  "And you
+are?"
+
+"His great-grandson and eldest male heir."
+
+"Then, as such, I salute you, cousin," he said, and suddenly kissed me
+on the cheek.
+
+Were you ever kissed by a man?  If so, and you are a woman, it
+doubtless was pleasant enough, and, maybe, not unusual; but if you are
+a man, it will surprise you mightily the first time.
+
+Of course, I understood all the significance of Frederick's action.
+Royalty on the Continent so greets only royalty or relatives.  It meant
+I was accepted as one of the Blood and a Prince of my House.  I admit
+my pride was stirred.
+
+"Your Majesty overwhelms me," I said, bowing again.  "I expected no
+recognition.  I am entitled to none.  Our name was stricken from the
+Family Roll."
+
+He made a deprecating gesture.  "Don't let that disturb you, cousin."
+
+"And believe me, also, I had no intention to disclose my relationship,"
+I protested.
+
+The King laughed.  "You could not hide it with that face," he said.
+
+I must have flushed, for he exclaimed: "Ha!  You know that, do you?"
+
+For answer I drew out the miniature of old Henry, which I had brought
+hoping for an opportunity to compare it with the original, and handed
+it to him.
+
+He gave it a quick glance and nodded.  "Yes, that went with Hugo," he
+said.
+
+I was surprised and looked it.
+
+"Oh, the family records are very complete as to the affair of your
+headstrong ancestor," he explained.  "Old Henry himself set it all out
+in his journal; and he speaks of this very miniature as having been
+given to Hugo by his mother, the day he left Dornlitz.  There were two
+of them, copied from the portrait in the Corridor."  He crossed to a
+cabinet.  "And here is the other one," he said.
+
+I glanced at Courtney.  He threw up his hands in defeat; at the same
+time, however, signifying that I should press my advantage while the
+King was so well disposed.
+
+But I shook my head.  My descent had been acknowledged, and that was
+quite enough--more than enough, indeed.  I had come to Valeria as a
+Major in the American Army.  I sought no favors from the Dalbergs here.
+From which it would seem that a bit of Hugo's stubborn independence had
+come down to me.  As for Courtney, the shrug of his shoulders was very
+eloquent of what he thought of such independence.
+
+"Perchance you never heard of a certain letter dispatched to Hugo by
+his brother, Frederick, after Henry's death?" the King asked.
+
+"And delivered by his Ambassador," I supplemented.
+
+"The same.  Hugo, too, seems to have kept a journal."
+
+"He kept the letter itself, and a copy of his answer," I added.
+
+The King laughed.  "Altogether, Hugo must have been a rare fine fellow,
+with a mind of his own."
+
+"He was a son of Henry the Third," I answered.
+
+The King nodded.  "Yet 'twas a pity he did not accept Frederick's
+offer."
+
+"I fancy the new life was more to his mind."
+
+"Doubtless,--but, had he returned, it would be you and not Ferdinand of
+Lotzen who would be the Heir Presumptive of Valeria."
+
+I smiled.  "Had he returned I would not be I."
+
+"True enough," said he.  "But think of the crown of your ancestors that
+might be yours."
+
+"It is enough to be a Dalberg.  I have never thought of the crown," I
+answered.
+
+"There spoke the son of Hugo," he said.
+
+Then, suddenly, he seemed to remember that we were not alone, and,
+springing up, he sought out Courtney, who, though unable to get out of
+ear-shot, had courteously retired to the remotest corner of the room.
+
+"My dear Courtney," he exclaimed.  "I have been unpardonably rude.  I
+forgot you completely.  Yet, you brought it on yourself; you should
+have prepared me for my cousin."
+
+But Courtney had his part to play.  He must keep the American
+Ambassador free from fault.
+
+"Major Dalberg never disclosed his relationship to your Majesty," he
+said, formally; "else, as you are well aware, he could not have been
+given the detail without your express permission.  As it is, I shall be
+obliged to report the matter to my Government and----"
+
+"Do so, by all means, if it will keep your records clear," the King cut
+in, in the same formal tone; "but be careful, at the same time, to say
+to your State Department that we shall deem it a personal affront if
+our Kinsman be recalled.  And, now, sir," he went on with an amused
+smile and dropping the conventional air, "confess it.  Didn't you
+suspect the relationship?"
+
+"I have been a guest at the Court of Valeria too often not to have
+noted a certain resemblance," Courtney admitted readily.  Then, like a
+good fellow, he set me right.  "But, be assured, Your Majesty, not I
+nor I believe anyone, has ever heard Major Dalberg speak of his royal
+descent; though I admit I have tried hard to draw him to it."
+
+The King looked at me and nodded in approval.
+
+"It is a law of the family, laid down by Hugo himself," I explained.
+"Though, of course, our silence does not prevent anyone from proving
+the fact who investigates our genealogy," and I glanced significantly
+at Courtney.
+
+This time it was he who doubled his fist at me.
+
+Then a door behind me opened and I heard the trail of a gown--whose, it
+was easy to guess.  Only one woman could have the privilege of entering
+the King's presence unbidden.
+
+As Courtney and I arose and stepped back, the Princess halted
+uncertainly.
+
+"Come, Dehra," said the King.  "You know the American Ambassador."
+
+Courtney bowed, but the Princess held out her hand, saying cordially:
+
+"We are glad to welcome Mr. Courtney here as a resident."
+
+Courtney made some fitting reply,--there was always one on the end of
+his tongue.  And then the King turned to me.
+
+"Major Dalberg," he said, "salute your cousin."
+
+I do not know which cousin was the more startled, but I am quite sure
+which was the more embarrassed.  In truth, for a moment, I was too
+confused to move.  The one thought that kept pounding through my brain
+was: "What am I expected to do?"  Frederick had saluted me with a kiss;
+was it possible he meant me to kiss Dehra!  I glanced across at
+Courtney,--he was struggling to suppress his merriment,--then back at
+the Princess; and caught what I was fool enough to imagine was a look
+of glad surprise.  She had recognized and remembered me.
+
+That settled it.  I stepped forward and deliberately kissed her on the
+cheek.
+
+The next instant my mouth stung with the blow of an open hand, and I
+was looking down into the flashing eyes and flaming face of the
+Princess.
+
+It was quite evident I had not been expected to kiss her.
+
+"Sir!" she exclaimed.  "Sir!"  And with each word she seemed to strike
+me afresh.  Then words failed her, and with another gesture of disdain
+she gave me her back.
+
+"Your Majesty, who is this----?" she began.
+
+Then she stopped and I heard her catch her breath.  The next moment,
+with high-held head she swept by me and from the room.  And with her
+going crumbled all the bright castles I had builded on the memories of
+that ride in the forest, six years before.
+
+Of course I had been a silly fool.  The fiend himself must have
+possessed me.  But I had kissed her, and that was something to
+remember,--though, doubtless, that itself but proved me the greater
+idiot.  All this and much more whirled through my mind in the moment of
+the Princess's leaving; then I turned, expecting to face the scorn of
+the King,--and found him wiping the tears from his eyes and shaking
+with laughter.
+
+So this was what had seat Dehra from the room in anger.  And,
+straightway, the skies brightened.  Plainly, if her father were not
+offended, I might yet make my peace with her.
+
+Then I, too, began to smile.  Doubtless there was a funny side to it;
+though it seemed to be more evident to the spectators than to me.  At
+any rate, the King still laughed, and so did Courtney; though quietly
+and discreetly.  His, I admit, I did not relish; so I spoke.
+
+"I am very sorry, Your Majesty; I meant no offence----" I began.
+
+"Nonsense, Major," the King interrupted.  "You gave none."
+
+"Indeed!" I said, and rubbed my mouth.
+
+"Oh, don't hold that against the Princess," he chuckled.
+
+"She didn't hit half hard enough." I said.  "She should have knocked me
+down."
+
+He shook his head.  "She misunderstood the whole matter.  I forgot she,
+doubtless, knows nothing of the American branch of the House; so, my
+calling you cousin conveyed no meaning, if indeed she even heard it.
+She simply thought you a presumptuous stranger."
+
+"And so I am."
+
+He waved the idea aside.  "You are her nearest male relative after
+myself."
+
+"That may mitigate my presumption--but, none the less, I'm a stranger."
+
+"No Dalberg is stranger to a Dalberg, and least of all in the presence
+of the Dalberg King," he said.  Then the smile came again.  "But, by
+the Lord, sir, I admire your pluck--to kiss the Princess Royal of
+Valeria before her father's very face."
+
+"It wasn't pluck," I protested.  "It was rank ignorance.  I was at a
+loss what greeting was proper;" and I explained my perplexity.
+
+"Of course," he said kindly, but with a shrewd twinkle in his blue
+eyes, "I understand.  Only, I fancy it would be wiser that I make your
+excuses to your cousin.  For, believe me, my dear Major, for one in
+such doubt you kissed her with amazing promptness."
+
+This time Courtney laughed aloud and the King and I joined him.
+
+"Then you think I may venture, sometime, to speak to her without
+renewed offence?" I asked presently, as we were about to retire.
+
+"Assuredly," said the King.  "When you meet her again to-night act as
+though you had known her always.  I'll answer for it, she will not
+respond with a blow."
+
+Just at the door he called to me.
+
+"Major," he said, "which would be your preference: to be introduced
+to-night as one of the Blood, or to hold off a while and continue your
+duties as American Attaché?"
+
+I had had this very matter in my mind a moment before.  "With Your
+Majesty's permission I will execute my orders--at least, for the
+present," I said.
+
+"I think that were the proper course under the circumstances.
+Meanwhile, we will provide that you have the entrée, and as many
+prerogatives of your birth as are properly consistent with conditions."
+
+Without, a chamberlain awaited to conduct us to the Hall of the Kings,
+where the birthday ball was to be held.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE SALUTE OF A FRIEND
+
+One Court function is pretty much like another, Europe over.  There is
+the same sparkle of jewels and shimmer of silk on aristocratic woman;
+the same clank of spur and rattle of sword and brilliancy of uniform on
+official man.
+
+Courtney had long ago become familiar with it all, and I in my details
+and travels had seen enough to make me indifferently easy, at least.
+We had tarried overtime with the King, and, so, were the last to reach
+the Hall.  At the door Cosgrove joined us and under his guidance we
+made our way to the diplomatic line.  Scarcely were we there when His
+Majesty and the Princess Royal were announced and between the ranks of
+bowing guests they passed to the throne.  As Frederick stepped upon the
+dais there arose spontaneously the shout, thrice repeated:
+
+"Long live the King!"
+
+And then someone cried:--
+
+"Long live Dalberg!"  And the throng joined in it twice again.
+
+How the King acknowledged it I do not know.  My whole attention was
+given to the Princess.  It was my first good view of her since the day
+I had acted as substitute groom.  For the bad few minutes lately passed
+had been given over to labial and mental sensations to the exclusion of
+the ocular.  Now I had more leisure while those ranking and senior to
+Courtney made their felicitations upon the royal birthday.
+
+She was little changed from my lady of the forest; only a bit more
+roundness to the figure and maturity in the face, particularly about
+the set of the mouth when in repose.  Otherwise, she was the same
+charming woman who had smiled me into subjection six years before.
+Beautiful?  Of course; but do not ask me for description, other than
+that she was medium in height, willowy in figure and dark blonde in
+type.  With that outline your imagination must fill in the rest.  Words
+only caricature a glorious woman.
+
+When it came our turn, the King seemed to make it a point to greet me
+with marked cordiality; not waiting for my name to be announced, but
+stepping over to the edge of the dais to meet me and holding me in
+conversation an unusual time.  It was noticed to the Court that I had
+the royal favor.
+
+Then, with the quiet aside: "It's all explained," he passed me over to
+the Princess.
+
+She was talking with Courtney, and turned and met me with a smile.
+
+"Let us shake hands and be friends, cousin," she said.
+
+The graciousness of the gesture, was plain enough to the whole room,
+but the words reached only Courtney and me.
+
+"I don't deserve it--cousin," I said; but I took her hand, none the
+less.
+
+Then, after a word more, we gave place to those that followed us.  But,
+as I bowed away, she said low: "The sixth dance, cousin."
+
+And so I knew my peace was made.
+
+I looked for some banter from Courtney, but there was none; only a bit
+of a smile under the grey moustache.  What he said was:
+
+"Come, let us circle the room and see whom we know."
+
+"We know none, if I'm to do the knowing," I said.
+
+"Queer state of affairs," he reflected; "the true Heir Presumptive, yet
+a stranger in the Court."
+
+"Oh! drop that nonsense," I said.
+
+His hand went up to his imperial.  "Nonsense?  Well, maybe so,--and
+there's the pity of it."
+
+I laughed.  "My dear fellow," I said, "you are becoming sentimental,
+and without even the excuse of a pretty woman in the case."
+
+He faced toward the throne.  "You don't act like a blind man," he said.
+
+"I can see the Princess very clearly, but only with Major Dalberg's
+eyes," I replied.
+
+"But if you were proclaimed the----"
+
+I cut him short.  "I am too old for rainbow-chasing, and Spanish
+Castles don't become an ambassador."
+
+"There you are wrong, my dear Major; diplomacy deals in _chateaux en
+Espagne_.  It has builded many upon weaker foundations than this one,
+that have, in time, become substantial and lasting."
+
+"Then, it's a good thing that we army fellows are called upon,
+occasionally, to tumble a few of them about your diplomatic ears."
+
+He laughed.  "You poor military men don't know it's only the phantom
+castles you tumble.  We never give you a chance at any others."
+
+"So I've been a Don Quixote all these years and didn't know it?"
+
+"About that!"
+
+"And that warrants you in sending me to tilt against this foolish
+heir-presumptive windmill."
+
+"But if it were to prove no windmill?"
+
+"Surely," I said--"Surely, you are not serious?"
+
+He gave me one of his quick glances and his hand went back to his chin.
+
+"'Quién sabe?' as the Spaniard would say, Major; 'Quién sabe?'" he
+replied.
+
+"Don't be an ass, Courtney," I exclaimed.  "And don't play me for one,
+either."
+
+A lift of the eyebrows was his answer--but Courtney could say much that
+way.
+
+"It's not a bad sort of occupation--being a King," he reflected.
+
+I ignored him.
+
+"And you could fill the place quite as well as Ferdinand of Lotzen," he
+went on.
+
+"You will be offering presently to wager that I'll be the next King of
+Valeria," I scoffed.
+
+"With the proper odds, I'd risk it."
+
+"Name them."
+
+"No--not yet," he said; "but I'll go you five thousand even, now, that
+you marry the Princess Royal."
+
+"This court atmosphere seems to go to your head."
+
+"That has nothing to do with the wager," he insisted.
+
+"I'll not take you," I said.  "The last fool bet is enough for me."
+
+"I thought I heard someone say: 'The sixth dance, cousin.'"
+
+"You did."
+
+"And you call that a 'fool bet'?"
+
+"I do,--and the more so that we were sober when we made it."
+
+"You're a bit hard to please, lately," he mocked.
+
+"I'm a bit easily led astray, lately, you mean," I retorted.
+
+All this talk, as we made our way through the crowd, was interrupted at
+intervals while Courtney greeted those he knew and presented me.  They
+were mainly of the diplomatic corps and, if they noted the coincidence
+of my name and Dalberg features, they were adepts enough not to show
+it.  Not so, however, with some of the elderly Valerian dignitaries and
+army officers; they were very evidently surprised and curious,--and,
+very shortly, it was plain I was the object of their discussion and
+careful observation.
+
+"How do you enjoy it?" Courtney inquired.
+
+"You forget that this is not my first visit to Dornlitz," I answered.
+
+"Some day I'd like to know of those other visits."
+
+"There's nothing to know; they were like any other tourist's."
+
+"Really, Major, you throw your opportunities away," he said, and I saw
+he did not believe me.
+
+"What opportunities?" I asked.
+
+He smiled.  "Well, not those for prevarication, certainly."
+
+"Isn't that a necessary qualification of a diplomatic attaché?" I said.
+
+"Quite the most important,--and I don't doubt you will find it useful
+before you leave Valeria."
+
+Then the band blared out into a waltz and the crowd drew away from the
+centre of the floor.  I expected the real Heir Presumptive to lead out
+the Princess.  I admit I was curious to see him.  Report made him a
+very able young fellow, and his pictures showed a goodly figure.
+Instead, however, someone in a Colonel's uniform was her partner to
+open the dance.  I turned to Courtney interrogatingly.
+
+"It is Prince Charles, Lotzen's brother," he explained.
+
+"And the Duke?" I asked.
+
+"Still with the Army, I suppose."
+
+Then the Princess swung by and, catching my eye, gave me a quick smile.
+
+"Sort of a relief, isn't it?" Courtney remarked.
+
+I nodded mechanically.
+
+"Only I wouldn't tell her so," he said.
+
+"Wouldn't tell her what?" I demanded.
+
+"That you were relieved to know she could dance."
+
+"I never doubted it," I said shortly.
+
+He looked surprised.  "Oh!" he remarked; "Oh!"--and fell to stroking
+his imperial.
+
+"Courtney," said I, "you're a great fool--and I'm another."
+
+"True, Major, quite true; I found that out long ago."
+
+My irritation went down before his unfailing good nature.  It was
+always so.
+
+"Since we are unanimous on that point," I said, "I have no ground for
+quarrel."
+
+I danced the next number with Lady Helen, the youngest daughter of Lord
+Radnor, the British Ambassador.  We were old friends, after the modern
+fashion.  I had met her in Washington some four or five years before,
+while on staff duty, and we had danced and dined ourselves into each
+other's regard.  Then, Lord Radnor was transferred to Dornlitz and I
+went back into active service.  So I had been altogether well pleased
+to find her with the Radnors when we chanced upon them during the
+stroll around the room, and I had engaged a pair of dances to give us a
+chance for a quiet little chat.
+
+"Do you know, Major, for a stranger you are arousing extraordinary
+curiosity?" she remarked, as we sat on the terrace.
+
+I smiled.  "Yes, I believe I am."
+
+She looked surprised.  "So you have heard of it?"
+
+"I knew it years ago."
+
+"Oh, how stupid!" she exclaimed.  "Of course, this is not your first
+visit to Dornlitz.  Yet, it's a queer coincidence that you should have
+both the family name and the great Henry's features."
+
+"Oh, no," said I; "not particularly queer, since I am his
+great-great-grandson."
+
+She closed her fan with a snap.  "His great-great-grandson!" she echoed.
+
+I nodded.
+
+"But I thought yours an old American family.  Didn't you tell me, one
+day at Mount Vernon, that a Dalberg fought with Washington?"
+
+It was my turn to be surprised.  I had long forgotten both the
+circumstance and the remark.  "And I told you truly enough," I answered.
+
+She frowned a bit; then shook her head.  "I cannot understand," she
+said.
+
+Doubtless I was foolish--Courtney would have called it something
+stronger--but, nevertheless, I told her the story of Hugo.  For the
+benefit of the scoffer let me say that the Lady Helen could be very
+fetching when she was so minded, and this was our first meeting in four
+years.
+
+"How romantic!" she exclaimed, when I had finished my tale.  "Father
+will be so interested."
+
+I almost tumbled out of the chair.  "Lord Radnor will not have the
+opportunity to be interested," I said sharply.  "You may not tell him,
+nor anyone."
+
+"Certainly not, if you wish it," she said instantly.
+
+I thought she could be trusted; but it would do no harm to give her a
+bit of warning as to the situation.
+
+"None but the King, the Princess and Courtney knows of this
+relationship," I said.
+
+She regarded me with an amused smile.  "Which means, if it become
+known, I alone could be the tattler."
+
+There was no need to press the point further.
+
+"It is His Majesty's secret as well as mine," I said, as if in
+explanation.
+
+She shrugged her pretty shoulders.  "I shall keep it because
+it's--yours," she answered.
+
+There was no doubt Lady Helen could be fetching when she was so minded.
+
+I took her hand and kissed it.  Then I glanced around for onlookers.
+
+Lady Helen laughed softly.  "You men always do that," she said.
+
+"Oh!" said I.
+
+"You look only after it's all over."
+
+"Oh!" said I, again.
+
+"At least, so I have observed," she admitted, frankly.
+
+"You mean such has been your experience?"
+
+"Well," said she, with a mischievous gleam in her grey eyes, "wasn't it
+so just now?"
+
+I got up and looked carefully around.  No one was very near and we were
+in the shadow.  I leaned over and quickly kissed her on the cheek.
+
+"It wasn't so that time," I said.
+
+She sat perfectly quiet for a bit.
+
+"Let us hope," she said, at length; "let us hope that your eyes were
+trustworthy.  Otherwise----"
+
+"Yes?" I questioned.
+
+"Otherwise our engagement must be announced or----"
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"You must give me the chance to cut you publicly, after which you must
+leave Dornlitz."
+
+Here was a mess, sure enough.  Yet, I was in for it--as most fools
+usually are.
+
+"Which shall it be?" I said gayly.
+
+She leaned close and looked me in the eyes.  And beside her winsome
+face I saw, in my mind's eye, the Princess's, too--but only for an
+instant.  Then I took her hand again.  She smiled sweetly, almost as
+sweetly as Dehra herself could do.
+
+"Let us wait until we know if we were seen," she said.
+
+I made a move to kiss her again, but she drew away.
+
+"Not so, sir; that time you did not look," she said, and stepped out
+into the light.  Then I took her back to Lady Radnor.
+
+"Don't be disconsolate, Major," she said, as we parted.  "No one saw
+you--on the terrace."
+
+I looked down at her gravely.  "I am beginning to hope someone did," I
+said.
+
+She shot a quick glance at me over her fan.  "Are you tired of Dornlitz
+so soon?" she asked.
+
+"I think I want to stay in Dornlitz," I answered.
+
+"But the alternative, Major, the alternative."
+
+"That is why I want to stay."
+
+She smiled.  "You did that very prettily," she said.  "I shall forgive
+you the--the kiss."
+
+"But if someone saw it?" I protested.
+
+"You great stupid," she exclaimed, "no one did.  Do you think I didn't
+look?"
+
+"Oh!" said I.  "Oh!"
+
+"Sometimes you men are very foolish," she sympathized.
+
+I looked at her a bit in silence.  "You have changed since America," I
+remarked.
+
+"For the better?"
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"That's not nice of you," she said.
+
+Then Courtney came up.
+
+"Run along, Major," he ordered; "you've kept the Lady Helen over time."
+
+She took his arm.  "Please take me out on the terrace," she said.  Then
+she smiled at me aggravatingly.
+
+"Maybe our chairs are still vacant; better take Courtney to them," I
+said maliciously.
+
+It was not quite fair, possibly; and she told me so with her eyes,
+though her lips smiled.  I knew I had given her another score to settle.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+THE SIXTH DANCE
+
+It was Colonel Bernheim who brought me the Princess's commands for the
+dance; and the courteous way he did his office made me like him on the
+instant.  And this, though there was a certain deference of manner that
+was rather suggestive.
+
+The Princess was in the small room behind the throne and, when I was
+announced, beckoned me to her.
+
+"Major Dalberg," said she, when I had made my bow, "I have ordered the
+band to play an American quickstep; will you dance it with me as it is
+done at your great school--West Point, is it not?"
+
+It was done very neatly, indeed.  No one of those present could have
+imagined there was any prior arrangement as to that particular dance.
+I saw the King smile approvingly.
+
+"Your Royal Highness honors my country and its army, but through a very
+unworthy representative, I fear," I said, as I gave her my arm.  Then
+the music began.
+
+I have very little recollection of that dance; but I do know that Dehra
+needed no instruction in our way of doing the two-step; she glided
+through it as naturally as a Point-girl herself.  And, when I told her
+so, she shrugged her pretty shoulders and answered:
+
+"You are not the first American attaché, you know."
+
+"Nor the last, either," I replied, and then held my peace, though I saw
+her hide a smile behind her roses.
+
+"But you are the first that has been my cousin," she said sweetly,--and
+I succumbed, of course.  Yet I was punished promptly, nevertheless, for
+at the throne she stopped and I led her back to the King.
+
+"May I not have another dance later?" I asked.
+
+She shook her head.  "Don't you think you have been already favored
+more than you deserve, cousin?"
+
+"Yes," said I, "I do; that's why I am encouraged to ask for more."
+
+"What a paragon of modesty!" she mocked.
+
+I passed it by.  "And the dance?" I asked.
+
+"I shall dance no more to-night," she said.  Then we reached the door
+and found the small room crowded with officials and dignitaries.  The
+Princess halted sharply.  "But you may take me for a turn on the
+terrace," she concluded.
+
+As we crossed the wide floor the crowd fell back,--but Dehra gave no
+greeting to anyone, though she must have known all eyes were upon us.
+Yet, to give her due credit, she seemed as unconscious of it as if we
+were alone in the room.  As for me, I admit I was acutely conscious of
+it, and the walk to the door seemed endless.  I must have shown my
+relief when it was over, for the Princess looked up with a smile.
+
+"That's your first trial as one of the Blood," she said.
+
+"There are compensations," I answered.
+
+She ignored the point.  "They are very few."
+
+"Sometimes, one would be ample."
+
+Again she evaded.  "Yes, the privilege to be as free as the lowest
+subject," she answered, instantly.
+
+"Pure theory," I said.  "The lowest subject would think you mad."
+
+"I would gladly exchange places," she said.
+
+"Don't make any of them the offer."
+
+"No--out of regard for my Father I won't."
+
+"It's a great thing to be a Princess Royal," I ventured.
+
+"Oh, I dare say--to those who care for great things."
+
+"Who do not?"
+
+"I don't.  At least I think I don't."
+
+"You would think so only until you were not the Princess Royal."
+
+"That may be; but, as I am the Princess Royal and cannot well change my
+birthright, I don't see how I am to get the chance to think otherwise."
+
+"It's better to think you do not like great things when you have them,
+than to like them and not have them."
+
+"You make it only a choice of unhappinesses," she said.
+
+"I make it only life."
+
+"You are too young to be pessimistic," she said.
+
+"And you are too fortunate in life to be unhappy," I answered.
+
+"But you said life was but a choice of unhappinesses."
+
+"Only to the discontented."
+
+"Oh!" said she.  "Instead of a pessimist you are a philosopher."
+
+"I sincerely trust I'm neither."
+
+"So do I, cousin," she laughed, "if we are to be friends.  I don't like
+philosophers; which is natural, doubtless; and as a pessimist I prefer
+no rival."
+
+"Which is also natural," I added.  "And I promise not to interfere with
+your prerogative nor do the Socrates act again."
+
+"_Entre nous_, I think you're wise; neither becomes you particularly."
+
+I laughed.  "You're frank."
+
+"It's the privilege of cousins," she replied.
+
+"Oh!" said I.  "I'm glad you think so."
+
+"That is--in matters strictly cousinly," she added quickly.
+
+"I shall remember," I said.
+
+She gave me a quick glance.  "Can you remember several years back?" she
+said.
+
+(So, she had recognized me.)
+
+"That depends," said I.  "I have a bad memory except for pleasant
+things."
+
+"Then I am quite sure you will remember," she laughed, and fell to
+picking a rose apart, petal by petal.
+
+"I am ready to remember anything," I said, catching one of the petals.
+
+"Oh!  But maybe I don't want you to remember."
+
+"Then I'm ready----"
+
+She looked at me quickly.  "To forget?" she interrupted.
+
+"To remember only what you wish," I ended.
+
+"That means you will remember nothing until I wish it?"
+
+I caught the half-plucked rose as she let it fall.
+
+"It means my memory is at your command," I said.
+
+She drew out another rose and dropped it deliberately.
+
+"I am very awkward," she said, as I bent for it.
+
+"On the contrary, I thought you did it very prettily," I answered.
+
+She laughed.  "Then you may keep it instead of the torn one."
+
+"I shall keep both."
+
+"Always?" she mocked.
+
+"At least until I leave you."
+
+"Thank Heaven, cousin, for once in my life I have had an honest
+answer!" she exclaimed, holding out her hand.
+
+I took it.  I did not kiss it, though that may seem strange.
+Sometimes, I do have the proper sense of the fitness of things.
+
+"It's the privilege of cousins to be frank," I quoted.
+
+"Have you always been frank with me?" she asked.
+
+"Rather too much so, I fear."
+
+She gave me a sharp look.  "Do you know a Captain Smith of your Army?"
+
+"Smith is a very common name in America.  I know at least a dozen who
+are officers."
+
+"John Smith is his name.  He was a Captain, six years ago."
+
+I appeared to think a moment.  "I know two such--one in the Cavalry,
+the other in the Engineers."
+
+"Describe them, please."
+
+I showed surprise.  "Does Your Royal Highness----?"
+
+She cut in.  "That is just what she is trying to find out."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Whether either of them is the Captain Smith I have in mind."
+
+"Both would be much honored."
+
+"I am not so sure as to the one I mean.  He was a very conceited
+fellow."
+
+I gritted back a smile.  "It must have been the Engineer," I said.
+"He's a good deal of a prig."
+
+She bent over the roses.  "Oh, I wouldn't call him just that."
+
+"It's no more than I've heard him call himself," I said.
+
+"You must know him rather intimately."
+
+"On the contrary, I know him very slightly, though I've been thrown
+with him considerably."
+
+"Are you not friendly?" she asked.
+
+"We have had differences."
+
+Again the roses did duty.  "I fear you are prejudiced," she said, and I
+thought I caught a smothered laugh.
+
+"Not at all," I insisted.  "I am disposed in his favor."
+
+"So I should judge."
+
+I could not decide which way she meant it.  "Oh, he is not all bad," I
+condescended.  "In many ways he is a good sort of chap."
+
+"Now, that's better." she rejoined; "to say for him what he could not,
+of course, say for himself."
+
+I forced back another laugh.  "Oh, I don't know why he should not have
+said that to a friend," said I.
+
+"It would depend much on the friend."
+
+I did not know if she had given the opening, deliberately, but I took
+it.
+
+"Of course, he would say that only to one he felt could understand him."
+
+"You are painting him rather better than you did at first," she
+observed.
+
+"I'm warming up to the subject."
+
+"Then suppose you tell me what he looks like."
+
+"That," said I, "is to tell his greatest fault."
+
+"I do not understand."
+
+"He looks like me," I explained.
+
+"How horrible," she laughed.
+
+"He has never ceased to deplore it," I said humbly.
+
+"Surely, he never told you."
+
+"To my face, many times."
+
+"You had good cause for differences, then."
+
+"Thank you, cousin," I said.
+
+"And, may I ask," she went on, "what you did to him at such times?"
+
+I shook my head.  "It would not tell well."
+
+"No, possibly not; but tell me, anyway," she said.
+
+"Sometimes, I put him to bed--and, sometimes, I bought him a
+superabundance of red liquor."
+
+"Don't tell me the other times," she interposed.
+
+"No," said I, "I won't."
+
+She fell to plucking the roses again.
+
+"This Captain Smith," she said presently; "was he in Valeria six years
+ago?"
+
+"That would be in 189--?"  I reflected a moment.  "Yes he was here that
+year."
+
+She thought a bit.  "Was he given to reminiscing?"
+
+"No one in America but myself knew he had been to Valeria."
+
+She smiled.
+
+I saw the blunder.  "It happened he knew of my Dalberg descent," I
+hastened to add.
+
+"Has he ever mentioned an adventure in the forest near the Summer
+Palace?"
+
+"I am quite sure he has not," I said, but without looking at her.
+
+Then I felt a touch on my arm--and I took her gloved fingers in my own
+and held them.
+
+"You are very good, cousin," she said, then loosed her hand.
+
+"When did you recognize me?" I asked.
+
+"When you kissed me.  That was why I was so angry."
+
+"I noticed you were annoyed."
+
+"Yet, I was more disappointed."
+
+"Yes?" I inflected.
+
+"To have my ideal Captain Smith shattered so completely."
+
+"But when you learned it was your cousin?"
+
+"That saved the ideal."
+
+"But I cannot live up to the Captain."
+
+She shook her head.  "There is no need.  The Captain is dead.  It is my
+cousin Armand now."
+
+"But every woman has her ideal," I ventured.
+
+"Yes, I shall have to find a new one."
+
+"Then it's only exit the Captain to enter a stranger," I said.
+
+"Not necessarily a stranger," she returned.
+
+"To be sure," I agreed; "there is His Royal Highness, the Duke of
+Lotzen."
+
+"Or Casimir of Titia," she added, drawing down her mouth.  "Or even my
+new-found cousin Armand."
+
+"He died with the Captain," I laughed.
+
+"No, the Captain died with him."
+
+"I think, as a matter of proper precaution, it would be well to go in,"
+I said.
+
+"Are you tired of me, so soon?"
+
+"You know very well it's because I'm fearful of disgracing the Captain
+again."
+
+"Please don't," she said smilingly, "here comes a friend of yours."
+
+It was Courtney with Lady Helen on his arm.
+
+"Two friends of mine," I said, as they passed.
+
+"You know Lady Helen Radnor?"
+
+"After a fashion.  I was stationed in Washington while Lord Radnor was
+Ambassador there."
+
+"You two would suit each other."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"You both are--shall I say it--flirts."
+
+I began to disclaim.
+
+"Nonsense!" she cut in.  "Don't you think a woman knows another
+woman--and also a man?"
+
+"By your leave, cousin, I'll not think," I said.
+
+"It's a bit unnecessary sometimes," she laughed.
+
+I made no reply.  In truth, I knew none.  But the Princess did not seem
+to notice it.  She was plucking at the roses again.
+
+"I wish I might flirt," she broke out suddenly.
+
+I grasped the marble rail for support.
+
+"Don't look so surprised," she laughed, "I'll not try it--I know what
+is permitted me."
+
+"Then you never flirted?" I asked with assumed seriousness.
+
+"No; that's another penalty of birth.  With whom may the Princess Royal
+flirt?"
+
+I waved my hand toward the ball room.
+
+"I hope I am neither cruel nor indiscreet," she said, rather curtly.
+
+"But there are many royal guests come to Dornlitz," I ventured.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "They all bore me."
+
+"Which only makes them the better material to practice on."
+
+"Surely, I am very innocent," she said.  "I thought at least a bit of
+sentiment was required."
+
+"Sentiment only endangers the game," I explained.
+
+"But suppose the sentiment were to come suddenly--in the midst of the
+'game,' as you call it?"
+
+"Then," said I, "there is rare trouble ahead for the other party."
+
+"But if that one also were to become--you know," she went on.
+
+"There's an end to the flirtation; it's a different kind of game then."
+
+"Are you quite sure there can be flirtation without sentiment?" she
+persisted.
+
+"It's the only artistic sort; and the only safe sort, too," I answered
+sagely.
+
+"And is it a pleasant game to play for a while in that fashion?" she
+asked.
+
+"Doubtless," I answered evasively; "only it is rarely done."
+
+She went back to the roses again.  "I think, cousin, I shall flirt with
+you," she said suddenly.
+
+I took a fresh hold on the railing.  I was surprised.
+
+But I was more troubled; for I was quite sure she meant it.
+
+"Don't you think, Princess, you are putting me to a heavy test?" I
+objected.  "I may cease to be artistic."
+
+"You said it could be done."
+
+"Yes, as a general----"
+
+"Then your test is no heavier than mine," she interrupted.
+
+I bowed.  So, this was her punishment for the kiss of salutation.
+
+"But if I were to fail to carry the game through properly?" I said.
+
+She hesitated.  "I may fail, too," she said.
+
+"And then?" I asked.
+
+She looked away.  "It would make no difference in the ending.  You
+would go away; and I--would make some crazy marriage of political
+expediency."
+
+I straightened up.  Maybe she had not been maliciously leading me out.
+Maybe she was simply unhappy and wanting a new sensation.  Then,
+suddenly, she put her hand on my arm.
+
+"Come, Armand," she said; "take me back to the King.  We have flirted
+enough for one evening."
+
+"We?" I said wonderingly.
+
+She took a rose from her gown--and drew it through my sword belt.
+
+"Yes," she said; and gave me one of those bewildering smiles.
+"Wouldn't you call it that?  At least, you have taught me to-night all
+I know of the game."
+
+"And how about six years ago, cousin?" I said, securing her hand.
+
+She looked down demurely.  "Well, maybe I did learn a little that day,"
+she admitted.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
+
+The second morning after the ball I arose early--in fact, just as the
+bugles of the garrison were sounding reveille--and went for a horseback
+ride into the country.  Though I knew about all the roads in the
+vicinity, I confess it never occurred to me to take any but that which
+led toward the Summer Palace and the place where I had first met the
+Princess.
+
+It may be some will scoff at this, but I venture that by far the
+majority will deem it only natural.  For myself I may further admit
+that I ordered my horse the night before for no other purpose; and I
+have no excuse to offer.  From all of which it may be inferred that I,
+at least, was scarcely likely to be artistic long in a certain
+flirtation.
+
+I had thought it all over during the last thirty-six hours, and, as I
+jogged through the streets, I went over with it again--and always with
+the same result: I would enjoy it while it lasted.  Afterward--well,
+afterward would be time enough when it came.  So I shrugged my
+shoulders and returned the salute of the officer at the gate and rode
+out into the open country.
+
+I had gone, possibly, a mile when there came the beat of running hoofs
+behind me and rapidly nearing.  Thinking it might be a messenger from
+the Embassy I swung around in saddle--only to find the front horse was
+ridden by a woman and the other by a groom.
+
+My first thought was: "The Princess!" my next: "By Jove, she rides
+well!"  Then something familiar in seat and figure struck me and I
+recognized Lady Helen Radnor.  Evidently she had already made me out,
+for she waved her crop and pulled down to a canter.  Here was an end to
+my solitary ride; I turned back to meet her.
+
+"Why, Major Dalberg, what luck!" she cried.  "One might imagine we were
+in Washington again."
+
+"What need for Washington," said I, "since we are here?"
+
+"True!  It's always the people that make the place," she laughed.
+
+"Then you like Dornlitz as well as Washington?"
+
+"Yes, lately."
+
+"If I were at all conceited I would guess that 'lately' meant----"
+
+"Yes?" she asked.
+
+"But as I'm not conceited I won't guess."
+
+"I'm afraid it's not quite the same, then, as in Washington!"
+
+I made no reply.
+
+"There, you would have been ready to believe I followed you
+intentionally."
+
+"Did you ever do that?" I asked.
+
+She laughed.  "We are quits now."
+
+"Then I may ride with you?"
+
+"Surely--why do you think I overtook you?"
+
+I bowed to my horse's neck.  "I am flattered," I said.
+
+"You ought to be, sir."
+
+I looked at her quickly.  It was said, it seemed to me, a bit sharply;
+but she gave me only the usual mocking smile.
+
+"Where shall we go?" I asked.
+
+"You have no choice?"
+
+"None--all roads are alike delightful now.  Besides, you forget I came
+here only two days ago; this is my first ride since then."
+
+"Then, suppose we go out by the Forge and around by the hill road above
+the Palace?"
+
+"You must be the guide," I replied.
+
+"Come along, then; we turn to the right here."
+
+"Only"----I began.
+
+"Oh!  I'll have you back in time for breakfast," she cut in.  "That was
+what you meant?"
+
+"Your Ladyship is a mind reader."
+
+"Nonsense!  I'm human enough to have an appetite, too."
+
+"Perhaps there is an inn on the way," I suggested.  (There was none six
+years ago.)
+
+She shook her head.  "There's nothing to eat before Dornlitz, if we go
+that route."
+
+"Some day we must find one that has a breakfast on it," said I.
+
+"There are several; I know them well," she said.
+
+"Good; and you will take me to them?"
+
+"It will be jolly."
+
+"I am very lucky to have you in Dornlitz," I said gratefully.
+
+She smiled sweetly.  "Maybe I'm lucky, too," she said.
+
+It brought me up with a jerk.  It was folly to be serious with her--she
+was only bantering as usual.
+
+"It's none of my affair, of course," I said with assumed sadness, "but
+I would like to know how many poor devils have gone down before that
+smile in the last six years."
+
+"You mean?"
+
+"That you're the most consummate coquette I know."
+
+"Is that a compliment?" she asked.
+
+"That depends."
+
+"Upon what?"
+
+"Upon the way you use your power."
+
+She hesitated a moment.  "Have I ever used it improperly to your
+knowledge?" she asked.
+
+I dodged the question.  "You admit the power, then?"
+
+"I admit nothing, except that I do not like to be called a coquette."
+
+I saw she was in earnest here; there was almost a choke in her voice.
+
+"But I would not have you otherwise," I objected.
+
+She shook her bead.  "You say that only because you think you hurt me."
+
+"Don't you know your bright and happy disposition is a thing beyond
+price?" I argued.
+
+"I know its price is heavy--I have paid it to you just now--I am paying
+it every day of my life."  There were tears in the voice.
+
+I was at a loss what to say.  A man is an awkward comforter at best,
+and when he is guilty of bringing on the trouble, he is sure only to
+make a worse mess of it.  So I held my tongue and we rode a while in
+silence.
+
+She spoke first.  "I know you are quite justified in your notion of
+me," she said.  "I have given you every reason to call me coquette,
+flirt, or anything of that sort."
+
+I raised my hand in protest.
+
+"No, let me finish," she went on.  "I have only myself to blame for it.
+I was warned against you before I ever saw you; and, so, I tried to
+play your own game from the start."  (I hope I had the grace to blush;
+I think I had.)  "But the other night, somehow, the game got too fast
+for me--and I--well, I bungled.  But whether you believe me or not,
+Major Dalberg, I want to say, as a solace to myself, at least, that you
+are the only man who ever kissed my face."
+
+I have smelled considerable powder in active service, and I think I may
+say I have a fair amount of courage, but it had all oozed away before
+the grieving tones and melting eyes of beauty in distress; and in
+another moment I should have cut and run like the rankest coward.  For,
+what would you?  A handsome woman (none I had ever seen, not even the
+Princess, surpassed her) almost in tears beside you--and all because of
+your own clumsy tongue and heavy sense.
+
+I opened my mouth to speak; but the words did not come.  In truth, my
+brain would not act.  I was vacant of ideas.  And so she waited; while
+our horses walked with heads together, friendly as old stable chums.
+Then I found my tongue.
+
+"My dear Lady Helen," I said, "I owe you an apology for what I did that
+night."
+
+"You owe me nothing," she broke in.  "You know perfectly well that when
+a woman is kissed in that way she has only herself to blame."
+
+"But it takes two to make a bargain," I insisted; "and it was I who did
+it."
+
+"Tell me," she demanded, "tell me honestly; you didn't imagine I would
+be angry?--you felt perfectly easy about it at the time?"
+
+I bungled again, of course: I hesitated.
+
+She laughed scornfully.  "You have answered me, Major Dalberg."
+
+"No," said I, "I have not.  You were angry at the instant, though you
+chose to act otherwise.  I thought so, then; I am sure of it now."
+
+A feeble smile touched her lips.  "Confess, that you then thought the
+anger only assumed."
+
+"Didn't you act deliberately to make me think so?"
+
+"After you had kissed me," she said, half defiantly, "what mattered it
+if I played it on to the end?"
+
+"And you did it beautifully," I agreed.
+
+"So beautifully that you intimated I proposed playing it all over again
+with your friend Courtney."
+
+"You wrong me there," I objected.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"I was annoyed at your going off with him."
+
+She turned and looked me in the eyes.  "You might, at least, spare me
+the discourtesy of flippancy," she said.
+
+"But I am serious, I assure you," I insisted.
+
+She smiled incredulously.  "I am so sorry to have bored you, Major
+Dalberg----"
+
+"But you don't understand----" I protested.
+
+"Please let us drop the subject," she interrupted.  "Don't you think
+that a pretty view?" and she pointed with her crop to a mite of a lake
+below us, flashing through the trees.
+
+I hope I did not show in my face how willing I was to change the
+subject; and I know I tried to keep it out of my voice.  But I fear I
+grew altogether too enthusiastic over the bit of scenery for,
+presently, Lady Helen remarked dryly:
+
+"One would never imagine you a lover of--nature."
+
+I pulled myself up sharply.  "Are my looks so much against me?"
+
+"I don't see that looks have anything to do with it.  I mean one does
+not associate such tastes with professional soldiers.  Nature, to them,
+would normally represent only obstacles to overcome or advantages to be
+utilized."
+
+"But men do not look at everything through their professional eyes," I
+laughed.  "If they did, every lawyer when he saw you would have but the
+one thought: 'What a glorious plaintiff for a breach of promise case.'"
+
+"I suppose you think that complimentary," she said.
+
+"It was not so intended."
+
+"I trust not."
+
+"I used it only to illustrate the proposition."
+
+"Are you trying to make me quarrel with you?" she demanded.
+
+"Surely not."
+
+"Then let us avoid the personal."
+
+"I will do anything to preserve the peace," I said--"and be shown those
+other rides."
+
+"The peace depends entirely upon yourself."
+
+"And the rides?"
+
+She studied her gloves a bit.  "They depend upon your good behavior
+and--the future."  And now, something of the old sweetness was in her
+smile.
+
+"Then the rides are sure," I said.  "Come, let us give the horses a
+chance to stretch themselves."
+
+We pulled up at the Old Forge; a smithy long deserted and now almost
+hidden beneath vines and undergrowth.  It lay at the crossways of two
+roads--like a log on a saw-buck--and our route was around it to the
+left.  Just beside the track a spring bubbled out into a wide rock
+basin.  At the basin a tall bay horse was drinking; and in the saddle,
+with hands clasped around the pommel, sat the Princess Dehra, so deep
+in thought she did not note our approach.
+
+It was the horse who aroused her by the nervous upward fling of his
+head.  Then she held out her hand to Lady Helen--and gave me a smile.
+
+"I am not the only one, then, who likes the early morning?" she said.
+
+"It's the cream of the day," said Lady Helen.
+
+"Rather the champagne of the day," the Princess answered.  Then she
+laughed.  "I forgot, Major Dalberg, it isn't well to take champagne
+before breakfast."
+
+"I prefer coffee, I admit," said I.
+
+"Are you two going anywhere in particular?" she asked.
+
+"Straight back to town," said Lady Helen; "don't you see Major Dalberg
+wants his breakfast?"
+
+"And your Ladyship?" the Princess questioned.
+
+Lady Helen laughed.  "I am very human, too, I fear."
+
+"Then, why not breakfast with me at the Summer Palace?" said Dehra.
+
+"We shall be delighted," said Lady Helen, without even questioning me
+by a glance.
+
+"Your Royal Highness is too gracious," I protested.  "I fear I
+shall----"
+
+Dehra raised her crop.  "There is only one shaft, sir; you shall come
+with us."
+
+So I went; even while my better judgment bade me turn bridle and gallop
+away.  A man is very helpless with one pretty woman; he is utterly at
+the mercy of two.
+
+Presently we passed the place where the Princess and I had met six
+years before.  I glanced across and found her eyes on me.  I nodded
+toward the spot where I had removed the stone from the mare's hoof, and
+she nodded back in answer.
+
+"This is a very charming road," I said.
+
+"It's a favorite with Your Highness, is it not?" asked Lady Helen.  "I
+have often met you on it."
+
+I affected to be interested in something beside the track.
+
+"Yes, I believe it is," Dehra answered carelessly.  "It is soft for the
+horse and little travelled and I enjoy the quiet of the forest."  Then
+she deliberately turned and smiled at me.  And Lady Helen saw it.
+
+At the top of the hill above the Palace the way narrowed and I fell
+behind; and, dismounting, I affected to be fixing something about the
+girth.  I wanted to see the Princess go down that tree-lined way as
+once before I had seen her.  Then they came to the bend; and, leaning
+against my horse's shoulder, I waited.  Would she remember?
+
+Suddenly, she turned and waved her hand, exactly as she had done that
+other time; only, this time, it was a beckon to follow, not a farewell.
+I sprang to saddle and dashed ahead, almost fearing to find her
+vanished and it only a dream.  When I rounded the corner, the Princess
+and Lady Helen were turning into the drive that led from the road to
+the Palace; and, once again, Dehra waved me onward.
+
+They awaited me at the gate; and, with the guard standing at attention,
+we rode into the grounds.  I noticed that the Princess acknowledged the
+salute with her crop as though it were a sword.  I had returned it with
+my hand.
+
+"Your way is the correct one," she said.
+
+"But yours is much the prettier," I answered.
+
+"Maybe that's why I used it," she laughed.
+
+"It is sufficient justification," I assured her.
+
+"His Majesty does not think so--he insists that the Colonel of the Blue
+Guards should conform to the regulations."
+
+"I salute my superior officer," I said, and used my crop as she had
+done.
+
+"How delightful to be a Colonel," said Lady Helen.  "I would wear the
+uniform all the time--if it were becoming."
+
+"How could it be otherwise?" I exclaimed.
+
+"No sarcasm, sir," she said sharply.
+
+"No, Major Dalberg, no sarcasm," Dehra cautioned, "or you will be
+asking, presently, if I won my commission on the field of battle."
+
+"I would rather not imagine you on the field of battle," I answered.
+
+"Well, you needn't," she laughed.  "It's an infliction of birth.  It
+belongs to the eldest child of the King without regard to sex."
+
+"It's a pity, in your case, the crown does not follow the Colonelcy," I
+thought--but I did not say it.
+
+At one of the private entrances we drew up.  The Princess was out of
+saddle as quickly as myself; but the Lady Helen waited.
+
+"If you don't want to stay I can contrive some excuse," she whispered,
+as I lifted her down.
+
+"I'm quite willing to risk a royal breakfast if you are," I answered.
+
+"Brave man," she mocked, gathering up her skirt; "you wouldn't flinch
+at leading a forlorn hope."
+
+"Watch me follow one," I retorted, as I brought up the rear.
+
+"Which one?" she asked over her shoulder; but I did not answer.
+
+The breakfast was served in a charming little room--which I assumed to
+be a portion of the Princess' private suite--and was of the sort to
+provoke more early morning rides along the Old Forge Road.
+
+"This may be a bit unconventional," said Dehra, addressing Lady Helen,
+rather than me, "but, if the English Ambassador can stand it, I will
+answer for the King of Valeria."
+
+"And I'll answer for the American Ambassador," I volunteered.
+
+"Then the others don't matter," Lady Helen laughed.
+
+"You surely have relieved us very much, Major Dalberg," the Princess
+added.  "Lady Helen and I have been so concerned for your reputation;
+you risk so much, you know, in breakfasting alone with two unmarried
+young women."
+
+"I'm quite sensible of my danger," I answered, and looked blandly from
+one to the other.
+
+The Princess kept her eyes on her plate; but Lady Helen gazed at me in
+some surprise.
+
+"If you're not better behaved, sir, I'll take you away at once," she
+said.
+
+"You're only putting a premium on a continuance of it," said Dehra.
+
+"No, I'm not, Your Highness; he hasn't finished his breakfast."
+
+"You're very wise," the Princess laughed.
+
+Lady Helen shook her head.  "You see, I've known Major Dalberg a long
+time," she said.
+
+"Oh! then you had met before the night of the Ball?"
+
+I looked at Dehra wonderingly.  Had she forgotten that I myself had
+told her, on the terrace, how long I had known the Radnors.
+
+"We were old dinner and cotillon partners in Washington," Lady Helen
+explained.  "He was very kind to me there."
+
+"That wasn't a very difficult task, was it, Major Dalberg?" Dehra
+asked, fixing her blue eyes on my face.
+
+"Please, Your Highness--please," exclaimed Lady Helen, holding up her
+hands.
+
+"I think," I replied, "that Lady Helen is, in herself, the best answer
+to Your Highness's question."
+
+Just then there came a step in the corridor and the King stood in the
+doorway.
+
+"Good morning, Lady Helen," he said, taking her fingers and raising
+them to his lips in the beautiful old-fashion; "it is a pleasure to see
+you here again."  Then he bent and kissed Dehra on the forehead, and
+turning to me said, extending his hand: "And, Major Dalberg, you are
+very welcome."
+
+Frederick was monarch of a powerful nation, but he could, if he so
+wished, make those about him forget his crown and see only the
+quiet-mannered gentleman.  With a word of excuse to us he drew the
+Princess aside to a window embrasure.  I turned to Lady Helen.
+
+"So," said I, "you've been here before?"
+
+She smiled.
+
+"And this is not your first breakfast with Her Highness?" I went on.
+
+Another smile.
+
+"And, doubtless, you have often met her at the Old Forge?"
+
+Once again a smile.
+
+"And were engaged to meet her there this morning?"
+
+"You are too discerning, Major," she said, with a shrug.  "You should
+have been a detective."
+
+"Quite right," I agreed.  "I am always the last to detect a plot or to
+find the criminal."
+
+She looked at me through half-closed eyes.
+
+"Which means?"
+
+I gave her back a look in kind.  "Whatever you would."
+
+She toyed with her rings a bit.  "Why should I deliberately bring you
+and the Princess together?" she demanded.
+
+"Why, indeed?" said I.
+
+"You are of the Blood:--the Palace is open to you."
+
+I raised my hand sharply in warning.
+
+She glanced over my shoulder, toward the window, with a derisive smile.
+"True, the Princess might wonder how I knew."
+
+I made no answer.
+
+"And the explanation would be a trifle difficult," she appended.
+
+"Do you think she would ask an explanation?" I inquired.
+
+She smiled.  "No; you would have to volunteer it."
+
+"That would be easy," I said indifferently.
+
+"Surely!  Surely! it would be easy to tell the Princess Royal that you
+were so confidential with Lady Helen Radnor, on the terrace at the
+Birthday Ball, that you told her the secret of your cousinship--try it,
+Major Dalberg, try it--it will be so easy," and she laughed softly.
+
+"I rather think I shall," said I, looking her in the eye.  "I prefer
+that she hear it from me."
+
+Her mood changed instantly.  "You don't trust me?" she said.
+
+I leaned forward and said.  "I trust you entirely; surely, you know
+that!"
+
+"And you will believe I had no appointment to meet the Princess?"
+
+"If you wish it," I said.
+
+Then the King and the Princess returned to the table.
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+THE LAWS OF THE DALBERGS
+
+"Are you in haste to return?" the King asked Lady Helen.
+
+"None whatever, sire," she replied.
+
+"And you, Major Dalberg?" he asked.
+
+"I am at Your Majesty's service," said I, bowing.
+
+"Then, if the ladies will excuse you for a short while?"
+
+"Don't make it too short, sire," said Lady Helen--and then the door
+closed and saved me a reply; which, doubtless, was as well, for I have
+not yet thought of a good one.
+
+"Bright girl, that," said the King.
+
+"Yes," said I, "embarrassingly bright at times."
+
+"Was she in Washington with Radnor?"
+
+"Yes; I knew her there."
+
+"Then you don't need to be warned."
+
+I was silent.
+
+"She has incapacitated half my military household with lacerated hearts
+or, indirectly, with punctured bodies; there is small difference."
+
+"Better have only married officers," I suggested.
+
+"Lord, sir, they are the first victims.  Immunes are what I want."
+
+"Like myself, for instance," said I.
+
+He turned and put his hand on my shoulder.  "I've had plenty like you,
+lad," he said kindly.
+
+I laughed.  "Then I may not hope for a place at Court?" I asked--and
+straightway wondered why I had asked it.
+
+We had just come to a small door, before which paced a soldier of the
+Guard, and the King made no reply until we were in his private library
+and he had motioned me to a chair and an assortment of pipes and cigars.
+
+"It was something of that sort that I want to discuss with you, if I
+may," he said.
+
+"If you may?" I echoed.
+
+He nodded.  "You are a subject of the United States and a representative
+of its government at my Court."
+
+"I had forgotten their significance," I admitted.
+
+"But, with your permission, we can lay aside our officialism and hold a
+family conference."
+
+The idea of my holding a family conference with the King of Valeria!  I
+smiled involuntarily; and Frederick saw it.
+
+"Don't you feel quite at home in the family, yet, my lad?" he asked.
+
+"It is not Your Majesty's fault if I don't," said I; "but royalty is a
+bit new and strange to me."
+
+He laughed heartily.  "You are quite too modest, Armand.  You spoke of a
+place at Court; would you accept one?"
+
+"Surely, sire, you knew I was only jesting!" I exclaimed.
+
+"Of course," said he; "but I'm not.  I am entirely serious."
+
+"I suppose," said I, "I'm as ambitious as most men."
+
+"A little more so, if you're a good Dalberg," the King interjected.
+
+"But am I a good Dalberg?"
+
+He waved his hand toward a mirror in the wall.  "Use your eyes," he said.
+
+"I don't mean physically," I objected.
+
+"I am very willing to trust Nature.  She didn't give you old Henry's body
+and then mock it with inferior abilities."
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"Besides," he went on, "I admit I have had a report on you from my
+Ambassador at Washington."
+
+"I trust," said I, with a laugh, "it has left me a few shreds of repute."
+
+"It didn't hurt you much, my lad."
+
+That was the third time he had called me his "lad."
+
+"Your Majesty then offers me a title and a place at Court?"
+
+The King smiled.  "Yes," said he; "a high title and a high place."
+
+I pulled on my cigar and tried to think.  But, on every cloud of smoke, I
+seemed to see the Princess; and all my brain knew was the single idea:
+"It will bring me within reach of her."  I got up sharply and paced the
+room, until I threw off the foolish notion and could look at the matter
+in its true proportions.
+
+"Tell me, Your Majesty," I said, "if I accept, will I be regarded as a
+legitimate descendant of the House of Dalberg or as of a morganatic
+marriage?"
+
+The King nodded.  "I had anticipated that would be your first question.
+You will be legitimate."
+
+"But," said I, "if I understand the canons of royalty, my
+great-grandfather having married one not of royal rank his descendants
+are, as regards the House of Valeria, illegitimate."
+
+"As a general proposition that is true; but it happens that your case is
+a peculiar exception."
+
+"I am glad," said I; "otherwise we had reached an end of the matter."
+
+"That, Major, is one of your American notions," said the King; "there is
+no disgrace in morganatic marriages."
+
+"It's all a question of national taste," said I; "and you know, sire,
+'_de gustibus non_'----"
+
+He drummed with his fingers a moment on the table.
+
+"I have some unhandy views, possibly," said I.
+
+"Oh, you will soon outgrow them," he returned; "only, it may be a trifle
+awkward if you parade them."
+
+"But, maybe, I shall not care to outgrow them." I objected.  "And, then,
+there is another notion--American, too, doubtless--which I fear will be a
+final bar."
+
+"Nonsense, Armand," said the King, a bit sharply.  "What other objection
+can even an American raise?"
+
+"This, sire," said I: "When Hugo left Dornlitz his estates were
+forfeited, his titles were revoked and his name was stricken from the
+family roll.  How can he now, after a century and a quarter, be
+rehabilitated?"
+
+"The King, as Head of our House, has full power."
+
+"Yes, I know; his power in the family is limitless, save that he may not
+change the succession to the Crown in favor of a female--more's the pity.
+But, while Your Majesty may make me a Duke, or even a Prince, yet that
+will not give back to Hugo the rights he was deprived of by his arbitrary
+father."
+
+The King smiled indulgently.  "For an American you have a large fund of
+sentiment."
+
+"That is the Dalberg in me, doubtless," I replied.
+
+"Then, sir.  I understand that--because your great-grandfather didn't
+live for one hundred and forty years and so be able now to receive, in
+the flesh, the edict of restoration--you, his eldest male heir, refuse to
+accept your rights; the rights that come to you through him?"
+
+"No, that's not exactly it; it's this: For Your Majesty, now, to restore
+me to the Family Roll, can be done only upon the hypothesis that all of
+Hugo's descendants have been debruised by the bar sinister--the very act
+of restoration presupposes such disqualification."
+
+"You forget I said you were legitimate," said the King.
+
+"By your grace; not by old Henry's," I objected.
+
+"But, recall that Hugo himself was offered his titles and rights by his
+brother and that he declined them."
+
+"Yes; that is just the point," said I: "he declined them."
+
+Frederick took a fresh cigar and lit it carefully, blowing the smoke in
+tiny rings to the ceiling.
+
+"I think I understand now," he said.  "You will decline our offer because
+it necessitates the restoration now, of Hugo's descendants, to the Family
+Roll?"
+
+I bowed in silence.
+
+"It's a great pity," he said, sadly.  "Otherwise, if Hugo had, in effect,
+never been disinherited and if the legitimacy of his descendants had been
+specifically preserved by Royal Decree, you would accept our offer?"
+
+"Yes," said I--"or, at least, I would give it serious consideration," I
+added with a laugh.
+
+The King turned slowly and, for a space, kept his eyes fixed steadily on
+my face, as though searching there for an answer to something about which
+his mind was undecided.  Have you ever had a monarch or one high in
+authority look at you so?  If you have, you are likely to remember it
+many days.
+
+Then he arose abruptly and, crossing to a large vault built in a far
+corner, returned with a heavy black box curiously bound with brass and
+inlaid with silver.  Placing it on the table between us, he took from his
+watch chain a small antique key and pushing it, with a queer side-motion,
+into the lock, it opened with a sharp snap, and he threw back the lid.
+
+"I wonder," said he, as he lifted out a thick leather-covered book with
+heavy metal hinges, "if there are many Americans whom it would be so
+difficult to persuade to accept a royal title?"
+
+"I fancy it would be much the same with all the truly representative old
+American families," said I.
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Then, for the credit of America, it's a pity
+Europe does not know some of those same old families; if they are the
+Country's true Nobility."
+
+"Yes, but not Nobility on European lines," said I.  "They are the
+_worthy_ descendants of those who founded the Nation; and the proudest
+patent is a commission from King or Colony or from the Continental
+Congress in the Revolution."
+
+The King smiled.  "Isn't that every Nation's Nobility--the descendants of
+the officers who helped their chief to establish a kingdom?"
+
+"It may be so," I answered; "but the systems are wide apart.  You will
+observe, I said the _worthy_ descendants.  In America it needs manhood as
+well as birthright--gentle living as well as gentle blood."
+
+"While with us it needs only gentle blood, you mean?" said Frederick,
+good naturedly.  "Well, we shall not argue over the matter; and,
+particularly, since the Dalbergs have no fault to find with their
+representative among the American Nobility; it's rather he who is ashamed
+of his Valerian relatives."
+
+"I am quite satisfied with the two I've met," I protested.
+
+"So well, indeed, with one of them that you kissed her instantly," the
+King laughed.
+
+"And am glad, now, I did it.  I shall never have another chance."
+
+He shot a quick glance at me, as he opened the book and began to turn the
+heavy parchment pages, which I could see were illumined in beautiful
+colors and with strange, large lettering.  Presently, these ended and the
+characters seemed to be in ancient script, which, gradually grew more
+modern.  At one of these later pages, the King stopped and addressed me:
+
+"You have said that, unless Hugo's rights and the Dalberg legitimacy of
+his descendants were preserved, by special Decree, made during Hugo's
+life, you would decline to return to Court."  He paused a moment, then
+went on: "It would almost seem that old Henry had some presentiment of a
+certain stubborn-minded grandchild, for he provided for just such a
+condition as you have made.  This book is the Laws of the House of
+Dalberg.  Listen to what is written touching Hugo, son of Henry the
+Third."
+
+Instinctively, I arose and stood at attention.
+
+The King read:
+
+
+"Section one-hundred twenty-first--For inasmuch as our second son, Hugo,
+hath, in defiance of our specific prohibition, this day left our Kingdom
+and gone over Sea to the North American Colonies of Great Britain, there
+to join the forces of one, George Washington, who is leading a revolt
+against his lawful sovereign, the King of England, with whom I am at
+peace; It is hereby decreed that the said Hugo shall forfeit all titles
+and emoluments heretofore conferred, and his name is hereby stricken from
+the Family Roll.  From this day he ceaseth to be a Dalberg of Valeria.
+
+"HENRY III, Rex.
+
+"Ye 17th October, A.D., 1777."
+
+
+Frederick glanced up.  "That was the judgment," said he.  "Listen, now,
+to the pardon:--
+
+
+"Section one-hundred twenty-fifth--Whereas, we have learned that our
+second son, Hugo, hath served with much honour in the American Army under
+General Washington, and hath, since the termination of hostilities,
+married into a good family in one of the said American States, called
+Maryland, and hath assumed residence therein; and whereas he hath never
+sought aid from us nor sued for pardon; Now, therefore, in recognition of
+his valour and self-reliance and true Dalberg independence, it is decreed
+that Section one-hundred twenty-one, supra, be annulled; and Hugo's name
+is hereby reinstated on the Family Roll in its proper place, the same as
+though never stricken therefrom.  And it is further decreed that the
+marriage of Hugo and the marriages of his descendants shall be deemed
+valid and lawful, the same as though their respective consorts were of
+the Blood Royal."
+
+
+"Is that sufficiently definite, sir?" the King asked.
+
+"It is very extraordinary," I said, in wonder.
+
+"There is a bit more," he said, and resumed reading:
+
+
+"The titles conferred upon Hugo shall, however, remain in abeyance until
+claimed anew by him or by his right heir male; nor shall the latter be
+eligible to the Crown unless hereinafter specifically decreed so to
+be--or, in event of a vacancy in the royal dignity without such decree
+having been so made, then, by special Act of the House of Nobles.
+
+"HENRY III., Rex,
+
+"Ye 7th September, A.D. 1785."
+
+
+The King closed the book.  "That," said he, "is the record," and motioned
+me to sit down.
+
+I obeyed mechanically.  Through my head was ringing those last few words
+that made possible the Crown of my ancestors.  Under the Decree I was, de
+jure, the eldest male after the King; it needed only his act to make me
+his successor.  A single line, sealed with his seal, in that big book
+just beside me, and plain Armand Dalberg, Major in the Army of the United
+States of America, would be Heir Presumptive to one of the great Kingdoms
+of Earth.  And Dehra!  I could get no further.  Crown and Kingdom faded
+and I saw only a woman's face.----
+
+Then the King coughed, and I came sharply back to life, and visions fled.
+But, even then, realities seemed almost visions, still.
+
+I turned to the King.  "Will Your Majesty permit me a few days to
+consider the matter?" I asked.
+
+"As many as you wish, my boy," he said kindly.
+
+"It is all so extraordinary.  I am in no condition to look at it with
+even reasonable judgment."
+
+"I think," said he, "I can quite understand."
+
+"But there is something I can foresee, even now," said I.
+
+The King smiled.  "Trouble?"
+
+"Yes, trouble in plenty."
+
+"But if the price be worth it all?" he asked, studying a smoke ring as it
+floated lazily upward.
+
+"The trouble does not bother me."
+
+"Oh!" said he, "I know that."
+
+"Then, may I ask," said I, "if the Duke of Lotzen knows of these Decrees?"
+
+"The Heir Presumptive is always made acquainted with the Laws of his
+House."
+
+"What, think you, then, Sire, would be his attitude in such an anomalous
+situation as would follow my presence in Valeria as Hugo's heir?"
+
+"You mean, how would he view a rival for the Crown?"
+
+"Well, that's a bit broader than I intended," said I.
+
+The King laughed.  "There is no need for us to mince words--the matter is
+perfectly evident.  Under the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to make
+you eligible to the Crown; and that necessarily would displace Lotzen and
+make you Heir Presumptive.  How do you think he would view it?"
+
+"How would any man view it?" I asked.
+
+"But what have Lotzen's views to do with the matter?" Frederick asked
+sharply.  "I am the King; here are the Laws.  What Dalberg would dispute
+them?"
+
+"But, Your Majesty, Lotzen might not be alone in disputing them--the Army
+and the House of Nobles might join him.  And, assuming that you would
+never intend to displace Lotzen by me, nevertheless, you would be put
+into the embarrassing position of seeming to be coerced by your subjects."
+
+"Coerced!  Coerced!" said Frederick, flinging his cigar savagely into the
+grate.  "Do I hear a Dalberg fear that for his King?"
+
+"Nay, Sire," I protested, "I did not say that."
+
+But the anger had already passed.  "Nonsense, lad, I understand you," he
+said; "only, I know my Kingdom better than you do--yet," and he laughed.
+
+But I protested again.  "Would it not be wiser for me to consider the
+question only upon the hypothesis that Lotzen shall not be
+displaced----?"
+
+"Don't be a fool, Armand," Frederick cut in.  "Of course, I cannot
+prevent your renouncing all right to the Crown, but it will be most
+displeasing to me and against my express wish."
+
+"Your Majesty is very flattering."
+
+"His Majesty is very selfish.  Since he has no son, he wants the
+privilege of choosing his successor."
+
+So he meant to give me a chance to win the Crown!  I shut my eyes; there
+was too much satisfaction in them.  Yet, I felt almost ashamed.  I had
+sneered so often at Courtney and his suggestions; had called him a fool
+and his words nonsense--even a short half hour ago I would have done the
+same again.  And now!--Truly there was something strangely impressive and
+powerfully alluring about that big, brass-bound book, with its Royal
+restitution and honors and the glorious opportunity extended.  Would any
+man--nay, would any half-man refuse?
+
+Then I opened my eyes and met the King's kindly smile.
+
+"Did the prospect blind you?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," said I, "it did--maybe my eyes are too weak ever to bear the
+bright light of royalty."
+
+"Never fear, lad, never fear; they will soon strengthen.  Ask Courtney,
+if you care to make him a confidant.  I am very sure of his advice in the
+matter."
+
+"So am I," said I.
+
+"Any man's would be the same--your own to one in a similar position."
+
+I could not deny it; but I would make no decision under the present
+influences.  I must have a season of calm thought and careful judgment.
+
+The King waited a moment.  "Well, take your own good pleasure, Armand,"
+said he; "only, the sooner you come to Court the less time you will
+waste."
+
+Of course, I saw his meaning.  "I shall ask but one day, at the most."
+
+"Good," said he.  "This is Friday--dine with Dehra and me here to-morrow
+evening.  Come by the private entrance."
+
+Then we went back to the Princess and Lady Helen.  But what a different
+life had opened to me in the short absence.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+THE DECISION
+
+I was sitting alone in the library late that night when Courtney came
+in.  He had been to some function at the French Embassy, from which I
+had begged off, and seemed surprised to see me.
+
+"Taps are a bit late to-night," he remarked, pouring a measure of
+Scotch and shooting in the soda.
+
+"I've been thinking," I answered.
+
+"For Heaven's sake.  Major," he began--then put down his glass and
+looked at me curiously.
+
+"You were about to say?" I questioned.
+
+He glanced at the clock.  "When a man of your age sits up thinking
+until two in the morning it is either financial trouble or love."
+
+"My finances are all right," I volunteered.
+
+"Ergo," said he, and began to sip his Scotch.
+
+"And I'm not----" then I stopped--"in the marrying class, you know," I
+ended.
+
+"It's a pity to have such excellent raw material go to waste," he
+commented, and smiled.
+
+"The truth is, Courtney, I waited up for you."
+
+He put down his glass again.  "Business?" he inquired, quickly.
+"Anything amiss?"
+
+I shook my head; "It's nothing amiss diplomatically; but it is business
+in a way; only, it's my personal business.  I want your advice."
+
+He looked at me, sharply, an instant.  "Drive on, old man; I'm all
+attention," he said.
+
+"I've been at the Summer Palace," I began.
+
+He nodded.
+
+"And breakfasted with the Princess Royal," I went on.
+
+"Alone!  Be careful, my dear Major," he cautioned.
+
+"Lady Helen Radnor was there; and the King also, for a bit," I
+explained.
+
+"Good," said he; "you are progressing famously."
+
+"Oh, it was all accidental."
+
+He smiled broadly.
+
+"I went for an early morning ride; Lady Helen happened to overtake me;
+we chanced upon the Princess; she asked us to breakfast; and the King
+came in during the meal."
+
+Courtney was studying the point of a paper-cutter.  "Very wonderful,
+indeed," he commented.
+
+"What; the paper-cutter?" I asked, a trifle impatiently.
+
+"No; the series of accidents."
+
+"They are only preliminary."
+
+"Preliminaries are often most important."
+
+"Not here," said I.  "What I want to consult you about is this: The
+King has asked me to accept the titles of old Hugo, and to take my
+place at Court."
+
+Courtney laid the paper-cutter carefully on the blotter, and drawing
+out his cigarette case, he selected one and slowly lit it.  I knew his
+way and waited patiently.
+
+"And Lotzen--and the Crown?" he said presently.
+
+"Do you care for the whole story?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, let me have it all," and, settling back in his chair, he closed
+his eyes and prepared to listen.
+
+Then I told him everything of the meeting with the King in his library,
+repeating, as well as I could remember, Frederick's exact language,
+describing his attitude toward me and his evident desire in the matter.
+
+"That is the situation and the problem," I ended, "and the answer is
+due to-morrow, I am to dine at the Summer Palace."
+
+Courtney sat up and began to polish his eye-glasses.  "I assume you
+have made no decision?" he asked presently.
+
+"If I had," said I, "I would have gone to bed."
+
+He nodded and kept on at the eye-glasses.  At last they seemed to suit
+him, and he shoved them into place and lit another cigarette.
+
+"It seems to me," he said, at length, "the matter is wholly one of
+personal inclination; with no obligation upon you to decide it upon any
+other basis.  Therefore, the first question is simply this: Which do
+you prefer to be--an American officer and citizen or a Valerian
+Archduke?"
+
+"That is just what I don't know," said I.
+
+"Well, would it be any easier to answer if I were to add: 'With a
+chance for the Crown'?"
+
+"That complicates it even more, I think."
+
+He looked at me hard for a moment.  I knew he was thinking of the
+Princess and I shook my bead.
+
+"Better look at it only on the first proposition," he said: "'an
+American officer or an Archduke.'"
+
+"If I accept," said I, "I shall play for all the stakes."
+
+"Of course," said he, "but you may lose."
+
+"It is more than likely I shall."
+
+"Yet, even if you do, you will still be the Archduke," he argued.
+
+"I think I would not accept it without the other chances," I said.
+
+"Yet you would adventure those very chances without being sure of the
+Archdukeship?" he insisted.
+
+I nodded, and Courtney laughed and fingered his imperial.
+
+"You have lost several hours of sleep to-night, my dear Major, very
+needlessly," he said.  "You know quite well you will accept Frederick's
+offer."
+
+"Do you advise me to accept?" I demanded.
+
+"Do you fancy I would advise you to do anything else?"
+
+"You say that as my best friend?" I persisted.
+
+"I do--and more; I urge it."
+
+"I think I am growing childish," I said, "I can't make a decision; I'm
+afraid of the Dark, as it were."
+
+Courtney nodded.  "That is precisely why I am able to see the matter
+more clearly than you--there is no Dark to make me fearful."
+
+"And my commission and American citizenship?"
+
+Courtney smiled.  "You will have in exchange the Patent of an Archduke
+of Valeria with all its powers and privileges; and, at the very least,
+the commission of General of Brigade in the Valerian Army.  That's a
+trifle more than you are giving up, don't you think?"
+
+I made no answer.
+
+"And then," he went on, "you can throw it all over and come back to us
+if you get tired of your new job."
+
+"I may be glad enough to get back to you and my American commission."
+
+"Bother your commission!  What does a man of your age and position want
+in the hard-working American army?" he exclaimed.
+
+"What does a man of your age and wealth want bothering with diplomacy?"
+I asked.
+
+"Because I enjoy the business, I reckon."
+
+"Just as someone else may enjoy being a Major of Engineers."
+
+"Come," said he; "if that's all that bothers you, I'll engage to put
+you back in our Army any time within two years, if you wish it."
+
+"You are very good, Courtney," I said.  "I fear, however, the War
+Department would not be so gracious."
+
+He snapped his fingers.  "That, for the War Department,'" he said
+contemptuously.
+
+"Besides, I'm too old to learn a new profession," I objected.
+
+"A new profession?" he questioned.
+
+I nodded.  "The profession of being an Archduke."
+
+"If I might judge by the Birthday Ball," he laughed, "you will have
+very little to learn."
+
+"Oh, I'm not bothered about the women; I can manage them all right."
+
+"For the love of Heaven: don't say that so loud," he exclaimed.  "One
+of them might hear you, and then----" and he raised his hands
+expressively.
+
+"We are growing frivolous," said I, "let us go to bed."
+
+He tossed his cigarette into the grate.  "Sometimes it is well to sleep
+over a problem," he said.  He poured two measures of liquor.  "Here's
+to a clear mind and a right decision in the morning."
+
+We drank it standing--and I, at least, with feeling.
+
+I cannot say if a good night's rest had anything to do with it, but,
+when I awoke, my mind was made up, and I was ready to give answer to
+the King.  It chanced that Courtney and I met at breakfast--the
+American customs as to meals prevailed at the Embassy--and had the room
+to ourselves; possibly, because we were very late and the day was very
+charming.
+
+"Well," said he, "I see you've made your decision; which gets it,
+Valeria or America?"
+
+"Behold a prospective Archduke!" said I.
+
+He arose and, hand over heart, bowed low.  "I salute Your Royal
+Highness!" he said.
+
+"Nonsense!" I exclaimed, "don't be ridiculous."
+
+"I am quite serious.  It's an unusual pleasure to have one worth
+saluting."
+
+I waved the compliment aside.  "If it is to terminate my old
+friendships or bring formality into private intercourse I shall remain
+American," I declared.
+
+The diplomat smiled.  "Don't you see it all rests with yourself?  You
+can be as formal or as familiar as you please."
+
+"I can revise my List of Friends, so to speak--drop those I don't care
+for and enter such new ones as I wish?"
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"Well, that much of the new order will be quite to my liking," said I,
+and turned to my mail.
+
+The letters lay face downward, of course, and I opened them in their
+order without bothering to examine the superscription.  Presently, I
+came upon one sealed with a blurred dab of green wax.  Rather curious,
+I turned it over; it was unstamped and was marked: "Personal and
+Important."  I did not know the hand-writing; but, then, Lady Helen
+Radnor's was the only one in all Dornlitz I could have known.
+
+"Here," said I to Courtney, "is a letter marked 'Personal and
+Important'; what is it; an invitation to contribute to the
+professionally destitute?"
+
+"More likely an invitation to some gambling den."
+
+I tossed it over.  "Take a look at it and guess again," I said.
+
+He glanced languidly at the envelope; then picked it up quickly and
+scrutinized it sharply.
+
+"We both are wrong," he said, and he motioned for the servant to return
+it to me.
+
+I knew he had recognized the writing and that it called for more
+respect than a careless fling across the table.  I broke the seal and
+drew out the letter.  It bore the Royal Arms over the word "Dornlitz."
+Beneath, it read:
+
+
+"MY DEAR COUSIN:
+
+"His Majesty has told me of the meeting in the Library this morning.  I
+know I have no right to meddle--but, won't you please accept and come
+back to your own?  The King wants you.  We shall welcome you with all
+our hearts.  Come, Armand!
+
+"DEHRA."
+
+
+I read it slowly a second time--and then a third time--wondering, the
+while, whether I should show it to Courtney.
+
+"You know who wrote this?" I asked.
+
+"I know who wrote the address."
+
+"Then know the note, also," said I, and read it to him.
+
+His face was quite expressionless as I read; but, at the end, he gave
+the faintest nod of approval.  "If that does not hold you to the task,
+you are----" he stopped.  "God, Sir!  You ought to be proud to be her
+cousin," he ended.
+
+I spent the balance of the day arranging the affairs of my office, to
+the end that I could instantly sever all official relations with the
+American Government, and, so assume my new rank with the least possible
+embarrassment to Courtney.  He would, doubtless, find it unfortunate
+enough to have, as a Royal Archduke, one who but lately was his
+Military Attaché, and familiar with much of his policy and purpose.  I
+said as much to him that evening, as we rode toward the Summer Palace,
+but he laughed it off.
+
+"Embarrass me!" he exclaimed.  "I shall be the most envied of the
+Ambassadors; sought after by all the Court for a word to my friend, the
+new Archduke--'that may be King hereafter.'"
+
+"Don't," said I; "it's likely to be quite bad enough without calling on
+Macbeth's Witches."
+
+He leaned over and put his hand on my arm.  "Brace up, old chap," he
+said; "there's no boiling caldron and no witches."
+
+"There are troubles of sorts other than those the caldron brewed," I
+remarked.
+
+We turned a bend in the road.  "And witches of other sorts than those
+of Fores' Heath," he laughed.  "Behold!"
+
+A hundred yards ahead, rode the Princess and Lady Helen Radnor.
+
+"Here's your opportunity, Courtney," I observed.
+
+He stared at me.
+
+"To escort Lady Helen back to town." I explained.
+
+"Thank you," he said, and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Don't be a bear," said I; "most men would be glad enough for the
+chance."
+
+Then we reined aside and saluted.
+
+"Will you join us?" said the Princess.
+
+"We shall be delighted," I said and swung over beside her.
+
+"I don't know what to do with Lady Helen," she whispered hurriedly.
+
+"Courtney will look after her," I volunteered.
+
+But she did not seem to hear.  "I came alone to meet you," she went on,
+"and overtook her on the way."
+
+"You came to meet me?" I asked.
+
+She nodded.  "I fear you will think me very forward, but I--well, I
+wanted to know your decision."
+
+"Have you any doubt of it after the note--and now?"
+
+"Then you will accept?" she exclaimed, so loudly I raised my hand in
+warning.
+
+"Yes," said I.  "I shall accept--are you glad?"
+
+She plucked at her horse's mane and glanced at me covertly; then she
+turned and smiled--one of those overpowering smiles that had clung to
+me through the years.
+
+"Yes, Armand, I am glad.  You are a--dear."
+
+I reined over closer.  "Sometime," I began----
+
+She stopped me.  "A dear _cousin_, I mean," she cut in.
+
+I went back to my side of the road; but I took another smile with me.
+
+Then Lady Helen pressed forward.  "It is growing late, Your Royal
+Highness.  I shall have to turn toward town," she said.
+
+I glanced at Courtney and he nodded that he would ride back with her.
+And the Princess saw and understood; and would not have it so.
+
+"No, my dear Helen," said she, "you and Mr. Courtney and Major Dalberg
+shall dine with His Majesty and me this evening."
+
+"But, Your Highness,"----Lady Helen began.
+
+"But me no buts," said Dehra; "it will be _en famille_; come along."
+
+Courtney gave me an amused smile and shook his head; but, like a good
+courtier, he made no protest.  For my part, I was very glad for his
+company on this particular evening.
+
+We entered the Park by a narrow gate opening on a bridle path leading
+to one of the private doors of the Palace.  As I lifted the Princess
+down, she whispered:
+
+"I think you should see the King at once."
+
+"I am in your hands," I answered.
+
+"The others would scarcely think so," she smiled.
+
+Then I realized I was holding her as tightly as when I had swung her
+out of saddle.  I stepped back with a quick apology.
+
+"Oh, they didn't see it," she said, and ran up the steps.
+
+I smiled.  She, too, like Lady Helen, had not forgotten to look about
+her.  Women, it would seem, are rather prudent at such times.
+
+"Well," said Courtney, a bit later, when we were alone, "this is a
+queer go, sure enough.  What did the Princess mean by bringing Lady
+Helen and me to a family party, and at such a time?"
+
+"I think she meant to be considerate to you and good to me.  She
+thought, doubtless, we might be glad to be in together, at the death,
+so to speak."
+
+"She is very kind," said he; "but, why Lady Helen?"
+
+"It was all a sudden inspiration and she had to take her to get you."
+
+"I suppose the Princess will explain my presence to the King."
+
+"Oh, he will be glad to see you; he counted on your aiding him in this
+matter."
+
+"Then, it's well I didn't fail him--or my usefulness as the American
+Ambassador would be ended."
+
+"Surely, he would not have held that against you?"
+
+Courtney smiled rather grimly.  "Presently, my dear Major, you will
+know a bit more of Courts and Monarchs."
+
+Then the summons came from the King.  Instinctively I held out my hand
+to Courtney.  He gripped it hard.
+
+"Good-bye, old man, and God bless you," he said.
+
+Then I followed the flunkey.
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+
+When I entered the library, Frederick came forward and kissed me on
+both cheeks.
+
+"My dear Armand," he said, "I am pleased beyond expression."
+
+"It's a pity," thought I, "kissing isn't an expression."
+
+"Dehra has told you?" I asked.
+
+He nodded.  "But I felt sure of you--so sure, indeed, I have all these
+ready for you."  He picked up a roll of parchments.  "Here is your
+Patent as an Archduke of Valeria; here are the title deeds to your
+ancestral estates--they have been held as Crown lands since Hugo's
+time; here is your commission as Colonel of the Red Huzzars; and here
+(and this may please you most) is your commission as Lieutenant-General
+in my Army."
+
+I took them mechanically.  There, were the seals, the flowing ribbons,
+the heavy signature of the King.  The sheets rustled and twisted in my
+fingers, curling back and forth like things alive.  I saw them dimly as
+though through a haze; my senses were dulled with sudden wonder and
+emotion.  And, yet, I had thought of it all many times since yesterday;
+Courtney had predicted for me some of these very honors; I, myself, had
+even anticipated them--indeed, they had been the powerful inducement
+for my decision.  And, now, when I had them in my very hands, put there
+by the King himself, I was simply overpowered.  To some scoffer I may
+seem sentimental or childish; and to him I say: "wait until you are in
+similar circumstances."
+
+Presently I got my senses and, I trust, thanked His Majesty in proper
+words.  But he, would have none of it.
+
+"They are yours by right of birth, you have simply come to your own,"
+he said.
+
+"But only by your gracious favor," I protested.
+
+"Then, do me a small return: wear the Huzzar uniform this evening."
+
+I must have looked my surprise.
+
+"We are pretty much of a size and I think mine will fit you," he
+observed.
+
+"It is very little you ask, Sire." I answered.
+
+"Then my valet will squire you," and he rang for the servant.
+
+And it was well he did; for I was not used to fancy uniforms, with
+their peculiar fastenings and adornments, and I might have spent the
+entire evening in solving them.  But Adolph attired me with astonishing
+celerity, and then, swinging a cheval glass before me, he inquired:
+
+"Are you satisfied, sir?"
+
+"You are a wonderful valet, Adolph," I said, ignoring the mirror.
+
+I did not need it to know that I was clad in scarlet and gold, with a
+black, fur-bound dohlman over one shoulder and a tall black busby on my
+head.  I hung the Eagle of the Cincinnati about my neck and went back
+to the King.
+
+He looked me over critically and nodded.  "You'll do, my boy," he said.
+Then he raised the Eagle and examined it.  "It is a great Order," he
+said; "one of the greatest in the world, but a Prince of Valeria must
+wear his country's also," and he pinned the Star of the Lion on my
+tunic.  "And now, come, I want to show you to your cousin."
+
+At the door of the Princess's apartments he waved aside the footman
+and, himself, announced:
+
+"His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Armand!"
+
+It was so unexpected and sounded so queer, withal, that, for a moment,
+I hesitated; then I took a fresh grip on my busby and followed the
+King.  The next instant, I was bending over the Princess's hand and
+listening to her words of welcome and congratulation.  When I turned to
+Lady Helen she curtsied deeply, even as she would have done for one of
+her own Princes.
+
+"God save Your Royal Highness," she said.
+
+And, as I raised her hand and kissed it, I tried, in vain, to read in
+her eyes whether she meant it or was only mocking me.
+
+Then, we went in to dinner--and, here, was a surprise for me, also.
+
+It was the same room we had breakfasted in the previous day, but now,
+upon the wall, fronting us as we entered, hung a full-length portrait
+of an officer in the uniform of the Red Huzzars.  It was the Great
+Henry; but it could just as well have been myself.  Surely, outwardly,
+at least, he was my _alter ego_.
+
+Even Courtney's astonishment pierced his heavy equanimity; and Lady
+Helen stopped sharply and gazed at the painting and, then, at me, and,
+then, at the painting, again, in silent wonder.  For although they both
+knew, generally, of the resemblance, it needed the uniform to bring it
+out in full effect.
+
+"Your Majesty has given us a series of surprises to-night," said
+Courtney.
+
+"It is surely wonderful--almost beyond belief," said Lady Helen.
+
+"Now, you know something of my sensations when I first met him," said
+Frederick, "though, then, I had not the benefit of the Huzzar attire."
+
+"And you, Princess?" asked Lady Helen.
+
+The King laughed aloud; Courtney became absorbed in the picture; I
+tugged at my sword-knot--we all were thinking of the kiss before the
+Ball.  But Dehra, naturally, thought of the meeting in the forest six
+years before.
+
+"It was a long time ago, but I think I did notice the resemblance in a
+casual way," she said.
+
+The King stared at her in surprise; Courtney smiled slightly and
+glanced at me, and Lady Helen's eyes shot from Dehra to me and back
+again in a vain attempt to understand.  Frederick, however, was on the
+point of asking an explanation when the Princess gave him a glance, and
+he instantly dropped the matter and motioned us to our seats.
+
+Mine was on Dehra's right; Courtney's on her left.  Presently, I heard
+the King say to Lady Helen:
+
+"Come, confess you are curious how the American military attaché
+becomes a Valerian Archduke?"
+
+And, through Dehra's talk, I detected the laughing answer, pitched high
+enough to reach me:
+
+"'Curious' is quite too mild a word, Sire."
+
+Then, as the King began the story, she glanced over at me and I nodded
+my thanks.  It would have been a bit awkward, just then, if she had
+shown she already knew my history.  To-morrow it mattered not to me if
+it were known the Kingdom over; aye, and farther, too.  But to-morrow
+was the future; to-night was mine.  I was in favor; a King across the
+table; a beautiful woman beside me.  What more could any man wish?
+
+And, when Dehra whispered: "Do you know, Armand, you are very handsome
+to-night?" I tossed all discretion overboard and made violent love to
+her before them all.  Nor heeded Courtney's warning looks, nor Lady
+Helen's curious glances.  It was Dehra, herself, who brought me up
+sharply, after a space.
+
+"I am afraid, Armand," said she, "if you flirt so strenuously with me
+to-night, you will have no cards left for the balance of our game."
+
+"Our game?" I echoed blankly, forgetting for the moment the compact of
+the Ball.
+
+She smiled.  "You see, you play it better than I ever can.  I don't
+even know enough to forget it is a game."
+
+I turned and looked her in the eyes.  "Then, in all you have done
+lately, you have been only playing the game?" I asked.
+
+"Is that quite a fair question?" she answered.
+
+"Yes--under the circumstances."
+
+"But I thought you called it a game?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"And, yet, you ask me to spread my cards on the table?"
+
+"Not exactly; I ask to see only the tricks that are turned," said I.
+
+She shook her head.  "It's all the same--we must play fair."
+
+"Was it quite fair to write me that note unless you were sincere?" I
+asked.
+
+She looked me straight.  "Tell me," she demanded, "tell me, on your
+honor; had you not already made decision when my note reached you?"
+
+I hesitated.  "It clinched the matter," I said, lamely.
+
+The Princess smiled.
+
+"And, had the decision been otherwise, the note would have reversed
+it," I added.
+
+The smile broadened.  "But, since the note was in no way responsible,
+nor even persuasive, its sincerity does not matter," she said.
+
+"But, if I were to change my mind?" I replied.
+
+She glanced at my uniform and at the gleaming Star of the Lion.
+
+"They can be removed," I said; "they are only borrowed."
+
+"No, Your Royal Highness," said she, "they cannot be removed--not in
+the way you mean; your word is passed to your King."
+
+Your King!  It was the first reminder I was no longer a free American,
+and it gave me something of a shock.  And Dehra understood, and showed
+no mercy.
+
+"And, as an Archduke of Valeria, and almost the Heir Presumptive, you
+must know what it means to give your word to your King," she said.
+
+"I trust I know what it means to give my word to anyone," I returned.
+
+"Now, don't get on your dignity, Armand," she laughed.  "You understand
+me perfectly."
+
+I raised my hands in protest.  "Understand you perfectly!" I exclaimed.
+"I wish I understood you even a little."
+
+"You're not as nice as you were during the first part of the dinner."
+
+"Did you ever hear the slang Americanism 'there are others'?" I asked.
+
+She took a cigarette and lighted it--and passed it to me; then lighted
+another for herself.
+
+"What was it you asked about that note?" she said, and gave me one of
+those subduing smiles.
+
+I dropped my hand below the table and found her fingers.  "You meant
+it, Dehra; truly?" I asked.
+
+Sue released her fingers and placed both hands on the cloth.  "Of
+course I meant it--when I wrote it," she said.
+
+"That's quite as much as I've any right to expect," I answered.
+
+"That's the proper frame of mind, cousin," said she.
+
+"And the sort you prefer in your admirers?"
+
+She raised her eyebrows--"In my relatives--undoubtedly."
+
+"Come," said I, "we must not quarrel."
+
+"It would be the regular thing; I fight with all my relatives."
+
+A footman handed the King a card, received a message, and withdrew.
+
+"Then let me prove an exception," I cut in.
+
+"I am quite willing; squabbles are so stupid."
+
+"Speaking of cousins; have you quarrelled with Lotzen?"
+
+"Scores of times; we are in the distant bowing stage now."
+
+"Good," said I.  "I trust it will continue indefinitely."
+
+"We always make up and get very chummy after he has been absent for any
+time," she returned.
+
+"I wonder how he will view his new cousin?" I said.
+
+The Princess laughed.  "With considerable surprise, I fancy;
+particularly if he meet you in that uniform in a dimly-lighted corridor
+of the palace, at night."
+
+"Have the Dalbergs no ghost such as is appurtenant to all
+well-regulated royal families?"
+
+"Alas!  We have not; but you could give us a fine one."
+
+"Well, I won't," I said.
+
+"And yet, who knows?" she reflected with sudden seriousness; "your very
+resemblance to yonder picture may, sometime, be of service to you."
+
+"Then, I shall not hesitate to use it."
+
+"At any rate, I hope I shall be by when my cousin of Lotzen gets his
+first look at you."
+
+"As the family spectre or _in propria persona_?"
+
+"As both; but _in persona_, first," she said.
+
+Just then, the corridor door swung back, and a voice announced:
+
+"His Royal Highness, the Duke of Lotzen!"
+
+The Princess caught her breath, in surprise, and glanced quickly at the
+King.
+
+"Does His Highness always grant your wishes so promptly?" I asked.
+
+But she did not hear me.  She was watching the Duke as he advanced to
+the King and bent knee.
+
+And I, too, watched him; and with interest--this man, with whom I
+proposed to make a contest for the throne.
+
+He had the grace of one reared in Courts and the ease of one born to
+high command.  He made me feel awkward even as I sat.  His height was
+not above the medium, but his figure was so well proportioned he seemed
+almost my own size--and, yet, I knew I would top him by three inches.
+He wore the full dress uniform of a Lieutenant-General of Cavalry; and,
+with his black hair and moustache and well-cut face, he looked, in
+every line, the dashing beau sabreur.
+
+When he had greeted the King, and spoken to Lady Helen, he turned and,
+with eyes on Dehra, came toward us.  Courtney and I arose and stepped
+back.  The Princess swung around in her chair and gave him her hand,
+but without a word of welcome--and he spoke none.  Then, as he unbent,
+his eyes rested on me for the first time.
+
+[Illustration: Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first
+time.]
+
+I have never ceased to admire the self-control Lotzen showed then.  He
+gave me an instant's glance; flung another at the portrait behind me;
+and, then, clicking his heels sharply together, he raised his hand in
+salute--but, whether to me or to the portrait, I could not know.  My
+own hand went up with his and remained a moment longer; for I was the
+junior in actual rank, though he could not know it, for my present
+uniform was no guide.
+
+"Since no one has presented the Colonel of the Red Huzzars, will he not
+do the service for himself?" he said, very courteously.
+
+"I cry your pardon, gentlemen," exclaimed the King; "and I herewith
+present, to the Duke of Lotzen, his cousin, the Grand Duke Armand."
+
+Lotzen extended his hand in frank greeting.  "You are a Dalberg--any
+one could see--but whence?"
+
+"From America," I answered.
+
+He knew his family records well.  "Then, you are the heir of Hugo," he
+said instantly.  "And you come in good time, cousin; there have been
+few enough Dalbergs in Valeria this generation."
+
+"Your cousin will appreciate your welcome," said the King, before I
+could make reply.  Then he raised his glass.  "I give you: The New
+Archduke," he said.
+
+I bowed low; yet, not so low, but that I caught the smile Dehra gave
+me, over her glass, and the sharp glance with which Lotzen noted it.
+
+"Is he friend or foe?" I wondered--though the answer was evident.
+Plainly, he was no fool and, therefore, why should he be my friend?
+
+And such was the view of another; for, a bit later, as I swung the Lady
+Helen into saddle, she whispered:
+
+"Lotzen will bear watching."
+
+"I shall need friends," I answered, slowly, arranging her skirt.
+
+"Sometimes, a woman's wit is helpful."
+
+"And I may count on yours?"
+
+"Surely--mine, and another's, too, I fancy," she smiled.
+
+Then she and Courtney rode away--but halted almost instantly, and he
+called back to me to stop at the Embassy on the morrow and sign some
+papers.
+
+For, of course, now, I could not live, even for a night, at the
+American Legation; and, already, a suite had been prepared for me in
+the Palace.
+
+The four of us went to the King's library; and, after a while, Lotzen
+withdrew on the plea of an official appointment.  But His Majesty and
+the Princess and I sat until late in the night discussing the _modus
+vivendi_ for me.  Many matters were determined by them; and, in all, I
+acquiesced instantly; for they knew what was proper and I did not.
+
+It was decided that, for the present, I was to reside in the Palace.  I
+did not care for a separate establishment until I had more experience
+in the dignities of an Archduke.  Neither did I desire, now, a full
+military staff; and so I was to have only two aides--whom Frederick
+selected after much thought.
+
+The senior was Colonel Bernheim--who had brought the invitation to the
+Birthday Ball, and the commands of the Princess to dance with her that
+night.  His tour of duty with the Royal Aides was about ended, and,
+being an officer of much experience in the Court, he would be able to
+keep me straight, so to speak.
+
+The other aide was a Major Moore--an Irish soldier of fortune, who had
+been in the Valerian Army some ten years, and, by his efficiency, had
+become attached to the General Staff.  He was of noble birth--the
+younger son of a younger son of an Irish Earl--and "as an Irishman is
+more than half an American he will, doubtless, be congenial," the King
+said.
+
+I had liked Bernheim's manner, and I was willing to risk an Irishman's
+faith to his chief.  I asked, only, whether either was an intimate of
+the Duke of Lotzen.
+
+"That is a perfectly reasonable question," said Frederick instantly.
+"I know that Bernheim has never liked the Heir Presumptive and that
+Moore is not a favorite with the Prince."
+
+"Then, I am quite content with them," said I.
+
+"And you may also feel content," said he, "in that I appreciate your
+position here and its difficulties, and I shall stand behind you.  But
+a King's favorite, even though of the Royal Family, is rarely popular,
+so I shall obtrude no more than is necessary to show you have my good
+will.  When you want more, ask for it."
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+THE FATALITY OF MOONLIGHT
+
+The following morning I was formally presented to the Royal Council and
+took my place at the Board, on the left of the King, the Duke of Lotzen
+being on his right.  His Majesty stated briefly my descent, the law of
+the case as laid down by the Great Henry, and that I had accepted a
+restitution of the rights and privileges due to the eldest male heir of
+Hugo.
+
+"I ask your consideration for him, my Lords, the same as though he were
+our own son," he ended.  "I will answer for him--he is a Dalberg."
+
+At this there was applause and the members of the Council pressed
+forward and welcomed me as an Archduke of the Kingdom, taking my hand
+and bending knee before me.  It seemed a bit queer, but I got through
+it satisfactorily to myself--particularly so since there was no kissing
+in it.
+
+Then the Council began its business and the Prime Minister, Count
+Epping, read a tentative proposition of peace, which, he said, he
+understood had already been practically accepted by Titia.
+
+It provided that Murdol should be permitted to determine for itself, by
+the vote of its citizens, whether it would remain a province of Valeria
+or become, once more, a part of Titia.  In the latter event, Titia was
+to pay Valeria the value of all the public buildings in Murdol erected
+or rebuilt by Valeria, and, further, to reimburse Valeria for her war
+expenses.  But, if Murdol voted to remain with Valeria, then, Titia was
+to pay all the cost of the war.
+
+"I need hardly say to the Council," the Prime Minister remarked, "that,
+thus far, the terms are entirely satisfactory to His Majesty; but there
+is another detail, suggested by our friend, the intermediary, which is
+not so agreeable.  It is only a suggestion, but, I fear, has much to do
+with Titia's acquiescence.  It is that the peace be further cemented by
+a marriage between the Royal Families of Valeria and Titia."
+
+Then the Count sat down, and all faces were turned toward the King.
+
+Frederick ran his eyes slowly around the table.  I did the like.  There
+were but three faces which did not show favor for the marriage--and, of
+course, the three were the King's, Lotzen's, and mine.  At least, I
+assume mine evidenced my repugnance.  I am quite sure I felt it.
+
+"It is altogether useless, my Lords, for us to discuss the marriage
+matter," said Frederick.  "I have given my word to Her Royal Highness
+that she shall not be coerced in her choice of a husband, and it shall
+not be broken.  So long as she weds within her circle, she may marry
+when and where and whom she will.  Save for that restriction, Valeria
+will make peace with Titia upon the terms specified.  We refused the
+marriage before the war began; we refuse it now; we would refuse it
+were Casimir's guns thundering without the walls."
+
+They were good courtiers--these men of the Council--for they sprang to
+their feet and cheered enthusiastically.  And so the matter ended, for
+the time.  Altogether, I was well pleased with the doings of the
+morning.
+
+And so was Courtney, when I told him of it, over a whiskey and soda in
+his library, later in the day.  Possibly, I violated the proprieties in
+disclosing the business of the Royal Council, but I knew Courtney
+understood I was talking to my friend and not to the Ambassador.
+
+"I wish," said I, "you would give me your opinion of Lotzen."
+
+Courtney smiled.  "He is clever--very clever," he said.
+
+"Even I could guess that after last evening," I cut in.
+
+"He is ambitious, rather unscrupulous, and wholly dangerous," Courtney
+continued.
+
+"A pleasant sort of rival," I commented.
+
+"And, finally, he is infatuated with the Princess Royal."
+
+"That may be a fatal weakness," said I.
+
+"Truly, you seem to have gained wisdom overnight--Your Highness," said
+he.
+
+"And shall need many nights and much, very much, wisdom, I fear."
+
+He nodded.  "That you will--particularly, if you make a confidant of
+women."
+
+I frowned.
+
+"Don't imagine Lady Helen told me," Courtney explained.  "I chanced to
+notice her greeting, last night, to the Colonel of the Red Huzzars."
+
+"You are too observant," said I.
+
+"A bit more so, at that moment, than the Princess, I think."
+
+"I trust so," said I.
+
+"You made some rather fast going last night, my friend," he observed.
+"Now, it's none of my affair--only--isn't it a bit early for top speed?"
+
+"That is exactly what the Princess suggested," said I.
+
+He burst into an amused laugh.  "Go it, my boy!" he exclaimed, "you are
+doing delightfully--and so is the Princess."
+
+"Particularly the Princess," I said.
+
+He nodded.
+
+"And it's more than likely I am riding for a fall."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "It's a fast race over a strange
+course--and they will ride you down if they can."
+
+"I know it," said I, "but I fancy I shall rather enjoy the
+excitement--and Bernheim and Moore can be depended on, I think."
+
+"Undoubtedly--you may be sure the King chose them advisedly.  Consult
+them in everything--but, on particular occasions, consult----"
+
+"I'll come to you," I filled in.
+
+"And you may always count on my aid--but, I was about to say, upon
+particular occasions consult the Princess."
+
+"Good," said I.  "I shall riot in particular occasions."
+
+"P. V." he amended.
+
+"Oh!  I'm her cousin," I laughed.
+
+"And so is Lotzen."
+
+"Damn Lotzen," said I, heartily.
+
+"That's well enough as far as it goes, but it's the King's damn you
+want."
+
+"I fear he does not swear in English," said I.
+
+"Then, it's up to you to teach him--and the quickest method is to win
+the Princess.  Marry her and you get the Crown for a bridal present."
+
+"It may be the surest method; I doubt if it's the quickest," said I.
+
+"Well, of course, my dear fellow," he said banteringly, "you know the
+lady better than I do."
+
+"I doubt it," said I, "for I think I don't know her even a little bit."
+
+"Good--you are gathering wisdom rapidly; indeed, you are growing almost
+over-wise."
+
+"I have often wondered how you got your amazing knowledge of women," I
+observed.
+
+He lit a cigarette and sent a cloud of smoke between us.  "It was born
+in me, I think.  At any rate, I've proved it--by letting them alone.
+Yet," he went on musingly, "were I a Royal Duke and cousin to the
+Princess of Valeria, I am not so sure--no, I am not so sure."
+
+I looked at him a bit curiously.  Surely, it could not be that
+Courtney--the indifferent--the _blasé_--envied me; that he would care
+to be other than he was; or that even a beautiful woman could stir his
+blood.  Then the cloud began to thin out, and he must have noticed my
+surprise, for he laughed and waved his hand before his face.
+
+"I'm like the fellow in the song," said he, "I've been 'seeing pictures
+in the smoke.'"
+
+"And you liked the pictures?" I asked.
+
+"Very much, my boy, very much indeed--in smoke."
+
+"Someone else is improving, also," said I.  "Time was when you could
+not have seen such pictures."
+
+He shook his head.  "It's only a sign of age.  I'm becoming a dreamer;
+soon you will find me sitting in the sun."
+
+"You need a wife, Courtney," I exclaimed.
+
+He laughed.  "No--I need a drink, a good stiff drink.  I'm getting old,
+and lonely for the tried friends I've lost; you are the last deserter."
+
+"Nonsense," I began.
+
+"No, it's true as gospel," he went on.  "Our paths separated forever at
+the Palace, last night.  You are a Royal Highness and the possible heir
+to the Throne.  And I am an elderly American diplomat--here, to-day;
+gone to-morrow."
+
+"You need several good stiff drinks," I interrupted.
+
+He waved aside my banter.  "I give you a toast," he went on, pouring a
+measure for each of us.  "The Princess Dehra--and another like her."
+
+"And may you find that other," I cried.
+
+Then we drained our glasses and flung them into the grate.
+
+I was tremendously astonished at this revelation of Courtney's
+feelings--feelings which I had never even suspected.  And, I fear, I
+had the bad taste to stare at him.  For he turned abruptly and walked
+to the window, and stood, for a moment, with his back to me.  I drew on
+my gloves and hitched up my sword (I was wearing the undress of a
+general officer) and waited.
+
+"Of course, you understood, last night, that there were no papers for
+you to sign," he said, as he came slowly back to the table.
+
+"Surely," I laughed.
+
+"What I wanted was the opportunity to tell you that our secret service
+will be at your command, and that I have given instructions to report
+to me anything that may be of use to you--particularly, touching Lotzen
+and his intimates."
+
+"You are more than good, old chap," I said, and we shook hands
+hard--for the toast was still in mind.
+
+"Present my compliments to Her Highness," he called after me.
+
+I went back to the doorway.  "And give mine to The Other Like Her, when
+she comes," I said.
+
+"She will never come, Armand; she will never come.  I am just an old
+fool."  Then he laughed.  "Your love-making at dinner tables didn't use
+to affect me."
+
+"You never followed any of them by a moonlight ride with a pretty
+girl," I answered.
+
+"At least, never with one as pretty as Lady Helen," he amended.
+
+I was getting surprises with a vengeance.
+
+"Is it possible you have just discovered she is pretty?" I exclaimed.
+
+He smiled frankly.  "No--but it may be I've just discovered how pretty."
+
+"And she's more than pretty," said I, "she's thoroughbred."
+
+He studied me for a moment.  "I have often wondered--and now I wonder
+more than ever--why you--why you never----  You understand."
+
+I nodded.  "Yes," said I, "I understand and I rather reckon I would, if
+it had not been that, a year before I ever saw the Lady Helen, I had
+ridden with the Princess Dehra, alone, in the Palace forest, for an
+hour."
+
+At last, I saw Courtney's cold face show genuine surprise.
+
+"And you made no effort then to prove your cousinship?" he exclaimed.
+
+"No," said I.
+
+"You let her go; and--and you a Dalberg and a soldier!  You don't
+deserve her--she ought to go to Lotzen--to Casimir--to any one but you.
+Why, you drivelling idiot, do you realize that, but for the chance of
+my having lugged--yes, that's the word, lugged you here you would now
+be doing childish problems in cement and stone in some miserable little
+Army department headquarters over in America?"
+
+It was delicious to see Courtney roused, once in his life.  Choking
+back my laugh, I answered:
+
+"You have not put it half strongly enough.  You may be a fool, as you
+say--there's no doubt that I've been a colossal one."
+
+"You ought to be in an asylum for weak-minded instead of in that
+uniform," he ejaculated.
+
+"But, thanks to you, I'm in the uniform and not in the asylum," I
+answered.
+
+"Pray God you have sense enough, now, to keep in the one and out of the
+other," he retorted.
+
+"Amen, Courtney, old man," said I, "Amen!"
+
+Then I sprang away and into saddle--waving my hand to him as he came
+hastily to the door to stay me.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+LEARNING MY TRADE
+
+The next month was the busiest of my life--not excepting those at the
+Point.  I was learning to be Royal, and I was starting a generation and
+a half behind time.  My hardest task was in meeting the Nobility.  I
+had been bred a soldier and had despised the politician--secretly,
+however, as is necessary for the Army officer in America; but no rural
+candidate at a Fall election ever worked harder to ingratiate himself
+with the people and to secure their votes, than did I to win favor with
+the Lords and high officers of State.  And, with it all, I could feel
+no assurance of success--for they were courtiers, and I had not yet
+learned to read behind their masks; though, here, Bernheim was
+invaluable.  Indeed, he was a wonder.  I have yet to find him miss his
+guess.
+
+There were constant Cabinet meetings to attend, at which my views were
+expected; and this entailed a study of conditions and policies
+absolutely new to me.  Then, I was delegated frequently by the King to
+represent him on occasions of ceremony; and, for them, I needed careful
+coaching.  In fact, there were a thousand matters which occupied me to
+exhaustion.  And, through it all, I was trying to get familiar with the
+organization and administration and methods of the Valerian Army, so as
+to be fitted to discharge the duties of my high rank.  I confess this
+was my most congenial labor.  If I might have been simply a soldier
+Archduke, I think I would have been entirely satisfied.
+
+After a few weeks I had taken up my residence in the Epsau Palace--one
+of my recent inheritances--and there maintained my own Archducal Court.
+It was a bit hard for me to take myself seriously and to accept calmly
+the obsequious deference accorded me by everyone.  I fear I smiled many
+times when I should have looked royally indifferent; and was royally
+indifferent when I should have smiled.  I know there were scores of
+instances when I felt like kicking some of the infernally omnipresent
+flunkeys down the stairs.  But I did not; for I knew that the poor
+devils were doing only their particular duty in the manner particularly
+proper.
+
+Yet, there were compensations, so many and so satisfying, I never, for
+a moment, considered a return to my former estate.  I was--I admit
+it--enamored of my rank and power; and, it may be, even of that very
+obsequiousness and flattery which I thought I despised.  I know there
+was a supreme satisfaction when I passed through the saluting crowds in
+the Alta Avenue.  It became almost elation when I rode upon the parade
+ground to take the Review and the March By.
+
+During this month, I had seen the Duke of Lotzen very frequently.  I
+had sat beside him at the Council table; I had dined with him formally
+as the new Archduke, and informally as his cousin.  And, on my part, I
+had repaid his courtesies in kind.  He had been thoughtful and
+considerate to me to an exceptional degree, but, at the same time,
+without undue effusiveness.  In a word, he had treated me with every
+possible attention our rank and consanguinity demanded.
+
+Even Courtney could find nothing to criticise in Lotzen's behavior; nor
+had his secret agents been able to detect anything _sub rosa_.
+
+"However, all this proves nothing one way or the other," he remarked
+one day, as we sat in my inner library.  "If he intend the worst sort
+of harm to you he would begin just as he has."
+
+I nodded.
+
+"I suppose His Majesty knows of Lotzen's courtesies to you?"
+
+"And is immensely gratified.  Bernheim tells me the Duke never was in
+higher favor than at this moment," I answered.
+
+"Exactly--and, therefore, the less likely a change in the Law of
+Succession.  He uses you to play against you."
+
+"And I am helpless to prevent it," said I.
+
+"I may not refuse his civilities nor appear to question their intent."
+
+"Heaven forfend!" Courtney exclaimed, with lifted hands.  "Your counter
+attack is at the King, too.  Keep him interested in you."
+
+"I have, I think.  I am the new Military Governor of Dornlitz."
+
+"Wonderful, Major!--Your Royal Highness, I mean."
+
+"Drop the R. H., please," I said; "stick to Armand or Major."
+
+"Thank you, I shall, in private; it's handier.  And when were you
+appointed?"
+
+"It will be in the Gazette this evening.  His Majesty offered it to me
+this morning."
+
+"Does Lotzen know it?"
+
+"I think not; it was due to a sudden shifting of Corps Commanders made
+yesterday."
+
+"I would like a view of the Duke's private countenance when he hears it
+first," Courtney laughed.  "It's the most desirable post in the Army;
+even preferable to Chief of Staff.  It makes you master in the Capital
+and its Military District, a temporary Field Marshal, and answerable to
+none but the King himself."
+
+"It's just that which makes me question the expediency of my accepting
+the detail," said I.  "It's a post to reward long service and soldierly
+merit.  I have not the former and have had no chance to prove the
+latter.  I fear it will be bad for discipline and worse for my
+popularity."
+
+Courtney laughed.  "That might be true of the American Army--it's
+nonsense in a Monarchy.  You forget you are of the Blood Royal--an
+Archduke--of mature years--with some experience in actual war--and, for
+all the Army and Court know, in line for the Crown.  You are,
+therefore, born to command.  There can be no jealousies against you.
+On the contrary, it will bring you followers.  None but Lotzen and his
+circle will resent it, and they, already, are your enemies.  The
+Governorship will make them no more so.  Instead, it will keep them
+careful; for it will give you immense power to detect and foil their
+plots."
+
+"Plots!" I exclaimed.  "Do you fancy Lotzen would resort to murder?"
+
+"Not at present--not until everything else has failed."
+
+"You seem very sure," I remarked.
+
+"Precisely that.  You don't seem to realize that you have likely both
+lost him his desired wife and jeopardized his succession to the Throne.
+He might submit to losing the Princess, but the Crown, never.  He will
+eliminate you, by soft methods if he can, by violent ones, if need be.
+Believe me, Major, I know the ways of Courts a little better than you."
+
+I took a turn up and down the room.  "I don't know that Lotzen isn't
+justified in using every means to defeat me.  I am a robber--a
+highwayman, if you please.  I am, this instant, holding him up and
+trying to deprive him of his dearest inheritance.  And I'm doing it
+with calm deliberation, while, ostensibly, I'm his friend.  If I
+attempt to steal his watch he would be justified in shooting me on the
+spot--why shouldn't he do the same when I try to filch from him the
+Valerian Crown?"
+
+"No reason in the world, my dear Major, except that to steal a watch is
+a vulgar crime--but to plot for a throne is the privilege of Princes.
+And Princes do not shoot their rivals."
+
+"With their own hands," I added.
+
+Courtney bowed low.  "Your Highness has it exactly," he said.
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.  "You flatter me."
+
+"I speak only in general terms; they do not apply to you, my dear
+Major.  You are not plotting to dethrone a King; you are simply trying,
+frankly and openly, to recover what is yours by birthright.  Lotzen's
+real claim to the Crown is, in justice, subordinate to yours--and he
+knows it--and so does the King, or he would not have put you on
+probation, so to speak, with the implied promise to give you back your
+own again, if you prove worthy."
+
+"That's one way to look at it," said I, "and I reckon I shall have to
+accept it.  In fact, I'm remitted to it or to chucking the whole thing
+overboard."
+
+Courtney smiled approvingly.  "That's the reasonable point of view.
+Now, stick to it, and give Lotzen no quarter--you may be sure he will
+give you none."
+
+"I shall countenance no violence," I insisted.
+
+"One is permitted to repel force by force."
+
+"I shall not hesitate to do that, you may be sure."
+
+"Good!" said he.  "Now we understand the situation and each other; and
+I can assist you more effectively."
+
+"I shall advise you the moment anything new develops," said I.
+
+"And remember, Major, to either you or Lotzen the Princess means the
+Crown.  Frederick will be only too glad to pass it so to his own
+descendants."
+
+"That's the truth," said I.  "But I reckon the Princess doesn't need
+the Crown to get Lotzen or me."
+
+"Do you realize how lucky it is, under the circumstances, that you are
+unmarried?" Courtney inquired.
+
+"Rather--only, if I had chanced to be married, I would still be your
+Military Attaché.  Frederick would never have given me the chance to be
+an Archduke."
+
+"At least, it's sure he would never have given you a chance to be a
+King."
+
+"And the American newspapers would have missed a great news item," I
+added.
+
+"I never quite appreciated what a wonder you were until they told me,"
+he laughed.  "You seem to possess a marvellous assortment of
+talents--and, as for bravery, they have had you leading every charge in
+the Spanish War."
+
+"It's all very tiresome," I said.
+
+"It's one of the penalties of Royalty--to be always in the limelight
+and never in the shadow," he returned.  "How does it feel?"
+
+"Come around to-night to the Royal Box at the Opera and get into the
+glare, a bit," I said.  "I am to take the King's place and escort the
+Princess."
+
+"Is that a command?" he asked.
+
+"Hang it all, Courtney----" I exclaimed.
+
+"Because, if it isn't," he went on, "I shall have to decline.  I'm
+dining with the Radnors and going on to the Opera with them."
+
+I looked at him expectantly for a moment, giving him an opening to
+mention Lady Helen; but he only smiled and lit another cigarette.  I
+understood he declined the opening.  Indeed, he had never referred to
+Lady Helen since that first surprising time.  But, if the gossip of the
+Diplomatic set, which, of course, reached the Court promptly, were at
+all reliable, another International marriage was not improbable.  I
+admit I was a bit curious as to the matter--and here I saw my
+opportunity.
+
+"If you will permit," said I, "I'll send an Aide to invite the Radnors
+and you to the Royal Box during the last act, and then, later, to be my
+guests at supper on the Hanging Garden."
+
+"You're very kind, old man," said he; "and as for old Radnor you will
+endanger his life--he will just about explode with importance."
+
+"I trust not," said I; "I like Lord Radnor--and then explosions are
+disconcerting at the Opera or a supper."
+
+I had good reason, later, to remember this banter--for there was an
+explosion at the supper that night that was more than disconcerting;
+but Lord Radnor was in no way responsible.
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+IN THE ROYAL BOX
+
+When the Princess and I entered the Royal Box that night the applause
+was instant and enthusiastic.  I kept a bit in the rear; the greeting
+was for her.  And she smiled that conquering smile of hers that went
+straight to every individual in the audience as a personal
+acknowledgment.  I had seen it frequently in the past month; yet, every
+time, to marvel only the more.  Small wonder, indeed, that she was the
+toast of the Nation and the pride of the King.  A million pities the
+Salic Law barred her from the succession.  What a Queen Regnant she
+would make!  Aye, what a Queen Consort she would be!  What a wife!
+
+Then the last high note of the National Air blared out and the
+Princess, turning quickly, caught my look and straightway read my
+thoughts.  A sudden flush swept over her face and neck and she dropped
+her eyes.  Silently I placed a chair for her; as she took it, her bare
+arm rested against my hand.  The effect on me, in the stress of my
+feelings at that moment, is indescribable.  I know I gasped--and my
+throat got hot and my heart pounded in sharp pain.
+
+But I did not withdraw my hand--nor did the Princess remove her arm.
+Its soft, warm flesh pressed against my fingers--the perfume of her
+hair enveloped my face--the beat of her bosom was just below me.
+
+A fierce impulse seized me to take her in my arms--there, before them
+all, the Court and the Capital.  Reason told me to step back.  Yet I
+could not.  Instead, I gripped the chair fiercely, and, by that very
+act, pushed my fingers only more closely against her.
+
+Was I dreaming--or did I feel an answering pressure, not once but twice
+repeated.  I was sure of it.  I bent forward.  Quickly she looked up at
+me with eyes half closed.
+
+"How cold your hand is, Armand," she said.
+
+"Does it chill you, dear?" I whispered.
+
+She smiled.  "It never could do that," she answered.  "But won't you
+sit beside me, now?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose so," I said reluctantly.  "Only, I'm nearer you as I
+am."
+
+Then I took my chair, drawing it a trifle in the rear, so, being
+obliged to lean forward, I would be closer to her and could speak
+softly in her ear.
+
+"You're very bold, Armand; you are always doing things so publicly,"
+she said.
+
+"It was an accident--at first."
+
+"And afterward, sir?"
+
+"Afterward, I was powerless."
+
+"My arm would not believe you."
+
+"Powerless to remove my hand, I mean."
+
+"Powerlessness, with you, has queer manifestations," she said.
+
+"Yes--sometimes it's passive and sometimes active."
+
+"It was active, I suppose, that day in the King's cabinet, when you
+gave me that cousinly kiss."
+
+"If we were not so public I would----"
+
+She looked at me with the most daring invitation.  "It is because we
+are so public that you are permitted to sit so near."
+
+"Then, why blame me if I take the only opportunities you give me?" I
+asked.
+
+She half closed her eyes and looked at me, side-long, through her
+lashes.
+
+"Have I ever blamed you?" she asked.
+
+"Dehra," said I, "if you look at me like that I shall kiss you now."
+
+She closed her eyes a trifle more.  "Where, Armand?" she said.  "You
+have been kissing my hair every time I let it touch your lips."
+
+"Let it touch them again, then," I whispered.
+
+She turned her head sharply from me and, then, slowly back again; and
+her perfumed tresses, dressed low on her neck, brushed full and hard
+across my face, from cheek to cheek.
+
+"There, cousin," said she; "am I not good?"
+
+"Not entirely, when you call me 'cousin,'" I said, looking her in the
+eyes.
+
+"Your Highness, then," she smiled.
+
+"Worse still."
+
+"Marshal."
+
+"No better."
+
+"Marshal would please most men," she said.
+
+"There is only one name from you will please me, now," I answered.
+
+She quite closed her eyes.  "You are an autocrat to-night, Armand," she
+murmured.
+
+"I'm your lover, sweetheart; your lover to-night and always," I said
+impetuously.
+
+She opened her eyes wide and looked into mine with that calm, deep
+search which only a good woman has power to use.  I knew, and trembling
+waited.  What she saw in my eyes then she would see there always--in
+storm, in sunshine--in youth and in old age.
+
+Then, suddenly, her glance dropped and a blush stole slowly across her
+cheek.
+
+"To me, dearest," she said softly, "you have been a lover since that
+day in the forest when you were only Captain Smith."
+
+I bowed my head.  "You Princess of women," I said.  "How near I was to
+losing you."
+
+She turned and deliberately let her hair rest on my face a moment.
+
+"There, dear," said she, "is my first kiss to you.  I shall have to
+wait a bit for yours to me."
+
+"And you really want my kiss, Dehra?" I asked doubtingly.  Small
+wonder, indeed, I was slow to realize my fortune.
+
+"You great stupid," she laughed.  "Can't you understand I have wanted
+it for six long years?"
+
+"I think," said I, "I'm dreaming."
+
+"For a dreamer, you're wonderfully brave," she said.  "Do you
+appreciate that you had the audacity to propose to the Princess Royal
+of Valeria while she sat in the Royal Box before all the fashion of
+Dornlitz?"
+
+"My dear," said I, "I would propose to her a dozen times under like
+conditions if I thought, at the end, she would do as she has done
+to-night."
+
+"If she had known that, she might have put you to the test."
+
+"It would have made her wait only the longer for that kiss she wants,"
+I said.
+
+"Oh, I fancy, sir, she could have had your kiss without accepting you.
+She needed only to give you half a chance."
+
+"I think," said I, "even less than half a chance from you, dear, would
+have been successful."
+
+She studied her fan a moment.  "From me, _only_?" she asked.
+
+"From you, only," I said.  "It would require a trifle more than half a
+chance from anyone else."
+
+"Even from the Lady Helen Radnor?" she asked.
+
+I watched her face a moment.  There was, I felt, only one way to play
+this out.
+
+"Well," I answered, "it might be that an even half chance would suffice
+from her."
+
+"It took rather less than that at the Birthday Ball, didn't it?"
+
+I had the grace to keep silent--or, maybe, I was too surprised to know
+an answer.  I did not have the courage to meet her eyes.  I stared into
+the audience, seeing no one, thinking much--hoping she would speak; but
+she did not.
+
+Presently I turned, looking like a whipped child, I know, and met
+Dehra's smiling face.
+
+"Tie my slipper, dear," she said, "the ribbon has come undone."
+
+"You sweetheart!" I said.  "You sweetheart!"
+
+She drew her gown back from the footstool, and I slowly tightened the
+silken bands over the high-arched instep--very slowly, I confess.
+
+"You're very naughty, Armand," she said, shaking her head in mock
+reproof.
+
+"Doesn't the other shoe need fastening?" I asked.
+
+"No, sir--and, if it did, I would have the Countess tie it."
+
+"Bother the Countess," I said.  (The Countess Giska was the Princess's
+chief Lady in Waiting--and she and my aide-de-camp, Moore, were in the
+rear of the Box, which, fortunately, was sufficiently deep to put them
+out of ear-shot.)
+
+"Or, I might ask Major Moore.  I think he would be glad to do it," she
+said.
+
+"He would be a most extraordinary Irishman if he were not more than
+glad," I said.  "But, when I'm around, Dehra, the pleasure is mine
+alone."
+
+"Goodness, Armand, you would not be jealous?" she mocked.
+
+"I don't know what it's called," said I, "but that's it."
+
+"Haven't you ever been jealous, dear?" she asked.
+
+"I never cared enough for a girl to be jealous," I said.
+
+"I fancy you've cared for so many you had no time to entertain the
+Green-eyed Monster," she said.
+
+I evaded the thrust.  "Has he ever visited you?" I asked.
+
+She ignored the question.
+
+"Isn't Lady Helen beautiful to-night?" she said--and smiled a greeting
+toward the British Ambassador's Box.
+
+Instantly, Lord Radnor and Courtney arose and bowed low.  I returned
+the salute in kind.
+
+"Tell me," I said.  "Were you ever jealous?"
+
+She kept her eyes on the stage.  Carmen was the opera, but, thus far, I
+had not heard a single note.
+
+"I am waiting for you to answer my question," she said, presently.
+
+"I fear I missed it," I replied.
+
+"Queer, surely--it was about Lady Helen.  I asked if she were not
+beautiful to-night."
+
+"She is always very handsome," I said.  "And she looks particularly
+well in blue."
+
+Dehra smiled slyly.  "It's the same gown she wore at the Birthday Ball."
+
+I bit my lip--then, suddenly, I got very brave.
+
+"Tell me," I said.  "How did you know I kissed her, that night?"
+
+"I saw it."
+
+"The Dev--!  Oh!" I exclaimed.  I was brave no longer.  I got
+interested in the opera.  Presently, I ventured to glance at Dehra--she
+was laughing behind her fan.  Then I ventured again.
+
+"I hope," said I, "I did it nicely."
+
+"Most artistically, my dear Armand.  Escamillo, yonder, could not do it
+more cleverly."
+
+I winced.  It is not especially flattering to an Archduke to be classed
+with a toreador--and Carmen's toreador, least of all.  Yet, I
+recognized the justice of the punishment.  Bravery had failed twice; it
+was time to be humble.
+
+"I am sorry, Dehra," I said.
+
+"Of course you are, sir, very sorry--that I saw you.--And so was I,"
+she added.
+
+"Was?" I echoed.
+
+"It gave me _un mauvais quart d'heure_."
+
+"No longer than that?" tasked.
+
+"No; it lasted only until I had you to myself on the terrace, a little
+later."
+
+"And then?" I queried.
+
+"Then?  Then I was no longer jealous of the Lady Helen.  Your eyes told
+me there was no need."
+
+"There never has been anyone but you, my darling," I whispered.
+
+"And never will be, Armand?" she asked.
+
+"Please God, never," I said; and, forgetting where we were, I made as
+though to take her hand.
+
+"Not now," she smiled.  "Wait until after the Opera."
+
+"It will be a longer wait than that," I said regretfully.  "I have told
+Courtney I would invite the Radnors and him to take supper with me on
+the Hanging Garden, to-night."
+
+"Why don't you say 'take supper with _us_'?"
+
+"You mean it, Dehra?" I asked in surprise.  "You have always refused,
+hitherto; and I have asked so often."
+
+She smiled.  "Hitherto was different from now," she said.
+
+"Thank God for the now," I added.
+
+"We might bid them here for the last act," she suggested.
+
+"I have presumed to hint as much to Courtney," I said; and told her how
+it had all come about in my talk with him that morning.
+
+"Delightful!" she exclaimed.  "And we will have a jolly party on the
+Garden--and let us be just like ordinary folk and have a public
+table--only, a little apart, of course."
+
+"It shall be as you want," I said, and dispatched Major Moore to the
+Radnor Box with the invitation.
+
+When he returned, I stepped into the corridor and gave him explicit
+instructions as to the supper.  I had encouraged both him and Bernheim
+to intimate when I was about to make an Archducal _faux pas_, and I saw
+he did not approve of the public table.  But I gave no heed.  I knew
+perfectly well it was violating official etiquette for the Princess to
+appear there at such an hour; but it was her first request since--well,
+since what had occurred a few minutes before--and I was determined to
+gratify her.  And Moore, being a good courtier, and knowing I had
+observed his warning, made no further protest, but saluted and departed
+on his mission.
+
+When I rejoined Dehra she had moved forward and was looking over the
+audience.
+
+"I have found an ex-compatriot of yours," she remarked.
+
+"Yes?" I said, rather indifferently.
+
+"She has just come into the third box on the right.  She is wonderfully
+beautiful--or, at least, she looks it from here."
+
+"I've got someone wonderfully beautiful beside me," I answered.
+
+"But have you no interest in the American?" she asked.
+
+"None--except that she interests you.  In the third box, did you say?"
+I asked, turning slowly toward it.
+
+"Why, Armand, you know her!" said Dehra, suddenly.
+
+Trust a woman to read a man's face.
+
+"Yes," said I, "I have seen her before to-night."
+
+She gave me a sharp look.  "And have known her, too--_n'est ce pas_?"
+
+"Yes--after a fashion," I answered.
+
+She studied the woman for a space.
+
+"Is that her husband behind her?" she asked, presently.
+
+I smiled.  "Very possibly," I said.
+
+"Had she a husband when you knew her?" she persisted.
+
+"Part of the time."  I was a bit uncomfortable.
+
+"And the man, yonder, is not he?"
+
+"No," said I.
+
+She gave me a sidelong glance.  "And her name?" she asked.
+
+"It used to be Madeline Spencer."
+
+"You showed excellent taste, Armand--both in her looks and name."
+There was something of sarcasm in the tone.
+
+"Don't be unjust, sweetheart," I said.  "She never was anything to me."
+
+"Are you quite sure?".
+
+"On my honor."
+
+She gave a little sigh of relief.  "I am glad, dear; I would not want
+her for a rival.  She is much too beautiful to be forgotten easily."
+
+"The beauty is only external.  She is ugly in heart," I said.  "I
+wonder what brings her to Dornlitz?"
+
+"The man beside her, doubtless," said Dehra.
+
+"Then he's spending money on her like water--or she has some game
+afoot," I exclaimed.
+
+"You paint her very dark, dear."
+
+"Listen," I said.  "She was the wife of Colonel Spencer of the American
+Army.  He married her, one summer, in Paris, where he had gone to meet
+her upon her graduation from a convent school.  She was his ward--the
+child of the officer who had been his room-mate at the Point.  Within
+two years Colonel Spencer was dead--broken-hearted; a wealthy
+Lieutenant of his regiment had been cashiered and had shot himself
+after she had plucked him clean.  Since then, she has lived in the odor
+of eminent respectability; yet, as I know, always waiting for a
+victim--and always having one.  Money is her God."
+
+"And, yet, there seems to be nothing in her appearance to suggest such
+viciousness," said Dehra.
+
+"Nothing," I said; "and, hence, her danger and her power."
+
+"You knew her when she was Colonel Spencer's wife?"
+
+"I met her at the Post where he commanded--and, later, I saw her in
+Washington and New York.  She had been in Pittsburgh for several months
+before I left--angling for some of the _nouveaux riches_, I fancy.
+There was plenty of gossip of her in the Clubs; though I, alone, I
+think, know her true history."
+
+"And you did not warn anyone of her?"
+
+"So long as she let my friends alone I cared not what pigeon she
+plucked.  And the very fact that she knew I was in Pittsburgh, was
+enough to make her shy of anyone I would likely care for."
+
+Dehra laughed lightly.  "Maybe you were a little bit afraid of her,
+yourself," she said.
+
+"Maybe I was," I admitted; "for she has a fascination almost
+irresistible--when she choose to exert it."
+
+Dehra looked at me steadily.
+
+I understood.
+
+"Yes," said I, "she has made a try at me; once in New York; again, and
+only recently, in Pittsburgh.  I escaped both times, thank God."
+
+"She may make another try at you here."
+
+I laughed.  "She failed twice in America; she can scarcely win in
+Dornlitz when you are beside me."
+
+"But I'm not always beside you," she objected.
+
+"Not physically," I said.
+
+"What chance would a mentality have against that woman's actual
+presence?" she asked.
+
+"It would depend entirely on the man, and I am immune--thanks to
+Spencer's dead face and your sweet one."
+
+Dehra smiled brightly.  "Spencer's dead face is a mentality infinitely
+more potent than my living one; but I think the two should hold you.
+Yet, I hate that woman yonder.  I believe she has dared to follow you
+here."
+
+I shook my head.  "Never in my life have I used words to woman such as
+I used to her in Pittsburgh.  Oh, no, she has not followed me."
+
+"Then, why is she here--so soon after your coming?" Dehra persisted.
+
+"Why do thousands visit Dornlitz every month?" I asked.
+
+"She is no casual visitor."
+
+"Very likely," I agreed.  "Madeline Spencer is not the sort to do
+casual travelling.  She has an object--but it is not I."
+
+"I wish I could feel secure of it."
+
+"Do you mean it's I you doubt, dear?" I asked.
+
+She gave me her sweetest smile.  "I shall doubt you, Armand, only when
+you yourself order me to--and, even then, I may disregard the order."
+
+Before such love a man falls abject in his absolute unworthiness.
+
+"I don't deserve such trust, sweetheart," I answered humbly--and I
+think my voice broke in the saying.
+
+"I'll risk it," she replied.  "If I were as sure that woman's presence
+meant no harm to you I would be altogether easy."
+
+"What harm could she possibly do to an Archduke of Valeria?" I laughed.
+
+"None that I can imagine, I admit--unless she seek to discredit you
+with the King."
+
+"But from what possible motive?"
+
+"Revenge for your double scorning of her."
+
+I laughed.  "Madame Spencer has no time for such foolishness as
+revenge."
+
+"I hope you may be right, dear; but a woman's intuition bids you to
+beware."
+
+"Would you like to have the authorities look into her business here?" I
+asked.
+
+"Yes, I surely would."
+
+Just then Major Moore entered.  I motioned him forward.
+
+"Everything is arranged for on the Garden as Your Highness ordered," he
+reported.
+
+I thanked him.  "One thing more, Major," I said.  "My compliments to
+the senior officer of the Secret Police on duty here to-night, and ask
+him to send me, in the morning, a full report on the parties occupying
+the third box on the right in this row.  And do you take a good look at
+them yourself; it may be well for you to know their faces."
+
+"What a satisfactory Aide," said Dehra.  "His eyes didn't even waver
+toward that other box."
+
+"Not only that," I answered; "but, when Moore does do his looking,
+those in that box won't know it, you may be sure."
+
+Then the bells rang for the last act--and the Radnors and Courtney were
+announced.
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+THE WOMAN IN BLACK
+
+To those who have never been to Dornlitz I may say that the Hanging
+Garden is the name for the great balcony of the Hotel Metzen.  It
+suggests--very faintly--the Terrace at Westminster; though, of course,
+it is far more beautiful, with the dancing waters of Lake Lorg instead
+of the dirty, sluggish Thames.  It is the peculiarly fashionable
+restaurant, and is always thronged in the evening with the aristocracy
+of the Kingdom.  To-night, the extreme end of the balcony had been
+reserved for me, and a very slight bank of plants was arranged to
+separate us from the general crowd.
+
+Just before the final curtain, His Highness of Lotzen had strolled into
+the Royal Box.  To my surprise he congratulated me very heartily upon
+my appointment as Governor of Dornlitz; and, perforce, I invited him to
+join us at supper.
+
+He hesitated a moment, and I urged him to come.  In fact, I felt a bit
+sorry for him.  He had just lost the Princess and, with her, likely,
+his chance at the Throne, as well.  And I had won the one and, very
+possibly, the other, also.  I could afford to be generous.  After
+to-night, however,--when he had learned of these facts--it would be for
+him to indicate as to our future attitude.  For my part, I was quite
+willing to be friendly.
+
+The entrance of my party made something of a sensation.  To reach our
+table, we were obliged to pass down the Garden almost half its length
+and the people arose instantly and bowed.
+
+To Lotzen, this deference was such an ordinary incident of his daily
+life he, doubtless, scarcely noticed it.  But I was still fresh in my
+Royalty and it did attract me--though, I think I appreciated what he
+did not; that their courtesy was, in truth, to the Princess only, and
+not to us.  Indeed, it would have been just the same if the King
+himself had been with us.  When Dehra was in presence the people had
+eyes for her alone.
+
+The supper was deliciously cooked; the wine was excellent; the service
+beyond criticism.  I had given the two Ambassadors to Dehra and had put
+Lady Helen between Lotzen and myself, with Lord Radnor on the Duke's
+left.
+
+We were a merry party.  Dehra was positively bewitching and Radnor was
+simply fascinated.  He could scarcely take his eyes from her, even when
+addressed by Lotzen; which was very little, for the Duke devoted
+himself very assiduously to Lady Helen.  So I was remitted to Lady
+Radnor, who was about the most tiresomely uninteresting mortal it had
+been my misfortune to know--a funeral service was an extravaganza in
+comparison to her talk.  In Washington, my rank had never entitled me
+to a seat at her side at dinner; and many was the time I had chaffed
+Courtney, or some other unfortunate, who had been so stranded beside
+Her Ponderousness.  To-night, however, my turn was come, and Courtney
+was getting his revenge.
+
+My only solace were the occasional smiles that Dehra gave me--smiles
+that Courtney noted instantly and, I fancied, understood; and that
+Lotzen intercepted; but what he thought I did not know and did not
+care.  Who ever cares what his defeated rival thinks!
+
+We had been there for, possibly, half an hour when, happening to glance
+outward, I saw Madeline Spencer and an elderly woman, and the man who
+had been in the box with her, coming slowly down the Garden.  It
+chanced that a table near us had just been vacated and they were shown
+to it by the head-waiter, whose excessive obsequiousness proved the
+size of his tip.
+
+Mrs. Spencer gave our party a single quick glance, as she drew off her
+gloves, and then fell to conversing with her companions.
+
+All this I had noted out of the corner of my eye, as it were.  I had
+not the least doubt she had recognized me at the Opera, and I did not
+intend to give her a chance to speak to me--which I knew she would try
+to do, the Pittsburgh experience notwithstanding, if she thought it
+might further her present plans or pleasures.
+
+Lotzen, however, had been drinking rather freely and was not so chary
+with his glances.  Indeed, he stared so frankly that Lady Helen did not
+hesitate to prod him about it.
+
+"I would take her to be an American," I heard him say.
+
+"Without a doubt," Lady Helen answered.
+
+Inwardly, I consigned the Spencer woman to perdition.  They would be
+interrogating me about her, next; and I did not know just how to
+answer.  I would have to admit knowing her; that would only whet their
+curiosity and bring further questions.  To tell the whole story was
+absurd--and, yet, only a little of it would leave a rather unpleasant
+inference against me.  At any rate, on Dehra's account, I did not want
+the matter discussed.
+
+I could feel Lotzen's glance, and I knew he was waiting only for a
+break in Lady Radnor's discourse.  I gave him as much of my back as
+possible, and encouraged her to proceed.  She was on the Tenement House
+problem; but I had no idea what she was advocating, in particular.  I
+did not care.  All I wanted was talk--talk--talk.  And, whenever she
+showed signs of slowing up, I flung in a word and spurred her on again.
+
+And she responded nobly; and I marvelled at her staying powers--at Lord
+Radnor's fortitude through so many years--at Lady Helen being the child
+of such a mother.  But, all the time, I was conscious of Lotzen
+waiting--waiting--waiting.  I could hear his voice and Lady Helen's
+merry laugh, yet I knew nothing but the ending of the supper and the
+breaking of the party, with Lady Radnor still riding her hobby, would
+save me from the question.  I threw in another remark to keep her
+going.  It was fatal.
+
+Lord Radnor heard it; and, catching his wife's reply, I saw him frown.
+
+"Lord bless us!" he exclaimed to the Princess and Courtney, "we must
+rescue His Highness--Lady Radnor is on the Tenement problem."
+
+I tried to signal Courtney to keep Radnor occupied; but he did not
+understand, and only smiled and whispered something to the Princess.
+Then Lord Radnor caught his wife's eye and the old lady's discourse
+ended abruptly.
+
+"I fear I weary Your Royal Highness," she said.
+
+"On the contrary, I am deeply interested," I assured her.  "Pray
+continue."
+
+Her glance wandered eagerly across the table, but she got no
+encouragement from the Ambassador.
+
+"Your Highness is very gracious," she said, "and, sometime, if you are
+so minded, I shall gladly show you the late reports from the London
+Society."
+
+I dared not urge her further; Lord Radnor would have suspected me of
+making sport of his wife.  So I cudgelled my brain for some other
+subject to talk up with her.  Of course, I failed to find it instantly,
+and, in the momentary silence, Lotzen's opportunity came.
+
+"Armand," he said, leaning a bit forward, "Lady Helen and I have been
+discussing the woman in black, yonder--the pretty one.  We take her to
+be an American--what is your opinion?"
+
+The whole table heard the question, and every one looked at the
+lady--either immediately or when they could do it with proper
+discretion.
+
+"You mean the woman with the elderly couple, just near us?" I asked,
+glancing thither, and so on around to the Princess, who met me with a
+smile.
+
+"The same," said Lotzen.
+
+"You're quite right," said I; "she is an American."
+
+"You know her?" he asked.
+
+"I used to know her."
+
+He hesitated a moment--and, of course, everyone waited.  "Couldn't you
+still know her enough to present me?" he asked.
+
+I shook my head.  "You would be most unfortunate in your sponsor," I
+answered.
+
+He smiled indulgently.  "I'll risk it," he said.
+
+"But, maybe, I won't," I answered.
+
+His smile broadened.  "Come, come, cousin mine," he said; "don't be
+selfish with the lady."
+
+I smiled blandly back at him, though my hand itched to strike him in
+the face.
+
+"My dear Duke," I said, "you forget I may not yet have had time to
+acquire certain of the--dilettante accomplishments of Royalty."
+
+His expression changed instantly.  "I beg your pardon, Armand," he
+said, "I was only joking."
+
+I saw Courtney glance at Lady Helen and slowly shut one eye.  He knew,
+as did I, that Lotzen lied.
+
+"There is naught to pardon, cousin," I said.  "We both were joking."
+
+Then Lady Helen came to my relief.
+
+"But there is considerable for Her Royal Highness and me to pardon,"
+she said.
+
+"Yes," said I, "there is."
+
+"I take all the blame," Lotzen interrupted.  "I alone am guilty;
+proceed with the judgment."
+
+"What shall it be?" said Lady Helen to the Princess.
+
+Dehra shrugged her pretty shoulders and raised her hands expressively.
+
+"The only punishment that fits the crime is to deprive the Duke of
+Lotzen of all wine for the rest of the evening."
+
+It seemed to me the Duke winced.
+
+"Your Highness is severe," he said.
+
+She looked him straight in the eyes.  "On the contrary, cousin, I am
+kind to put it so--and you know it."
+
+But Lotzen's equanimity was not to be disturbed.  He smiled with
+engaging frankness.
+
+"The Queen can do no wrong," he said, and bowed over the table.
+
+Just then, Madeline Spencer arose and I breathed a sigh of relief--she
+was going.  The next instant I almost gasped.  Instead of going, she
+came swiftly toward us--passed the low bank of plants--and straight to
+me.
+
+I arose--all the men arose--and bowed stiffly.  She hesitated and
+seemed a bit embarrassed--then, suddenly, held out her hand to me.
+
+"I am afraid, Armand," she said, "you are not glad to see me."
+
+Armand!  Armand!  Lord, what nerve!  A rush of sharp anger almost
+choked me, yet I tried to look at her only in calm interrogation.
+
+"I think, Mrs. Spencer," I said, just touching her hand, "almost every
+man is glad to see a pretty woman."
+
+She gave me a look of surprise; then, threw up her head, disdainfully.
+
+"You called me 'Mrs. Spencer'?" she asked.
+
+I looked at her in surprise.  "I was not aware you had changed your
+name," I answered.
+
+She took a step backward.  "You were not aware of what?" she exclaimed.
+
+"That you were no longer Mrs. Spencer," I said--a trifle curtly, maybe.
+I thought she was playing for a presentation to the Princess and I had
+no intention of gratifying her, even if I had to be rude to her
+deliberately.
+
+She passed her hand across her brow and stared at me incredulously.  I
+turned half aside and glanced around the table.  Every face but three
+showed blank amazement.  Of those three, the Princess's wore a tolerant
+smile; Lotzen's a frown; but Courtney's was set in almost a sneer.
+And, at it, I marvelled.  Later, I understood; he had, by some queer
+intuition, guessed what was to follow.
+
+When I came back to Mrs. Spencer her expression had changed.  The
+incredulous look was gone; bright anger flamed, instead.
+
+"Do you still persist, sir, that you do not know my rightful name?" she
+demanded.
+
+From my previous acquaintance with the lady I knew she was working
+herself into a passion; though, why, I could not imagine.
+
+"My dear Madame," I said, "why such pother over such a trifle?  If your
+name be, no longer, Madeline Spencer, tell me what it is.  I shall be
+profoundly glad to call you by it--or any name than Spencer," I added.
+
+She felt the thrust and her eyes answered it.  Then, suddenly, she
+turned and faced those at the table.
+
+"Your pardon," she said, speaking straight at Lord Radnor, "will you
+tell me if this man here"--waving her hand toward me--"is Major Armand
+Dalberg?"
+
+Lord Radnor bowed.  "That gentleman is His Royal Highness the Grand
+Duke Armand of Valeria," he said.
+
+"Erstwhile, Major of Engineers in the American Army?" she asked.
+
+"I believe so, Madame," said his Lordship, stiffly.
+
+"Thank you," she said.  "And now----"
+
+But I broke in.  "Madame," I said sharply, "you have presumed beyond
+forbearance.  Major Moore, will you escort the lady to her companions."
+
+Moore stepped forward and, bowing very low, offered his arm.  Like a
+flash, her face changed and she met him with a smile.
+
+"Just a moment, if you please," she said, with softest accents.  Then,
+with studied deliberation, she turned her back on me and swept the
+Princess an elaborate courtesy.
+
+"Your Royal Highness may pardon my intrusion," she said, "when I tell
+you that I am Armand Dalberg's wife----  Now, Major Moore, I am ready,"
+and she put her hand upon his arm.
+
+But Moore never moved.  Instead, he looked at me for orders.
+
+Language is utterly inadequate to describe my feelings at that moment;
+so I shall not try.  Imagination is better than words.  I know I had an
+almost uncontrollable impulse for violence--and I fancy Courtney feared
+it, for he stepped quickly over and put his hand on my shoulder.
+
+"Thank you, old man," I said.  Then I looked at the Princess.
+
+She was leaning carelessly back in her chair, watching the Spencer
+woman through half-closed eyes--a bright flush on each cheek and: a
+faint smile, half sneer, half amusement, on her lips.  Suddenly she
+looked at me, and the smile flashed out into such an one as she had
+given me in the Royal Box.
+
+My heart gave a great bound--I knew she trusted me, still.  I turned to
+the woman in black.
+
+"Is it possible, Madame, that you claim to be my wife?" I asked.
+
+She dropped Moore's arm and took a step toward me--and, as I live,
+there were tears in her eyes.
+
+"What has changed you, Armand?" she asked.  "Why do you flout me so?"
+
+I stared at her.  "God help me, woman, you must be crazy!" I said.
+
+She put out her hand appealingly.  "You don't mean that, dear, surely?"
+And, now, the tears were in her voice, too.
+
+"What I mean, Madame, is that you are either crazy or playing some
+game," I answered curtly.
+
+She brushed aside the tears and gave me a look of almost heart-broken
+appeal.
+
+"Why do you deny me, Armand?" she cried.  "Have I grown ugly in the
+last few months?  Has the beauty you used to praise turned so soon to
+ashes?"
+
+Unfortunately, for me, her beauty had not turned to ashes.  She was, at
+that very moment, the handsomest woman I had ever seen--save only the
+Princess.  The slender figure--the magnificent neck and shoulders--the
+roll upon roll of jet-black hair--the almost classic face--and all in
+distress and trouble.
+
+She was a picture, surely; and one that was making its impression;
+judging from the faces of Lord and Lady Radnor.  I changed my manner.
+
+"My dear Mrs. Spencer," I said kindly, "no one may deny your
+beauty--and I, least of all.  But I do deny that I am your husband.
+You are, evidently, ill, and laboring under some queer hallucination."
+
+She shook her head.  "You know perfectly well, Armand, I am not ill nor
+under a delusion," she said, and looked me straight in the eyes.
+
+"Then, Madame, you are a wonderful--actress," I answered.
+
+Again the tears welled up, and one trickled slowly down her cheek.  She
+turned quickly and made as though to go.  But Courtney stayed her.
+
+"My dear Madame," he said, with that gracious courtesy of his, which I
+have never seen equalled by courtier of any Court, "may I ask you a
+question?"
+
+She inclined her head in answer and waited.
+
+"You have claimed a Royal Duke of Valeria as your husband, and he has
+denied the claim.  It is a most serious matter.  It was done in the
+presence of many witnesses, and your words, or some of them, were,
+doubtless, overheard by those at nearby tables.  The Capital will be
+full of the affair; and the results may be most unfortunate for you,
+and for His Highness.  I am the American Ambassador; here is the
+Ambassador of His Majesty of England; and, yonder, is His Royal
+Highness the Grand Duke Lotzen, Heir Presumptive to the Valerian
+Throne----"
+
+"Your speech is long, sir," she said; "please come to the question."
+
+Courtney bowed.  "I was but trying to explain why I ventured to meddle
+in Madame's business," he said.
+
+She smiled wearily.  "Your pardon, Monsieur; pray proceed."
+
+"The question I want to ask is this," said Courtney: "Will you not tell
+us when and where you became the wife of Armand Dalberg?"
+
+"Yes, Monsieur, and gladly--and I thank you for the thought.  I was
+married to Armand Dalberg--then a Major in the American Army--on the
+twenty-first day of last December in the City of New York."
+
+(That was only two months before I had sailed for Valeria; and I had
+been in New York that very day.)
+
+"And by whom, pray?" I exclaimed.
+
+"By the official you provided," was the curt reply.  Then, to Courtney,
+she added: "I don't recall his name but my certificate shows it, I
+suppose."
+
+"And you have the certificate with you?" he asked.
+
+"It is somewhere among my luggage.  If you care to see it I shall try
+to find it to-morrow."
+
+"Thank you, Madame," Courtney answered.
+
+Then Lotzen took a hand.
+
+"Will Madame permit me, also, to ask her a question?" he said.
+
+"Certainly, Your Highness," she answered, and would have curtsied had
+he not waved her up.
+
+"Was the marriage secret?" he asked.
+
+The answer was instant: "It was private but not secret."
+
+"Then, why is it that Major Dalberg's record in the War office in
+Washington makes no mention of this marriage?  I happen to know it does
+not."
+
+"I do not know," she answered, rather tartly.  "It was not, I assume,
+my duty to report it."
+
+"And, further, Madame," Lotzen continued.  "If Major Dalberg were lucky
+enough to marry you, why, in Heaven's name, should he deny you within a
+few short months?"
+
+"I might guess one of the reasons," she answered languidly--and let her
+eyes rest upon the Princess.
+
+And Dehra laughed in her face.
+
+Lotzen shrugged his shoulders and was silent.
+
+"Are there any more questions, Messieurs?" she asked.
+
+No one answered.
+
+"Then, with your permission, I will obey my husband's orders and
+withdraw," she said mockingly.  "Major Moore, your arm."
+
+When she was gone, Lotzen turned to me and held out his hand.
+
+"I'm with you, Armand," he said heartily.  "She's no wife of yours,
+certificate to the contrary notwithstanding."
+
+I thanked him gratefully--the more so since it was so totally
+unexpected.  Then, without giving the others an opportunity to express
+their opinion (they would, of course, have been constrained to agree
+with the Heir Presumptive; all except the Princess, and, of her, I had
+no doubt) and addressing, particularly, the Radnors, I said:
+
+"The supper is spoiled beyond repair, I fear, but I shall ask you to go
+on with it, for I wish to acquaint you with some facts in the life of
+the woman who claims me as her husband."
+
+"We are quite ready to accept Your Highness's simple denial," said Lord
+Radnor.
+
+"I prefer you hear my story first," I answered.
+
+Then I told them, in detail, what I had only outlined to the Princess,
+concerning Madeline Spencer.  When I had finished, Lord Radnor shook
+his grey head gravely.
+
+"His Highness of Lotzen is quite right," he said.  "You never married
+that woman.  Either she is a blackmailer or she is doing this in pure
+revenge.  What's your notion, Courtney?"
+
+"The marriage story is, of course, a pure lie," said Courtney, "but,
+there, I quit.  I never try to guess a woman's purpose--and a pretty
+woman's least of all."
+
+"God bless me, man!" Radnor exclaimed; "for a bachelor you are wondrous
+wise."
+
+"Maybe that's why he is a bachelor," said Lady Helen.
+
+"But even the wise get foolish at times," I said--and smiled at her.
+And she made a face at me behind her fan.
+
+Then the Princess arose and, taking Lord Radnor's arm, she led the way
+down the garden.  I came last with Lady Radnor.  When we reached the
+exit Dehra insisted upon waiting until the Radnors and Courtney had
+gone.  She was, she said, helping me do the honors.  Then, when her own
+carriage was at the door, she turned to the Countess Giska.
+
+"His Highness will drive with me," she said.  "Major Moore, will you
+escort the Countess?"
+
+"But, Dehra----" I protested.
+
+She was in the brougham, now.
+
+"You will not permit me to drive alone to the Palace," she said.
+
+"But, Dehra----" I began again.
+
+She reached over and took my hand.
+
+Still I hesitated.
+
+"Come, sweetheart," she said softly.
+
+I could resist no longer.  I sprang in; the door slammed, and we were
+alone together.
+
+No, not alone, either.  The Spencer woman was there with us--before
+us--all around us.  "I am Armand Dalberg's wife" was pounding in my
+brain.
+
+Then I felt a soft little hand slip into mine; a perfumed hair tress
+touched my cheek; and the sweetest voice, to me, on earth whispered in
+my ear.
+
+"Don't I get my kiss now?"
+
+I flung my arm about her and caught her close--then loosed her sharply
+and drew back.
+
+"God help me, Dehra, I may not," I said.
+
+She laughed softly, and again she found my hand--and I felt her hair
+brush my face--and her body rest against my shoulder.
+
+"Why, Armand?" she asked.  "Why may you not kiss your betrothed?"
+
+"Because," said I, "because----"
+
+"Yes, dear, go on," she whispered.
+
+I drew my hand away from hers.  "Did you not hear that woman claim me
+as her husband?" I said.
+
+But she only pressed the closer.  I was in the very corner of the
+carriage now; I could retreat no farther.  And, maybe, I was glad.  I
+think I was.
+
+"But that's no reason," she insisted.  "You are not her husband."
+
+"You believe that, dear?" I cried.
+
+She put her arms about my neck and kissed me, almost fiercely, on the
+lips--then, suddenly, drew back and, with both hands pressed against my
+breast, she viewed me at arm's length.
+
+"Believe it?" she said; "believe it?  I never believed anything else."
+
+I took her hands and reverently touched them to my forehead--then, held
+them tight.
+
+"After all these years, God would not send you to me just to mock my
+prayers," she added.
+
+"But the certificate!" I objected.
+
+"A lie or a forgery," she said scornfully.
+
+I drew her head upon my shoulder.  "Sweetheart," I whispered; "may I
+kiss you, now?"
+
+She lifted her dear face and looked up into mine with glistening eyes,
+her lips half parted.  My own eyes, too, were wet, I think.
+
+"Yes, Armand--now and always," she answered.
+
+And, so I held her, for a moment; then, bent and kissed her.  And that
+kiss is on my lips this instant, and will be until they numb in death.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+HER WORD AND HER CERTIFICATE
+
+If any man--having lived a bachelor to early middle life, has then found
+his ideal, and has been, unexpectedly and undeservedly, favored with her
+love, and then, within two hours thereafter and in her very presence, has
+been claimed by another woman as her husband--that man will be able to
+appreciate something of my state of mind.  No one else could, so it is
+not worth while attempting to describe it.
+
+I admit I lay awake most of the night trying to determine how to meet the
+Spencer woman's attack.  And I had reached no satisfactory decision when
+I went down to breakfast.
+
+The formal ceremony of my taking over the Governorship of Dornlitz was
+fixed for noon.  I would be occupied the remainder of the afternoon at
+headquarters; and then, in the evening, I was to give a dinner to the
+ranking military officers in the Capital.  I wanted to get some plan of
+action arranged at once and, feeling the need of clear-headed counsel, I
+dispatched Bernheim to the American Embassy with a request that Courtney
+join me immediately.  I had just finished my meal when he was announced,
+and we repaired to my private cabinet.
+
+The top paper on my desk was the report of the Secret Police upon "The
+occupants of the third box on the right," which I had ordered the
+previous evening.  I carried it to Courtney and we read it together.  It
+was long and detailed and covered all the movements of the trio since
+their entry into Dornlitz.
+
+In effect it was: That the elderly couple were only chance acquaintances
+of the younger woman, having met her on the train en route from Paris;
+that they had reached the Capital the previous day and had registered at
+the Hotel Metzen as "Mr. and Mrs. James Bacon, New York City," and "Mrs.
+Armand Dalberg and maid, Washington, D. C.;" that the Mrs. Dalberg had
+remained in her apartments until evening, had then dined in the public
+dining room with the Bacons, and the three had then gone to the Opera;
+that no callers had been received by any of them, so far as known by the
+hotel's officials; that, after the Opera, they had been driven directly
+to the hotel and had gone into the Hanging Garden and had taken a table;
+that, presently, the one known as Mrs. Dalberg had intruded upon certain
+personages of high rank, who were at a near-by table; that, after a
+rather prolonged discussion, she had been escorted back to her
+companions, the Bacons (who had, meanwhile, remained at their table) by
+an Aide-de-Camp of one of the high personages; that the lady in question
+and the Bacons, very shortly thereafter, retired to their apartments.  At
+six A. M.--when the report was dated--they were still in their respective
+apartments.
+
+I flung the report on the desk.
+
+"Damn that woman!" I exclaimed.
+
+Courtney sat down, and the inevitable cigarette case came out.
+
+"That's scarcely emphatic enough, my dear boy," he said.  "Go into the
+next room and cut loose a bit."
+
+"I've nothing else to cut loose with," I replied.  "I used up everything,
+last night."
+
+"Good," said he.  "If the pressure is off, you are in shape to think."
+
+I shook my head.  "No, I'm not--that's why I sent for you--to do the
+thinking."
+
+He picked up the Police report.  "I'm glad she registered as Mrs. Armand
+Dalberg," he said.
+
+"The devil you are!" I exclaimed.
+
+He nodded.  "The first problem to solve is: What motive this woman has in
+proclaiming herself your wife.  There are only two motives possible, I
+think, and this registry utterly eliminates one of them."
+
+"You mean it is not blackmail," I said.
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"And the other motive?"
+
+"Revenge."
+
+"Oh, no," I said; "that woman didn't come from America to Dornlitz simply
+for revenge."
+
+"Very good," said Courtney.  "Then, the motive is not hers and we must
+look elsewhere for it."
+
+"If you mean she is only a tool," said I, "that is almost as unlikely as
+revenge."
+
+"On the contrary, why couldn't it be both--and, also, a big pile of
+money?" he asked.
+
+"Because," said I, "she would balk at the notoriety."
+
+Courtney laughed.  "Good, yellow gold, and plenty of it, is a wonderful
+persuader."
+
+"Come," said I; "what's your guess in the matter?"
+
+He tossed aside his cigarette and leaned a bit forward in his chair.
+
+"The lady has been purchased by someone to come here and pose as your
+wife; the moving consideration to her was enough cash to make her
+independently rich and the pleasure of thus being able to square off with
+you, on her own account.  That's my guess--and I fancy it's yours too,"
+he ended.
+
+I laughed.  "Yes," said I; "it is.  I spent the night over the mix and
+that's the best solution I could make."
+
+Courtney lit a fresh cigarette, "Of course, it's Lotzen," said he.  "And
+a very clever plot it is.  No Princess and no Crown for you, my boy,
+until this Madame Armand Dalberg is eliminated--and, maybe, not even
+then."
+
+"Your 'then' is the only rift in the cloud," said I.  "Eliminate the
+Spencer woman, and, I think, I can manage."
+
+He looked at me questioningly.
+
+"Her Highness was very gracious to me last night," I explained--and I
+felt my face getting red.
+
+Courtney got up and came over to me,
+
+"Is it up to a hand-shake, old man?" he asked.
+
+I nodded, and we gripped fingers.
+
+"It would have been up to the King, to-morrow, but for this miserable
+wife business," said I.
+
+"Good!" he exclaimed.  "Lotzen does not hold all the cards--you've got a
+few trumps, too.  It will be a pretty game."
+
+"For the spectators," I supplemented.
+
+"For you, too; when you get into the swing of it."
+
+"I wish I had your happy way of viewing things," I said.
+
+He laughed.  "Oh, it's easy to view some other fellow's affairs happily.
+That is why a friend's advice is usually serviceable."
+
+I took a pipe and began to fill it.  "It's that advice I want," I said.
+
+He was silent for a space.  I smoked and waited.
+
+"I suppose you had no opportunity to talk with the Princess after the
+supper, last night?" he said.
+
+I smiled.  "I drove with her to the Palace."
+
+"Alone?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Yes--she ordered me in with her and sent the Countess with Moore."
+
+He sat up sharply.  "Gad!  Major, she's a treasure!" he exclaimed.  "That
+tells me what I want to know: she has measured the Spencer woman's story."
+
+"Both story and certificate," said I.  "She says the one is a lie and the
+other a forgery."
+
+He raised his hand emphatically.  "My dear fellow," he said, sternly, "if
+you didn't get down on your knees, last night, and thank the good God for
+that brave girl up yonder in the Palace, you deserve to lose her--and I
+shall go over to Lotzen's side, myself."
+
+"Well," said I, "I didn't.  I was too busy thinking about and praising
+her."
+
+"That's the same thing," he said.  "I'll stay with you."
+
+I got up and bowed.
+
+"Thank you, Your Excellency," I said.
+
+Then we both smiled.
+
+"It's queer," said Courtney, "how, even in the most embarrassing
+difficulties, a woman's love makes a man's heart light."
+
+I nodded.  I was thinking of the drive to the Palace.
+
+Courtney's laugh aroused me.  "Come out of the brougham," he called.
+
+"That is where I was," I admitted.
+
+"The next thing," said he, "is to see that marriage certificate."
+
+"If there be one," I questioned.
+
+"There is one--of that you may be sure."
+
+"She offered to show it to you, to-day," said I.  "Call her bluff."
+
+"I'm going to accept her offer, when I leave here.  And, what's more, I
+shall see the certificate," he said.  "This plot has been too well laid
+for the essentials to have been overlooked.  I'll bet a twenty you were
+in New York City on the twenty-first of last December."
+
+"Yes," said I, "I was.  So it's up to proving the certificate a forgery."
+
+He shook his head.  "I fear we shall find it a perfectly regular
+certificate."
+
+"You mean," said I, "that they have bribed some official to make a false
+record?"
+
+"Just that."
+
+"Then, if the woman, the official and the records all convict me, how am
+I to prove my innocence?" I demanded.
+
+"By waiting for the enemy to make a blunder.  They have already made one
+which results delightfully for you."
+
+"I reckon I'm a trifle thick-headed, Courtney," I said.  "You'll have to
+explain."
+
+"Never mind the head, old man; it will be all right to-morrow.  Their
+blunder is in having unwittingly sprung their trap on the very evening
+the Princess and you came to an understanding.  Had they been even a few
+hours earlier you would not have dared to speak of love to her--and so
+you might not have had the King's daughter as a special advocate.  On the
+other hand, had they waited a day longer, your betrothal would,
+doubtless, have received Frederick's approval, and have been formally
+proclaimed.  How embarrassing, then, to the Princess; how intensely
+irritating to the King, and how particularly injurious to you in the eyes
+of the nation--the people would think you won her under false colors;
+and, though you proved your innocence a hundred times, the taint would
+always linger."
+
+"You're right, Courtney," I exclaimed; "right as Gospel."
+
+"Now, see how lucky you are: You have the Princess--you are sure of her
+and no one knows it.  You go to the King, to-day; tell him the whole
+story of the Princess and you, and of this Spencer woman's claim and
+history.  Ask him to suspend judgment until you can establish the falsity
+of her charge.  If I know Frederick, you need have no fear of his answer."
+
+"It's the only course," said I; "but, first, I would like to know the
+facts as to that certificate."
+
+Courtney arose.  "You shall have a copy of it before candle-light," he
+said.  "Where can I see you, if there is anything of my interview with
+the lady I think you need to know?"
+
+"I'll be here at six o'clock," said I.
+
+"Very good--and, of course, not a word to-night to the King as to Lotzen.
+Let him guess that for himself."
+
+"Trust me," I answered; "I'm getting more awake."
+
+Then I sent for Moore.  "Colonel Moore," I said (as Aide to a Field
+Marshal he was entitled to a Colonelcy, and had been gazetted to it in
+the orders of the previous evening), "has the scene in the Garden, last
+night, become public talk?"
+
+"I fear so, sir," he replied.
+
+"Come, no sugar--out with it."
+
+"Well, Your Highness, the town rings with it.  It's the sensation of the
+hour."
+
+"Good," said I.  "The more they talk, to-day, the less they will talk,
+to-morrow."
+
+I paused, and looked him over.  He was a thorough-bred; clean-cut,
+handsome, manly.  I never saw a finer figure than he made in his blue and
+white uniform.
+
+"Now, why wasn't the lady sensible, Colonel, and marry herself to you
+instead of to me?" I asked.
+
+He fairly jumped.  "God forbid," he exclaimed.  Then, he laughed.
+"Besides, I'm thinking, sir, it wasn't looks she was after."
+
+I laughed, too.  "Go 'long with you," I said; "you deserve court-martial."
+
+Then I sent him to the King with the request to be received at seven
+o'clock.  He also carried a note to the Princess, telling her I would
+call at six thirty.
+
+In due time, he returned: The King would receive me at the hour named.
+The Princess, however, sent her reply by a footman.  It was a note; and,
+except that I was expected for sure at _six thirty_, it is quite
+unnecessary to give its contents.  They were not intended for general
+circulation.  I might say, however, that the note was eminently
+satisfactory to me, and that I read it more than once.  And it was in the
+inside pocket of my coat when I rode across to Headquarters to assume my
+new authority.
+
+The ceremony was very brief.  The retiring Governor, Marshal Perdez, with
+an Aide, met me at the causeway and escorted me to the large audience
+chamber, where His Majesty's formal order was read.  Perdez then
+presented his staff, and the doors were thrown open and I received the
+officers of the Army and Navy on duty at the Capital.  It was all over in
+an hour, and I was alone in my office with Bernheim.
+
+I walked over to a window and stood there, in wondering reflection.
+
+Less than three months ago, I was simply a Major in the American Army,
+with small hope of ever getting beyond a Colonel's eagles.  The "Star"
+was so utterly unlikely that I never even considered the possibility.  It
+was only a rainbow or a mirage; and I was not given to chasing either.
+
+And, to-day, I looked down on the crowded Alta Avenue of Dornlitz--then,
+up at the portrait of my Sovereign--then, down at my uniform, with a
+Marshal's Insignia on the sleeve and the Princess Royal's note in the
+pocket.
+
+What mirage could have pictured such realities!  What rainbow could have
+appeared more dazzlingly evanescent!
+
+Then I saw a Victoria approaching.  And in it was the Spencer
+woman--brilliantly beautiful--haughtily indifferent.  The passers-by
+stared at her; men stopped and gazed after; even women threw glances over
+their shoulders.  And small wonder--for, the Devil knows, she was good to
+look upon.
+
+As she came opposite me she looked up and our eyes met.  I gave no
+greeting, you may be sure; but she leaned forward sharply and smiled and
+waved her hand.  I gritted my teeth, and would have stepped back, but the
+crowd, following her direction, caught sight of me and a faint cheer went
+up.  The men took off their hats and the women fluttered their kerchiefs.
+I bowed to them and saluted with my hand.
+
+"Damn her!" I said, not knowing I spoke audibly.  Then I remembered
+Bernheim; he was standing at another window.
+
+"Colonel," said I, "did you see that woman in the Victoria?"
+
+His heels came together with a click.  "Yes, Your Highness.
+
+"Have you heard of the occurrence in the Hanging Garden, last night?"
+
+"Yes, Your Highness."
+
+"Well, that's the lady," said I.  "What do you think of her?"
+
+He hesitated.
+
+"Speak out," I said.
+
+"I think it is absolutely incomprehensible how such a woman would lend
+herself to Lotzen's plot," he answered, instantly.
+
+I looked at him in vast surprise.
+
+"So, you have guessed it," I said.
+
+"I know Lotzen, Your Highness."
+
+I motioned to a chair.  "Sit down," I said.
+
+Then I told him the whole story--saving only so much as concerned the
+Princess individually.  He was plainly pleased at my confidence--and I
+learned many things from him, that afternoon, which opened my eyes
+concerning some of the Court officials and Ministers.
+
+It was exactly six o'clock when Courtney was announced.  Even as he came
+into the room, he drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.
+
+"A copy of the certificate," he said.
+
+I read it very carefully.  In effect, it certified that Patrick McGuire,
+an Alderman of the City of New York, had, on the twenty-first day of
+December, 190--, in that City, in the presence of John Edwards of said
+City, united in marriage Armand Dalberg, Major, U. S. Army, and Madeline
+Spencer, widow, of Washington, D. C.; there appearing, after due inquiry
+made, to be no legal impediment thereto; and the parties thereto having
+proven, on oath, their identity and their legal age.
+
+"Well, I'm not a lawyer," said I, in disgust; "but this thing sounds
+pretty strong.  I fancy it is about as close as I shall ever come to
+reading my own obituary."
+
+"It's more than strong," said Courtney: "it's in strict conformity with
+the New York law.
+
+"But, the license," I objected.
+
+"None is required in New York."
+
+I threw up my hands.  "You saw the original certificate?" I asked.
+
+"Yes.  The lady, herself, had gone out, but had left it with her maid.
+And I have not the least doubt of its genuineness."
+
+"Then, we are up to Alderman Patrick McGuire," I said.
+
+"I cabled at noon to Washington asking the Department to obtain,
+immediately, full information as to his character and reputation."
+
+"Courtney, you're a wonder," I said.
+
+"I'm glad you approve," he answered.  "I thought it well to move at once,
+so the inquiry could be in New York early this morning; and, even if it
+took the whole day to investigate, the answer should be here by midnight
+at the latest."
+
+Just then, there was a knock on the door and a footman entered.
+
+"For His Excellency, the American Ambassador," he said, and handed
+Courtney an envelope.
+
+"Here it is, now," he said.  "Cosgrove has hurried it to me."
+
+Crossing to my desk he ran a knife under the flap and drew out a
+cablegram, glanced at it an instant, then, gave it to me without comment.
+
+It was in cipher, of course; but, below it, Cosgrove had written the
+translation.  It read:
+
+
+"Individual named was killed last week by car at Twenty-third Street and
+Broadway.  Character and reputation only ordinary.  Integrity very
+doubtful.  A professional ward politician."
+
+
+"So," said I.  "Exit the Alderman.  It's a crying pity that car didn't
+get in its work four months ago."
+
+"Let us be thankful for what it did do, last week."
+
+"One lying mouth stopped," said I.
+
+He nodded.  "And only an inferior reputation left to bolster up his
+certificate."
+
+I looked again at the copy.  "I wonder if that car, by any possibility,
+might have hit Witness, John Edwards, too?"
+
+Courtney smiled.  "It's dollars to nickels the same blow killed them
+both."
+
+"Then, it's my word against hers and the certificate."
+
+"Not exactly.  It's her word, her beauty and the certificate against your
+word, its corroborating circumstances and her history."
+
+"That sounds logical," said I; "and yet, in fact, if there were nothing
+but her word it would still win out for Lotzen.  I may not marry the
+Princess so long as another woman claims to be my wife."
+
+Courtney frowned.  "But, if you prove her a liar by cold facts?"
+
+"It will not suffice," said I.  "All doubt must be removed.  She must
+admit her--error."
+
+He raised his eyebrows, and out came the cigarette case.
+
+"Then, do you appreciate that, until she does, you will have the
+disagreeable duty of preventing her from departing the Capital--certainly
+the Kingdom?"
+
+"Practically that," I admitted.  "I have already directed that she be not
+permitted to leave Dornlitz."
+
+He shook his head.  "There, you send me over to the Enemy.  If she appeal
+to the Embassy I may not suffer her to be restrained.  She is an American
+subject."
+
+"Not at all," said I.  "If she be my wife, she is a subject of His
+Majesty, Frederick the Third."
+
+"Come, Major, that's not half bad," he laughed.  "And I'll stand on it,
+too.  So long as the lady claims to be the wife of a Grand Duke of
+Valeria, the American Ambassador will absolutely decline to interfere in
+her behalf."
+
+"She may get powerfully tired of having me for a husband," I observed.
+
+He studied the smoke-rings a bit.
+
+"I wonder just how far it would be well for you to play the husband?" he
+mused.
+
+"What's that?" I almost shouted.
+
+"I mean, how far would she be willing to go in this wife business?"
+
+"God knows--but the whole way, I fancy."
+
+"Would it be worth while to bluff her by pretending to acknowledge her
+claim and, then, inviting her to take her place at the head of your
+establishment?"
+
+"Acknowledge her!  Not for the millionth of a second."
+
+"Oh, I mean only before witnesses who understood the scheme."
+
+"You don't know the lady, Courtney," I answered.  "She would call the
+bluff instantly--and do it so well the witnesses, themselves, would be
+deceived and turned against me."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Lotzen seems to be uncommonly lucky in his
+leading woman," he observed.
+
+"The Devil usually helps his own," said I.
+
+Then, I hastened to the Palace.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+THE PRINCESS ROYAL SITS AS JUDGE
+
+Dehra was alone in her library, and she came forward with both hands
+extended.
+
+"It has been a long day, Armand," she said.
+
+I took her hands and kissed first one and then the other.
+
+"Yes, dear one, it has been a long day," I said.
+
+I led her to a chair and stood before her.  She held up her hands and
+regarded them critically.  Then she looked up at me with quizzical eyes.
+
+"You like my hands?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"Better than my lips?"
+
+"No, dear."
+
+"Well, one might think so.  But, if you don't, then sir, I'm waiting."
+Her peremptoriness was very sweet.
+
+I had gone there determined to take no lover's privileges until the
+cloud I was under had been removed.  But, what would you!  I was not
+stone, nor ice--and, no more was the Princess.
+
+"You are a very imperious little sweetheart," I said, and kissed her;
+and whether once or twice or oftener does not matter.
+
+She drew me down on the arm of the chair.
+
+"I know what was in your mind, dear," she said; "and it's very good of
+you; yet, we settled all that last night.  I don't care a rap for that
+woman."
+
+I let my fingers stray softly through her hair.
+
+"Not even if she have legal proof I am her husband?" I asked.
+
+"You mean that certificate," she cut in.  "Have you seen it?"
+
+"Courtney has; and it's very regular and very formidable."
+
+She tossed her head sharply.
+
+"It certifies a lie.  I wouldn't believe a hundred of them."
+
+"You're a wonder, Dehra; a perfect wonder," I said.  "Why should you
+trust me so?"
+
+She looked up with one of those subduing smiles.
+
+"I don't know, dear," she said.  "I have not bothered to analyze it.
+It's enough for me that I do."
+
+"And enough for me, too, sweetheart," I said and bent and caressed her
+cheek.
+
+When I raised my head, the King was standing in the doorway.  I sprang
+up and saluted.
+
+"I assume you were not expecting me," he remarked, looking straight at
+me.
+
+"Your Majesty's logic is faultless," I replied--and I saw the Princess
+smile.
+
+He came nearer and let his eyes search my face a moment.
+
+"Can you say as much for your conduct just now, my Lord Duke?" he
+demanded.
+
+I gave him look for look.
+
+"If judged upon the true facts I can," I answered.
+
+He studied me a moment longer; then, motioned to a chair.  As I made to
+take it, Dehra caught my hand.
+
+"Sit here, Armand," she commanded, touching the arm of her own chair.
+
+I hesitated; and the King regarded her in stern surprise.  Then I
+smiled a negation and went on to the place Frederick had indicated.
+Straightway, Dehra got up and, coming behind me and leaning on the
+chair back, she put her arms about my neck.
+
+I reached up and took her hand--then, arose and stood beside her.
+
+"You see, Your Majesty," said she, with calm finality, "I know the true
+facts."
+
+For a space, Frederick's face remained absolutely expressionless; then,
+it slowly softened.
+
+"It seems to me there are a few facts which I, too, might, possibly, be
+permitted to know," he said.
+
+I breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+"It was to tell Your Majesty those very facts that I sought an
+audience, this evening," I said.
+
+Just then a clock began to chime slowly the hour.  The king waited
+until the last stroke--the seventh--had sounded, then, he nodded.
+
+"I am listening, Marshal," he said briskly.
+
+It might be that, after one has asked twelve or thirteen fathers for a
+daughter, in marriage, he has got sufficiently hardened to confront the
+fourteenth with, at least, a show of indifference; but, as this was my
+first father, I admit I was a trifle uneasy along the spine; and,
+somehow, my voice seemed to get lost in my throat, and the words were
+very reluctant in coming.  I suppose Frederick saw my embarrassment for
+he smiled broadly.
+
+"Come, Armand," he said; "pull up that chair.  I suppose we may not
+smoke here," he added; "though I think I detect the faint suggestion of
+a miserable cigarette," and he looked at the Princess.
+
+Dehra took a tiny jeweled case from somewhere about her gown and
+offered it to the King.
+
+"Will Your Majesty try a Nestor?" she said.
+
+Frederick shook his head in repugnance.
+
+"His Majesty, most certainly, will not," he said.
+
+"But His Majesty's daughter will--with his permission."
+
+Frederick laughed.  "Or, without it, if need be," he said.  "She is a
+very headstrong young woman, Armand," he observed to me.
+
+"So His Highness has already done himself the honor to tell me," said
+she airily.
+
+"Good!" said the King.  "I admire his pluck."
+
+Dehra blew a cloud of smoke at me.
+
+"So do I," she answered.
+
+Then she went over and kissed the King.
+
+"Be nice to Armand," she whispered (but loud enough, for me to hear)
+and left the room, flinging me a farewell from her finger tips, as I
+held back the portière.
+
+And Frederick continued to smile, and my courage grew proportionately.
+I came straight to the point.
+
+"May it please you, Sire," I said, "I have the honor to pray the hand
+of the Princess Royal in marriage."
+
+The King's smile faded; and his eyes travelled slowly from my head to
+my feet and back again to my head, for all the world as though I were
+on inspection-parade.
+
+I knew what was in his mind and my courage evaporated instantly.  I
+began to feel like a soldier caught with uniform awry and equipment
+tarnished.
+
+"Do you give me your word, sir, that you are free to marry her?" he
+demanded, suddenly.
+
+"On my honor, as an officer and a Dalberg," I answered.
+
+Instantly his manner changed.
+
+"That's quite enough, lad," he said.  "If the Princess wants you--and
+it would seem she does--I shall not say her nay.  Maybe, I am rather
+glad to say yes."
+
+I tried to thank him, but he would not let me.
+
+"It's a matter for the two most concerned to arrange," he declared  "I
+never did fancy these loveless royal marriages.  They are very little
+better than false ones."  Then he laughed.  "Tell me about this one of
+yours," he said, "the 'true facts' as you called them."
+
+So, I told him, in detail, of the supper in the Garden, the astonishing
+accusation of the Spencer woman, and of what I knew concerning her in
+America.  It was a long story, but Frederick's interest never dulled.
+At the end, I handed him the copy of the marriage certificate and the
+cablegram to Courtney.  He read them very carefully; then smoked
+awhile, in silence.
+
+"I suppose you have your own notion as to this woman's motive?" he said.
+
+"Yes," I answered.
+
+"Do you care to give it to me?"
+
+I let him see my hesitation.
+
+"Well, I think it is not entirely revenge," I said.
+
+"It might even be that she is only playing the cards someone else has
+dealt her," he said significantly.
+
+I smiled and made no answer.
+
+"They are mighty strong cards, Armand," he said.
+
+"And a mighty strong player holds them," I added.  "More's the pity."
+
+He nodded.  "I saw the lady this afternoon in the Park.  I rather fancy
+almost any man would be quite willing to have her claim him as her
+husband."
+
+"And, therefore, her story will be very generally accepted," I said.
+
+"Doubtless--it's far easier to accept it than to disbelieve it."
+
+"Consequently, if it please you, Sire, let my betrothal to Her Royal
+Highness remain secret until this woman's claim has been thoroughly
+disproved."
+
+Frederick thought a moment.  "You are entirely right," he said; "and,
+particularly, since, under old Henry's Decree, she would be your legal
+wife--assuming, that is, that you had married her."  Then he smiled.
+"You see, sir, the very thing you were so insistent upon, now works to
+your disadvantage.  If it were not for that Decree you could laugh at
+this woman.  I could simply pronounce her morganatic, and you would be
+quite free to marry Dehra, at once."
+
+But I shook my head.  "I must bring Dehra a clean record," I said; "and
+I have no fault to find with that Decree.  But for it, I would not be
+here--though, neither would Madame Spencer," I added inadvertently.
+
+The King stared at me.
+
+"You don't think she knows the Decree," he exclaimed.
+
+"I think she never heard of the Laws of the Dalbergs," I answered.  "I
+mean that it was my being here that brought her."
+
+Again the King smiled.
+
+"What you mean is that she would not be here but for the fact that by
+Henry's Decree she would be your lawful wife and I powerless to
+interfere."
+
+I made no answer.  I was rather anxious for him to pursue the premise
+to its conclusion.
+
+"You see where that deduction leads," he went on: "only Dehra and
+Lotzen know the Laws of our House."
+
+"I ask Your Majesty to observe that I have made no deduction," I said.
+
+He stopped short and looked at me, a moment.
+
+"Quite right," he said; "and it's proper you should not to me.  But, I
+suppose you will concede it was not the Princess."
+
+"Certainly," I agreed.
+
+"Ergo--it must have been----"
+
+"I stop at the Princess," said I.
+
+He sat silent, frowning very slightly.
+
+"If I were quite sure that Lotzen were the instigator of this plot, I
+would remove him utterly from the line of succession and banish him
+from the Kingdom."
+
+I thought it a proper time for me to be very quiet.
+
+"In the meantime, however, I shall send that infernal woman packing
+over the border by the quickest route," he said vehemently.
+
+"I trust not, Sire," I said.  "As Governor of Dornlitz, I gave orders,
+this morning, that she be not permitted to leave the Capital."
+
+"But, she's an American subject!" he exclaimed.  "She can't be held
+prisoner."
+
+"If she's my wife, she's a subject of Your Majesty."
+
+"True!  But why do you want to keep her here?"
+
+"To give time to investigate her doings since I became an Archduke," I
+said.  "I may not marry Dehra in the face of that certificate and old
+Henry's Decree; and, since the Alderman is dead, only through Madeline
+Spencer herself can the falsity of her claim be shown.  Every moment
+here she must act her part and be under our constant surveillance.
+Sometime, she is sure to make a slip or forget her lines.  But, let her
+be at large and, with plenty of funds at her command, she will be a
+will-o-the-wisp, to be followed over the world for years--and her slips
+will be few and very far between, and with no one there to note them."
+
+"Very good," said Frederick; "keep her or send her, as you see
+fit--only, don't embroil me with America, if you can avoid it."
+
+"There is no danger," I assured him.  "Courtney says he will not
+interfere, so long as she claims to be my wife."
+
+Frederick laughed.  "Courtney's a friend," he said heartily.
+
+"None better lives," I replied.
+
+He lit a fresh cigar and studied the coal, a bit.
+
+"I wish you would tell me," he said, "whether you have any evidence
+connecting Lotzen with this matter."
+
+"Not a scrap nor a syllable," I answered promptly.
+
+"Has he ever exhibited any ill will toward you?"
+
+"None, whatever.  On the contrary, he has been uniformly courteous and
+considerate--and I have told you of his action, last night, at the
+supper."
+
+"All of which is just what he would do if he were guilty," was the
+answer.  "No, no, Armand; your refusal to implicate Lotzen does you
+credit, but this attack on you comes at such an opportune moment, for
+him, that he may not escape the suspicion which it breeds.  I don't
+want to believe him guilty, yet----" and he raised his hands
+expressively.
+
+Then the portières parted and the Princess stood in the doorway.
+Frederick saw her.
+
+"Come in, Your Highness," he said.
+
+She crossed to him and patted his cheek.
+
+"Have you been nice to Armand?" she asked.
+
+"He seemed to think so.  I told him he might have you."
+
+"You dear old father!" she exclaimed; and slipping to his knee, she
+gave him a long hug.
+
+"Hold on, daughter; there are two conditions," he said.  "One is that
+you order Armand about, now, instead of your Father."
+
+"Oh, don't worry about me, Sire," said she, "I'm quite able to order
+you both."
+
+"There's not a grain of doubt of that.  But, you would better hold off
+on Armand until you have him safely tied up; he may rue bargain."
+
+"I fancy I can wait that very short time," she laughed, looking at me.
+
+"But, maybe, it won't be a very short time," the King remarked.
+
+She tossed her head.
+
+"It's the woman's privilege to fix the day."
+
+"Which brings me to the second condition," said he; "that, until the
+present wife, which some one seems to have provided for Armand, has
+been eliminated, not only may there be no marriage, but the betrothal,
+itself, must remain a secret with us three."
+
+"But she's not his wife!" Dehra exclaimed.
+
+"No," said the King, "she is not his wife.  If I thought she were,
+there would be no betrothal."
+
+Dehra's small foot began to tap the floor.
+
+"I have told Armand I don't care a rap for that woman," she answered.
+"And if, as Your Majesty admits, she is not his wife, why should she be
+permitted to control the situation to her own liking?"
+
+The King looked at me with an amused smile.
+
+"There, sir," said he, "you see what an unreasonable little woman
+you're seeking to marry."
+
+I leaned forward and took Dehra's hand.
+
+"I think I rather like this particular sort of unreasonableness," I
+said.  Then, to her, I added: "But I must endorse His Majesty's second
+condition."
+
+She frowned; then seated herself on one end of the high writing table.
+
+"I am prepared to hear your arguments, messieurs," she said.  "Pray
+proceed and be brief."
+
+The King nodded to me.
+
+"You have the opening," he said.
+
+So, I explained the whole matter, as best I could, and the reasons
+which moved the King and me in our decision as to the betrothal
+remaining secret and the marriage deferred.
+
+Dehra heard me through without comment; then she turned to the King.
+
+"May it please your Honoress," said Frederick, "I cannot do more than
+endorse and support all that my colleague has so ably presented.  We
+appeal to the Court's well-known sense of propriety, and throw
+ourselves upon her mercy."
+
+"We have been much impressed by the argument of the learned counsel,"
+said Dehra, in formal tones, "and, while not agreeing with all that it
+contained, yet, we are disposed to regard it, in the main, as sound.
+The second condition is therefore sustained.--But, I wish I could tell
+that woman what I think of her!" she exclaimed.
+
+"God forbid!" the King ejaculated.
+
+Dehra went over and kissed him.
+
+"You're a dear," she said.
+
+Then, she came across to me.
+
+"And what is he?" asked Frederick, with a laugh.
+
+She drew back quickly.
+
+"According to his argument, he is only my cousin, the Grand Duke
+Armand," she answered.
+
+"But, you said you did not agree with part of my argument," I objected.
+
+"Did I?--Well, then, that must have been the part," she said.
+
+The King arose.
+
+"I think it's time for me to go," he said.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+PITCH AND TOSS
+
+The following morning, I cabled a detective agency, in New York, giving
+them all the material facts in the case and requesting them to make an
+exhaustive investigation of the movements of Madeline Spencer during
+the period intervening between my confirmation as an Archduke and her
+sailing for Europe.  I told them I required evidence, promptly, to
+disprove the marriage, and gave them _carte blanche_ in its gathering.
+At the same time, I wired a prominent Army officer, at Governor's
+Island, to vouch for my order.  I wanted no time lost while the Agency
+was investigating me.
+
+Of course, the natural method would have been to direct the Valerian
+Ambassador, at Washington, to procure the information; but, I felt
+quite sure, that would simply be playing into Lotzen's hand.  Some one
+in the Embassy would be very willing to oblige the Heir Presumptive by
+betraying me.  And it was only reasonable to suppose the Duke had
+already arranged for it.  It was one of those "trifles" which, as
+Courtney had said, would not be overlooked.
+
+About noon, Bernheim came in with a card in his fingers and a queer
+smile about his firm-set lips.
+
+I took the card.
+
+"The devil!" I exclaimed.  Then I looked at Bernheim.  "What's the
+move, now?"
+
+"That is what I tried to find out, sir," he answered.
+
+"And failed?'
+
+"Completely.  And, yet, I didn't dare to dismiss her without your
+direct order."
+
+"As she well knew."
+
+"And as she had the effrontery to tell me," he added.
+
+I laughed.  "And did it very prettily, too, I'll wager."
+
+"Quite too prettily.  'Come, Colonel Bernheim,' she said, looking me
+straight in the eyes, and smiling sweetly enough to turn most any man's
+head, 'you want to refuse to let me see the Marshal, but, you know
+perfectly well, you dare not.  He might be glad for a word with me in
+private; and then, again, he might not--but you don't know and you are
+afraid to risk it.  _Voilà_!'  And then she laughed."
+
+"Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit
+her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
+
+"Only by leaving the door ajar."
+
+"Well, do what you can," I said.
+
+I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used
+none.  He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
+
+"Madame, His Royal Highness will receive you."
+
+"You are most kind, Colonel Bernheim," she said, in her sweetest tones,
+as she passed him; "I owe you many thanks."
+
+"You owe me none, madame," was the rather gruff answer.
+
+Then he went out, and closed the door with altogether unnecessary vigor.
+
+She turned and looked after him.
+
+"What a great bear he is, Armand," she said, with a confidential air.
+
+I stiffened.  "You wished to see me, Mrs. Spencer," I said.
+
+She laughed.  "Still denying me, are you?" she rippled--"And even in
+your own private office!"
+
+I looked at her, in silence.
+
+"Please don't trouble to offer me a chair, dear," she went on; "this
+one looks comfortable,"--then calmly seated herself, and began to draw
+off her gloves.
+
+The cool assurance of the woman was so absurd I had to smile.
+
+"I fancy it would be quite superfluous to offer you anything that
+chanced to be within your reach," I said.
+
+"Certainly, dear, when, at the same time, it chances to be my
+husband's," she answered, and fell to smoothing out her gloves.
+
+"Come, come!" I exclaimed.  "What's the sense in keeping up the farce?"
+
+"What farce, Armand, dear?"
+
+"That I am your husband," I answered curtly.  Her 'dears' and her
+'Armands' were getting on my nerves.
+
+Her face took on an injured look.
+
+"Judging from your action, the other night and now, it would be well
+for me if it were a farce," she said sadly.
+
+I walked over to the table, on the far side of which she sat.
+
+"Is it possible, madame, that, here, alone with me, you still have the
+effrontery to maintain you are my wife?"
+
+She put her elbows on the table and, resting her chin in her hands,
+looked me straight in the eyes.
+
+"And do you, sir, here, alone with me, still have the effrontery to
+maintain that I am not your wife?" she asked.
+
+"It's not necessary," said I, "for you know it quite as well as I do."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "You're a good bit of a brute, Armand."
+
+"And you're a----" I began quickly--then stopped.
+
+"Yes?" she inflected.  "I am a----?"
+
+"I leave the blank to your own filling," I said, with a bow.
+
+She laughed gayly.  "Do you know you have played this scene very
+nicely, my dear," she said.  "If Colonel Bernheim has chanced to stay
+close enough to the door, he so neatly slammed ajar, he has heard all
+that we have said.  Though, whether it was by your order or due to his
+own curiosity, I, of course, do not know.  Either way, however, you
+scored with him."
+
+I was so sure that Bernheim would now be far enough away from the door
+that I reached across and flung it back.
+
+The ante-room was empty, and, through its open doorway, we could see
+Bernheim and Moore coming slowly down the corridor and twenty feet away.
+
+But she only laughed again.
+
+"Which simply proves Colonel Bernheim's wonderful agility," she said.
+"He must be a most valuable Aide."
+
+I closed the door.
+
+"We are drifting from the point," I said.  "You did me the honor to
+request an interview."
+
+"Not exactly, my dear Armand.  I sought admittance to my husband."
+
+"By 'husband' you mean----?" I asked.
+
+She smiled tolerantly.  "By all means, keep up the play," she said;
+"but we shall save time and energy by assuming that, whenever I speak
+of my husband, I mean you."
+
+"I take it, we may also assume that you did not seek such admission to
+me for the sole pleasure of looking at me?" I said.
+
+"Quite right, Armand; though there was a time--and not so long
+ago--when we both were more than glad to look at each other.--And,
+maybe, I have not changed."  And she leaned forward and smiled with the
+frankness of a sweet-faced child.
+
+I made a gesture of repugnance.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, madame, lay aside this simulated sentiment and be
+good enough to come to the point."
+
+"The point?--the point?" she replied absently.  "True, I was
+forgetting--the sight of you, dear, always stirs me so.  I came here
+very angry with you, and, now, I have almost forgiven you."
+
+I put my finger on the electric button, and Colonel Moore responded.
+
+"Mrs. Spencer desires her carriage," I said.
+
+She gave him one of her sweetest smiles.
+
+"It's too bad, Colonel Moore, that I am always imposed upon you when
+your chief sends me from his august presence;" and she held out her
+hand to him.
+
+Moore's bow over it was positively blarneying in its deference.
+
+"It is a great pleasure, I assure you," he said.
+
+She shook her head at him.
+
+"Rather _double entendre_, Colonel."
+
+"Madame knows it was not so meant," was the quick reply.
+
+She gave him a glance of amused indifference; then arose.
+
+"And Your Royal Highness does not wish to hear my particular errand?"
+she said.
+
+"No more than before you--entered," I replied.
+
+"Intruded, you mean."
+
+"Possibly, that would be more accurate," I admitted.
+
+She gave a sarcastic laugh.
+
+"Your royalty seems to have been fatal to your courtesy."
+
+"At least, there is one particular instance in which it seems to have
+increased my forbearance."
+
+She gathered up her skirts, as though to go--then turned.
+
+"And that instance is myself?" she asked.
+
+"Your intuition is marvellous," I replied.
+
+She sat down on the chair arm.
+
+"But, why do you forbear, my dear?" she said.  "If I am not your wife,
+why don't you do something to prove it?"
+
+"What, for example?" I inquired.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "How ingenious you are, Armand!  You would
+even have me believe that, having decided to deny me, you did not,
+also, arrange how to proceed when I appeared."
+
+"My dear Mrs. Spencer, I said, the other night, that you were a great
+actress; permit me to repeat it."
+
+"It is very easy to act the truth, Armand," she answered.
+
+"And your appearance in Dornlitz is, I suppose, in the interest of
+truth?" I mocked.
+
+She looked at me very steadily, a moment.
+
+"At any rate, you must admit it was well for truth and decency that I
+did appear."
+
+"We but waste each other's time, Mrs. Spencer," I answered curtly, and
+nodded to Moore.
+
+But she gave no heed to the Aide's proffered arm.  She did not even
+glance at him, but leaned back on the chair, swinging her foot and
+looking as insolently tantalizing as possible.  It was a very pretty
+pose.
+
+"I may be very stupid, Armand," she said, "but, I cannot understand
+why, if my presence in Dornlitz is so annoying to you, you prevent me
+leaving it."
+
+I smiled.  "At last," said I, "we are coming to the point."
+
+"As though you hadn't guessed it from the first," she laughed.
+
+"Unfortunately, I have not Mrs. Spencer's keenness of intuition," I
+returned.
+
+She glanced over at my desk.
+
+"The Governor of Dornlitz needs none.  Official reports are better than
+intuition."
+
+"But not so rapid," I replied.
+
+She smiled.  "I was looking at the telephone," she said dryly.
+
+"An admirable medium for unpleasant conversations," I observed.
+
+"Particularly, between husband and wife, you mean."
+
+I answered with a shrug.
+
+"And, also, between the city gates and headquarters," she continued.
+
+"You are pleased to speak in riddles," I said.
+
+She let herself sink, with sinuous grace, into the chair.
+
+I sighed, with suggestive audibility, and waited.
+
+It was a good deal of a cat and dog business--and the cat was having
+all the fun--and knew it.
+
+I could not well have her dragged from the room; and the other
+alternative--to leave, myself--was not to my taste.  It looked too much
+like flight.
+
+"I wish you would explain why I am not permitted to leave Dornlitz,"
+she said.
+
+"Have you been restrained from leaving?" I asked.
+
+"Still pretending ignorance, my dear," she laughed.  "Well, then, I was
+refused exit at the North gate this morning; and that, though I was
+only going for a short drive in the country."
+
+"Why didn't you try another gate?" I asked.
+
+"I did--three others."
+
+"With similar results?"
+
+"Absolutely."
+
+"Therefore, you inferred?" I asked.
+
+"Nothing, my dear Armand, nothing.  I know.  At one of the gates, the
+officer condescended to tell me that he was acting under the express
+order of Field Marshal, His Royal Highness the Governor of Dornlitz."
+
+"And he told you the truth," I said.
+
+"Of course he did," she laughed.  "I never doubted it.  What I want to
+know is your reason for the order."
+
+"And that is what brought you here?" I asked.
+
+"That--and the pleasure of seeing my dear husband," she drawled.
+
+"I'll make a bargain with you, Mrs. Spencer," I said: "My motive for
+the order, in exchange, in strict confidence, for your motive for
+coming to Dornlitz."
+
+Of course, I had no notion she would disclose the actual motive in the
+plot.  What I was after was the story they had prepared to explain why
+I came to Valeria alone and left her to follow and, in the interim,
+posed as a bachelor.
+
+"Surely, Armand, you're not serious!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I never was more so," I said.
+
+"But why should you want me to tell you something you already know?"
+she asked--with a quick glance at Moore.
+
+"Come, come!" said I; "Colonel Moore is totally deaf, at times.  I
+promise your secret shall remain within this room."
+
+"_My_ secret!" she laughed.  "Really, Armand, you are delicious."
+
+"I don't quite understand," I said.
+
+She laughed again.  "It seems to me that why I followed you to Valeria,
+instead of coming with you, is, particularly, your secret.  You
+wouldn't care for His Majesty to know it, would you?"
+
+"If it's my secret," said I, "don't you think I ought to be let into
+it?"
+
+She thought a moment--evidently considering how much she should reveal
+to me.  Of course, she understood what I wanted and why; but this order
+of mine, restricting her within the Capital, had evidently been totally
+unexpected, and she was set upon having some explanation of it.  Hence,
+she was ready to bargain.
+
+"Come!" said I.  "In this game you're playing, you will have to
+disclose it very soon, anyway."
+
+"But, it seems so silly, Armand, to tell you what you yourself
+arranged."
+
+"Oh!  So I arranged for your coming!" I exclaimed.  "I suppose I also
+arranged for what you have done since you've been here."
+
+She smiled sweetly.  "Not quite all, my dear.  I've been arranging a
+few things myself, thanks to your perfidy."
+
+"We are getting away from the main point," I said.  "You were about to
+tell me why you came to Dornlitz."
+
+She arose languidly, and began to draw on her gloves.
+
+"Oh, was I?  Well, then, I've changed my mind."
+
+"I bid you good-day, Mrs. Spencer," I said, and turned away.
+
+She gave a light laugh.  "Aren't you glad to be rid of me, dear?"
+
+I faced about.
+
+"Very," I said bluntly.
+
+She put out a hand, as though to ward off a blow, and her face flushed,
+an instant.
+
+"Armand, my dear----" she began.
+
+I turned my back and walked toward the window.
+
+Then, there came the rustle of silk behind me--a soft arm was flung
+about my neck, and a tear-choked voice exclaimed:
+
+"Haven't you one kind word for me, dear?"
+
+I reached up and put her arm sharply aside.
+
+"It seems to me, madame, there has been enough of this nonsense," I
+said.  "There is no gallery here to play to, as you had in the Hanging
+Garden."
+
+She studied my face a moment--drawing her tiny lace handkerchief
+nervously from hand to hand.
+
+"I must ask you to leave my office immediately," I went on.  "If you
+decline, I shall leave and not return until you have gone."
+
+She slowly drew herself up, and stepped back.
+
+"And this is your last word to your wife?" she asked.
+
+"It is my last word to you, Mrs. Spencer," I said curtly.  "Are you
+going--or shall I?"
+
+She swept me a bit of a courtesy, smiling the while.
+
+"I am going, my dear Armand, I am going--but it is only _au revoir_."
+
+I bowed stiffly, and motioned to Moore to escort her.
+
+He swung open the door--then stopped short.  Just entering the
+ante-room, from the corridor, were the King, the Princess Royal, and
+the American Ambassador.
+
+Instantly, Mrs. Spencer drew back, and gave me a mocking smile.
+
+"I've changed my mind again, dear," she said.  "I'll make that trade of
+motives, now."
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+ANOTHER ACT IN THE PLAY
+
+I hastened to the door, saluted the King, and greeted the Princess and
+Courtney.
+
+"I am honored over much," I said--then watched their actions, as they
+saw Mrs. Spencer.
+
+Frederick stopped short, frowned, then turned to me interrogatingly.
+Courtney raised his eyebrows, bowed to Mrs. Spencer, and, then, gave me
+a quizzical smile.  Dehra flouted her enemy with one of those
+deliberately ignoring stares; then, she smiled at me, and went over and
+sat down at my desk.
+
+Meanwhile, Mrs. Spencer stood near the table; one hand resting on it,
+the other holding up her gown.  The attitude was most becoming and
+effective--and she knew it.  So far as her bearing showed, the
+situation was the most natural imaginable.  And, chancing to catch my
+eye, she actually gave me her most fetching smile.
+
+She got a stare in answer, and I turned to the King.
+
+"I have told Your Majesty of a Mrs. Spencer, who claims to be my wife,"
+I said.  "She has sought an audience with the Governor of Dornlitz, and
+demanded to know why orders have been issued that she be refused exit
+from the city.  I offered to explain, if she, on her part, would
+disclose her reasons for coming to Valeria.  She refused, and was about
+to depart, when, seeing Your Majesty, she suddenly changed her mind and
+agreed to bargain.  Have we your permission to proceed?"
+
+The King understood the situation, instantly--and I could detect a bit
+of a smile under his grey moustache.
+
+"Be seated, madame," he said.  "I am interested--unless, of course, you
+do not care for us to hear it."
+
+She dropped him a wonderful courtesy--acquired, doubtless, in her
+French Convent school.
+
+"Your Majesty is more than welcome to every word of my story," she
+answered, with ready frankness.  "The Grand Duke Armand knows it quite
+as well as I; though he affects otherwise, because it pleases him to
+pretend that I am not his wife."
+
+"My dear madame," the King said, "you are not to tell me anything.  You
+are simply graciously permitting me to be present when you carry out
+the bargain you have just made with the Governor of Dornlitz."
+
+She smiled very sweetly at the King; then, turned to me.
+
+"Will you begin, Armand," she said.
+
+I bowed.  "After you, madame," said I.  "And, perchance, when I have
+heard your story, I may revoke the order."
+
+She smiled disdainfully--then, addressed the King:
+
+"I consented to this exchange only because Your Majesty would, thus,
+hear at least some truth as to this marriage.  I confess, however, I am
+surprised that Major Dalberg permits it to be disclosed."
+
+She turned to me with affected hesitation.
+
+"Are you quite sure, Armand, you really want me to tell it?" she asked.
+
+I laughed.  "You play it very cleverly, Mrs. Spencer," I said.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders most expressively.
+
+"On your head be it, then," she answered.  Then, addressing the King,
+she went on.  "When it was determined that Major Dalberg was to be the
+American Military Attaché with the Valerian Army, he told me, for the
+first time, of his kinship to Your Majesty.  On my insistent urging, he
+then decided to make a bid for your favor, to the end that you might
+acknowledge his birth and restore to him the lost estates and titles of
+his ancestor, Prince Hugo.  Apprehending, however, that Your Majesty
+would look with more kindness upon him as a bachelor than as a married
+man, it was arranged that I should remain in America.  Then, as soon as
+the scheme had either succeeded or definitely failed, I was to be sent
+for."  She turned and looked at me.  "It is rather needless to say--in
+view of Monsieur Armand's present attitude toward me--that he never
+sent for me.  But I saw the accounts, in the daily Press, of the
+wonderful story of an American Army Officer, Armand Dalberg, being, in
+truth, a Prince of Valeria; and how he had been so accepted and
+proclaimed by the King.  I waited two weeks and more--for word from my
+husband--then I came hither--and met the kind reception he gave me in
+the Hanging Garden."
+
+She paused an instant; then spoke to me:
+
+"Is there anything material that I have omitted?" she asked.
+
+"Naturally, I do not know, Mrs. Spencer," I answered; "but, judging
+from your marvellous power of--invention, I should fancy not."
+
+She turned aside the thrust with a smile.
+
+"The bargain is, now, with you, monsieur," she said.  "I await the
+explanation of your order."
+
+"It is very simple, Mrs. Spencer," I said curtly; "so simple, indeed, I
+am quite sure you guessed it, long ago."
+
+Her smile still lingered.
+
+"The bargain, sir, the bargain!"
+
+"I issued the order, madame, because you have falsely proclaimed
+yourself my wife, and I intend to confine your acting as such within
+the limits of this town.  So long as you pose as my wife you will never
+pass the gates of Dornlitz."
+
+"In other words, I am to be prisoner for life," she said.
+
+"That is for you to determine," I answered.
+
+She studied my face, a bit.
+
+"I suppose you want me to consent to a divorce," she said.
+
+"Divorce implies marriage," I answered.
+
+She shook her head and smiled tolerantly.
+
+"I really can't promise to die just to accommodate Your Highness," she
+said.
+
+I made no reply.
+
+"And that suggests the inquiry, Your Majesty," she said; "as the wife
+of the Prince Armand am I not a Grand Duchess of Valeria and a Royal
+Highness?"
+
+Surely, the woman's impudence was almost beyond belief!
+
+But the King was very courteous.
+
+"The Decree of Restoration applies only to the Grand Duke Armand," he
+said.
+
+"And I remain, simply, Mrs. Armand Dalberg?" she asked.
+
+Frederick smiled.
+
+"You remain exactly what you were before the Decree was signed," he
+said.
+
+She turned to me.
+
+"Since I am to live in Dornlitz the rest of my days, where is it your
+gracious purpose that I reside--in the Epsau Palace or where?"
+
+"Except to assure you it will not be in the Epsau, it is no concern of
+mine where you live," I answered.
+
+"Then, it will be the Hotel Metzen--and, of course, the bill will be
+sent to you."
+
+"Oh, no, it won't," I answered.
+
+"Surely!" she exclaimed, "you can't intend to hold me prisoner, and,
+then, oblige me to provide my own subsistence."
+
+"Your subsistence, Mrs. Spencer, is not my affair," I said, "since the
+length of your enforced detention in Dornlitz is optional with
+yourself."
+
+"You mean?"
+
+"I mean, that when you admit I am not and never was your husband, and
+that the marriage certificate is false, that instant you are free to
+depart."
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"I am willing to permit you to obtain a divorce," she said, "but I may
+not deny the truth of the certificate."
+
+"Very good," said I.  "I trust you will enjoy your stay in Dornlitz."
+
+She swung around toward Courtney.
+
+"You are the American Ambassador, are you not, monsieur?" she said.
+
+Courtney answered by a bow.
+
+"Then, I ask if you will suffer an American citizen to be kept prisoner
+by the Valerian authorities without trial or legal judgment?"
+
+"Not for a moment, madame," said Courtney, instantly, and with a quick
+smile at the King.
+
+"You would protest?"
+
+"Most strenuously--and so would Washington."
+
+She looked at me with a triumphant sneer.
+
+"You hear, Your Highness!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Yes," said I, "I hear."
+
+"I presume I am now at liberty to depart."
+
+"From the room?--undoubtedly," I answered.
+
+"Thank you--I mean from Dornlitz."
+
+"Whenever you will," said I; "on the terms I gave you."
+
+She turned, again, to Courtney.
+
+"I appeal to Your Excellency for protection."
+
+"Upon what basis, madame?" he asked formally.
+
+She looked surprised.
+
+"As an American subject," she said.
+
+"And under what name?" Courtney asked.
+
+"My rightful one, of course," she laughed: "Madeline Dalberg."
+
+"Wife of the Grand Duke Armand?" he went on.
+
+"Surely, monsieur--who else?"
+
+"That, madame, if you will pardon, is the material point.  As wife of a
+Valerian Prince you are a subject of His Majesty, Frederick the Third,
+and the American Government has no jurisdiction to interfere."
+
+"But, His Majesty has just said I was not comprehended in the Decree
+restoring my husband," she objected.
+
+"Of course, I can speak only according to the doctrine of the United
+States," said Courtney.  "It asks only if you are the wife of a
+foreigner.  If you are, then, his citizenship determines yours."
+
+She gave Courtney a sarcastic smile, and addressed the King.
+
+"Will Your Majesty tell me wherein the Valerian doctrine differs from
+the American?" she asked.
+
+"It is precisely similar," said Frederick.
+
+She leaned forward.  "Then, though not an Archduchess, I am,
+nevertheless, a subject of Your Majesty," she said.
+
+The King frowned.  "My dear madame," he said, "questions of citizenship
+are not presented to me, originally.  They are passed upon by the
+proper Department of my Government and reach me, only, in case of
+peculiarly extraordinary circumstances."
+
+She arose, and went close over to the King.
+
+"Your Majesty has heard me appeal for protection to the Ambassador of
+my native land and be refused, because I was no longer an American
+citizen," she began.  "And you, yourself, have practically admitted he
+was correct, and that I am a Valerian subject.  Therefore, I demand
+that freedom of action which is granted to all your citizens, and that
+the order of the Governor of Dornlitz be revoked."
+
+Frederick looked at her sternly for a moment.
+
+"Pray be seated, madame," he said; "and permit me to observe that, if
+you are my subject, your manner of address is scarcely respectful to
+your King."
+
+"I do not desire to be disrespectful," she replied; "but, if I am your
+subject, I have the undoubted right to the protection of your laws.  I
+ask Your Majesty if I am receiving that protection?  I ask Your Majesty
+if those laws permit one, unaccused of any crime or wrong-doing, to be
+held prisoner within the limits of a town?  I ask Your Majesty if those
+laws sanction such an order as your Governor, yonder, has made
+respecting me?"
+
+There was just the proper touch of dignified indignation and feminine
+pathos.  Indeed, I never saw this rather remarkable woman act her part
+better than in that short speech.
+
+The King looked at her, for a bit, in silence--though, whether he was
+admiring her as a beautiful woman or as an artistic impersonator, I
+could not make out.  Doubtless, it was something of both.
+
+"As simple abstract propositions, my dear madame," he said, presently,
+"your questions, as put, are entitled to negative replies.  But, when
+they are applied to the actual facts in the case, as just given by you,
+there is a vast difference.  If you are the lawfully wedded wife of the
+Grand Duke Armand, there is nothing illegal in the order you complain
+of.  In Valeria, the husband has lawful authority, upon proper cause,
+to restrain his wife within even smaller limits than are prescribed for
+you."
+
+"But, where, in my case, is there any proper cause?" she demanded.
+"Besides, he avers I am not his wife--therefore, he can have no
+authority over me."
+
+The King smiled.  "My dear madame, you forget that it is you who insist
+upon submitting yourself to his authority."
+
+"That may be, Sire; yet, I appeal to your sense of fairness.  Should he
+be permitted to exercise a husband's authority to imprison me, and, at
+the same time, deny that he is my husband?"
+
+Of course, theoretically, she was in the right.  My action was, in that
+particular, utterly inconsistent with my position and protestations.
+For a moment, I was a trifle uneasy as to the King's answer.
+
+But he brushed it lightly aside.
+
+"The circumstances of the case are so extraordinary, madame, that I
+fear it cannot well be judged by the usual standard."
+
+She smiled very sweetly.  "Which means that I am to be held to the
+strict obligations of my position, but that the Grand Duke Armand can
+perpetrate any inconsistency he choose."
+
+The King smiled back at her.  "I do not doubt that His Royal Highness
+will be most happy to be relieved of the necessity for being
+inconsistent," he said.
+
+"Good!" she exclaimed.  "I am ready to leave Dornlitz and Valeria this
+very day."
+
+The King turned to me, interrogatingly.
+
+"Then, you admit you are not Madeline Dalberg?" I asked.
+
+"On the contrary, I re-affirm it; but, I offer you a divorce."
+
+I shrugged my shoulders and made no reply.
+
+"You see, Sire," she said, "how reasonable he is.  He condescends to be
+consistent only if, by forcing me to perjure myself, he can further
+his--schemes"--and she deliberately turned and looked at the Princess.
+
+I stepped quickly between them.
+
+She laughed scornfully.
+
+"How like you, Armand," she said.  "It's only a short while since you
+were just as thoughtful for me."
+
+I was too angry to reply, but she could read my thoughts in my eyes.
+And she answered them with a taunting smile and a toss of her head.
+
+So there was silence, for a space; then, she spoke to Courtney:
+
+"I understand.  Your Excellency refuses me your protection because I am
+a Valerian subject?"
+
+Courtney bowed.
+
+"Made so by your own statements," he answered.
+
+"And Your Majesty refuses to interfere between the Governor of Dornlitz
+and me, because, as his wife, I am subject to his authority?"
+
+"In effect, yes," said Frederick.
+
+"And you, my Lord Armand, declare that I am not your wife and,
+therefore, that I am an American subject?"
+
+"I think, Mrs. Spencer, we have gone over that matter _ad nauseam_," I
+said.
+
+"I grant you the nauseousness," she retorted.
+
+"A bare-faced lie may not be over chary as to the defence it provokes,"
+I answered.
+
+She gathered up her skirts, and turned toward the door.
+
+"What a pretty sight you three are," she sneered.  "A King, an
+Ambassador and a Royal Archduke playing with one poor woman like cats
+with a mouse.  Truly, sirs, you should have lived three hundred years
+ago.  You would have shown rare skill in the torture chambers of the
+Holy Inquisition."
+
+"'Pon my soul, madame!" Frederick exclaimed, "I'm glad to hear a frank
+opinion of myself.  It's a privilege that rarely comes to a King."
+
+"More's the pity for the King," she replied.  "And more's the shame for
+his selfish advisers," and she looked at Courtney, and, then, at me.
+
+"Have I Your Majesty's permission to depart--to my hotel?" she ended.
+
+The King nodded, without replying.
+
+She swept him another of those wonderful curtsies; then turned to
+Moore, who swung back the door for her.
+
+At the threshold she looked back and smiled at me.
+
+"_Au revoir_, Armand, dear, _au revoir_," she said almost caressingly;
+"you will come back to me soon, I know."
+
+Before I could frame an answer she was gone.
+
+
+
+
+XIX
+
+MY COUSIN, THE DUKE
+
+For the next few weeks, matters went along without any particular
+incident.  The snarl, in which I was entangled, showed no signs of
+unravelling, and my marriage to the Princess and the Royal succession
+seemed farther away than ever.
+
+The investigations, in the United States, had yielded nothing of any
+utility.  Indeed, they had been practically barren, for they had told
+me little more than Courtney's cablegram.
+
+Edwards, the witness named in the certificate, had not been located,
+though New York had been scraped as with a fine-tooth comb; so, it was
+safe to assume his existence was only on paper and in Alderman
+McGuire's brain.
+
+The movements of Madeline Spencer had been very difficult to trace, as
+was entirely natural--for what hotel servant would remember, weeks
+after, the doings of a woman guest, whose life had been at all regular.
+All that could be ascertained, definitely, was that she had sailed from
+New York ten days prior to her arrival at Dornlitz; and that she had
+registered as Mrs. Armand Dalberg at the Waldorf a week before sailing;
+her luggage having been checked there from Philadelphia.  The
+floor-clerk and some of the pages recalled her very readily, and were
+rather positive that they had not seen any foreigner with her, who
+resembled a Valerian.
+
+That was about the extent of the detectives' discoveries; for
+Philadelphia yielded absolutely nothing, beyond the fact that she had
+been at one of the Broad Street hotels, for a fortnight, prior to
+coming to New York; and, before that, in Pittsburgh, Washington, and
+New York; the last corresponding, in date, to my interview with her,
+there, in December.  At none of these places, could any traces be
+discovered of an emissary of Lotzen.
+
+Nor did the investigations at this end, conducted for me by Courtney's
+secret agents, yield anything more satisfactory.  During the period, in
+question, the Duke had not been away from the Capital for over three
+days at any one time, and none of his suite had been absent longer than
+a week.  Nevertheless, I was none the less positive that there had been
+some sort of communication between Madeline Spencer, in America, and
+the Duke of Lotzen, in Valeria, in response to which she was here.
+
+So, it seemed Courtney was correct, as usual.  He had predicted that
+nothing would be found by the detectives; because, as he said, it was
+just a case in which all tracks would be most effectively covered by
+doing everything in the most ordinary way--and, apparently, that was
+just what had been done.
+
+There seemed to be nothing but to cultivate patience and settle down to
+wait for someone to blunder, or for the lady to get tired of her
+enforced residence in Dornlitz, and begin to get restless, and do
+something which would give us a clue to work on.
+
+She had retained her apartments at the Hotel Metzen--the management
+having, however, addressed me as to my pleasure, in the matter--and, at
+least, once every day, she had sought to pass some one of the City
+gates; and, when refused, would then demand exit as the wife of the
+Grand Duke Armand.
+
+She drove and rode and walked about the town the cynosure of all
+eyes--and some of them of admiring men, who would have been very ready,
+doubtless, to start a flirtation; both for their own pleasure and in
+the hope of gaining my good will by discrediting her.
+
+But, she would have none of them, and went her way with the serene
+blindness of an honest woman.
+
+In the hotel, she bore herself with the quiet dignity and reserve
+suitable to her assumed position.  With the guests, particularly
+Americans, she was frankly gracious and friendly; but, it was evident,
+she sought no sympathy and wanted no confidants.
+
+All these details came to me in the reports of the Secret Police.  I
+saw her very frequently on the street; passing her both on the sidewalk
+and on horseback.  And if she were pining for the newly wedded husband,
+who had forsaken and denied her, she most assuredly did not show it.
+Nor did her impudence diminish.  Whenever she saw me she tried to catch
+my eye.  Several times it happened she was watching me when I first
+observed her; then, like a flash, she would bow and smile with the air
+of the most intimate camaraderie.
+
+Of course, I pointedly ignored her, but it had no effect; for the next
+time her greeting was only the more effusively intimate.  Naturally,
+the people stared.  I felt sure they winked at one another knowingly,
+when my back was turned.  The whole situation was intensely irritating
+and growing more so every day; and my patience, never long at best,
+must have been a trifle uncertain for those around me.
+
+I think I am not an unjust man, by nature; but some provocations would
+make even the best tempers quick and squally.  And, then, what is the
+good of being an Archduke, if one may not flare out occasionally!
+
+I was a bit lonely, too.  The King was in the North and the Princess
+was with him--and so, for a time, was Lotzen, I happened to know;
+though I understood he had, now, left them and was returning to
+Dornlitz.  I wished him a long journey and a slow one.
+
+His suave courtesy was becoming unbearable; and my sorest trial was to
+receive it calmly and to meet it in kind.  Truly, if he had found a
+brilliant leading woman in Madeline Spencer, he had an equally
+brilliant leading man in himself.
+
+I was no possible match for him; and I could feel the sneer behind his
+smile.  I wanted to give him a good body beating--and I was sure he
+knew it, and that it only amused him.  I could, now, quite understand
+the rage which makes a man walk up to another and smash him in the face
+without a word of preliminary.  I would have given five years of life
+to do that to Lotzen.
+
+And, instead, I had to smile--and smile--and smile.  Bah! it makes me
+shiver.
+
+He must have fancied I wished him a long absence, for he returned with
+astonishing promptness.  I saw him the next afternoon in the Officers'
+Club--and our greeting was almost effusive.  In fact, if anything were
+required to prove how intensely we despised each other, this
+demonstrative cordiality supplied it.  It was so hollow it fairly
+resounded with derision.
+
+"I'll ride over to Headquarters with you," he said.
+
+"I'm walking," I answered.
+
+"Good, I'll walk, too," he replied.
+
+So, we set out--the orderly following with the Duke's horse.
+
+"When did you come in?" I asked--knowing perfectly well the very hour
+of his arrival.
+
+"Last night, on the Express from the North," he answered--knowing that
+I already knew it.
+
+"Had a good time, of course?" I remarked.
+
+"Delightful--we wished for you."
+
+"It's astonishing how kind you all are to the stranger," I said.
+
+He shot a quick glance at me.
+
+"We don't regard you as a stranger, my dear cousin," he protested.
+
+"I believe you," said I.  "Judged by the way His Majesty and the
+Princess, and you have treated me, the heir of Hugo might never have
+lived beyond the Kingdom."
+
+This brought another look.
+
+"The Dalbergs don't do things by halves," he answered.
+
+"So I have noticed, cousin.  I only trust I can live up to it."
+
+He laughed.  "You promise very well, Armand, very well, indeed."
+
+"I am glad," I answered.
+
+When we reached Headquarters, I suggested that he come up to my office
+and smoke a cigar.  I thought he would decline.  But, there, I erred.
+
+"Thanks," said he, "I'll join you as soon as I've registered," and he
+turned down the corridor toward the Adjutant General's office.
+
+On my desk was a wire from the Princess.  She and the King would reach
+Dornlitz the next morning and I was expected to lunch at the Palace.  I
+dispatched an answer that would meet the Royal train en route, and
+thought of Lotzen with indifference--almost.
+
+When he came, I was going through a batch of papers which had just been
+brought in for my signature.
+
+"Don't let me disturb you," he said heartily.  "Finish the miserable
+red tape."
+
+I nodded.
+
+He chose a cigar and, having lighted it, with the careful attention he
+seemed to give to the smallest matters, he sauntered to the window that
+overlooked the Avenue.
+
+Presently, he glanced around at me.
+
+I went on with my work.
+
+Then he glanced again.
+
+I signed the last of the papers, pushed them aside and arose.
+
+"Mrs. Spencer is about to pass," he said.
+
+"I trust so," said I.  "I'm sure I've no desire for her to stop."
+
+Then, suddenly, he frowned--and made a short bow.
+
+"She had the impudence to speak to me," he said.
+
+I smiled and made no comment.  For the life of me, I could not
+determine if his surprise were natural or assumed.
+
+He crossed to a front window and watched her out of sight.
+
+"There is no discounting her beauty," he remarked.
+
+I was silent.
+
+He came over, and dropped into a chair on the other side of the table.
+It was just where Mrs. Spencer had sat, and, so, a very fit place for
+him.
+
+"She must be a most extraordinary woman," he observed.
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"Yet, what I can't understand, is what she hopes to gain by
+masquerading, here, as your wife."
+
+I looked at him and waited.  He was steering into strange waters, it
+seemed to me.
+
+"Now, if she had done it in Paris, or Vienna, or any place outside of
+Valeria," he went on, "one could see the temporary profit of it.  But,
+to come to Dornlitz and dare it under your very nose!"--he flung up his
+hands.  "She is a bit too much for me!"
+
+I saw his drift, now.  He wanted to know if I suspected him; and, to
+that end, was quite willing to match his wit against mine.  His
+contempt for my discernment was not, especially, flattering; but,
+sometimes, it does no harm to be taken for a fool--if one is not.  And
+I was conceited enough to consider myself the latter.  Which, however,
+may only have proven that Lotzen was right.
+
+"And for me, too, at present," I answered.
+
+"At present?" he echoed, blowing a succession of smoke rings and
+watching them float away.
+
+I nodded.  "She will get tired of the game, presently, and quit."
+
+"She has stuck to it rather persistently," he observed; "and crossed
+the seas to play it."
+
+"Yes," said I, "she did just that; yet she is none the less liable to
+quit abruptly to-morrow."
+
+That would interest him, I thought.  It did.
+
+"You are judging from experience?" he asked, rather quickly.
+
+"I've known the lady for a few years," I laughed, "and I've yet to find
+her true either to herself or to the hand that paid her."
+
+It was characteristic of the man that, at these last words, he made no
+quick glance at my face.  Instead, he studied the end of his cigar.
+When he did look at me, it was in the perfectly natural way of asking a
+question.
+
+Then I got a start.  He suddenly struck straight from the shoulder.
+
+"By 'the hand that paid her,' you mean?" he asked--and now, his eyes
+were fairly drilling into mine.
+
+I took on a look of surprise.
+
+"What does it usually mean?" I answered, with a bit of a shrug.
+
+He either had to appear to accept the inference in this answer or else
+ask me blankly if I meant that Mrs. Spencer was in his employ.  He
+chose the former.
+
+"It is very difficult to associate such a beautiful woman with the
+_demi-monde_," he said.
+
+"Yet, Saint Anthony would stand no chance with her."
+
+He looked at me with an amused smile.
+
+"I assume you lay no claims to even ordinary saintship?"
+
+"None, whatever, my dear Duke."
+
+"Possibly, you avoided situations which might put you to the test?"
+
+"Possibly," I laughed.
+
+"You are more of a Saint than you imagine," he answered.
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"Colonel Spencer was my friend," I said.
+
+"And his wife--and widow would have been--yours--and you would not;
+_n'est ce pas_?"
+
+I smiled.
+
+"So, that's the motive for it, is it.  'Hell hath no fury like a woman
+scorned,'" he quoted.  It was meant as a question, however.
+
+I appeared to hesitate.
+
+"Revenge, sometimes, does take queer forms," I said tentatively.
+
+"And you, too, think this is revenge?" he asked.
+
+"What other motive could she have?" I answered.
+
+He closed his eyes, a moment; lest, I suppose, his amused contempt
+would shine out so plainly that even stupid I would see it.  He was
+sure, now, he had been right in deeming me too heavy-witted to suspect
+him.
+
+"It might be blackmail," he suggested.
+
+"Then, she is a very long time in naming her price," I replied.
+
+"True; but, maybe, she is enjoying Dornlitz," he laughed.
+
+I laughed, too.
+
+"It's none of my business, of course, Armand," he went on, "but, why
+don't you run her out of the Kingdom, instead of keeping her in by
+force."
+
+"I'm waiting for her to get tired of the game and quit."
+
+He thought a bit.
+
+"Maybe, I can help you," he said.
+
+I had not Lotzen's gift of imperturbability but I did my best not to
+show my surprise.
+
+"You are very kind," I answered; "though I don't see what you can do."
+
+"I may take it you have no particular--regard for the lady?" he asked.
+
+"Indeed, you may!"
+
+"So you would have no objection to someone making a--try at her?"
+
+"None whatever, I assure you.  As many someones and as many tries as
+you wish--and may they all win."
+
+"Now, you're a trifle too generous," said he.  "I've taken rather a shy
+at her myself and--you understand?"
+
+I thought I did--but not as he meant me to.  What he wanted was liberty
+to communicate, at will, directly with the lady, without arousing
+suspicion or seeming to side against me.
+
+I shut one eye, and looked at him as though in sly comprehension.
+
+"But, how will that help me?" I asked.
+
+"In this way," said he.  "You think she is tired of her game and about
+ready to quit.  I come along; and she tosses you over and seizes the
+new prey.  I'll tell her plainly she cannot have me so long as there is
+any question about her being your wife."
+
+"But, won't it raise a nasty scandal?" I objected.
+
+"Not a bit," he said, with a knowing smile.  "We have ways to do such
+things, you know.  I have a Chateau near the French Border--the lady
+leaves for Paris--and goes by way of the Chateau.  _Comprenez vous_?"
+
+I wanted to laugh in his face.  What a charming scheme to get Mrs.
+Spencer out of the Kingdom!
+
+"But, suppose," said I, "she cuts the Chateau and keeps right on to
+Paris?"
+
+"Trust me, my dear Marshal, she won't cut the Chateau.  I shall be with
+her when she leaves Dornlitz."
+
+"I know the lady," said I.  "I'm afraid to risk it."
+
+He tossed aside his cigar and lit a fresh one.  "Very well, cousin," he
+said, with an air of good-natured indifference.  "It's your affair, of
+course.  I only wanted to aid you in any way I could.  You're the best
+judge, however, how to handle the matter.  If you need me, I am yours
+to command."
+
+"My dear Duke," I said, "I realize your friendly spirit and I want you
+to know I appreciate it; and I shall not hesitate to call on you if the
+occasion arise."
+
+He flung his cape around him and hooked up his sword.
+
+"And, in the meantime, do I understand that I am to keep severely away
+from the lady?"
+
+I hesitated.  Of course his point was to obtain from me direct
+authority for him to visit her.  The very fact that he wanted it was a
+sufficient reason for refusing; but, on the other hand, so long as he
+thought himself unsuspected, it might not be a bad move to give him the
+opportunity.  It would increase the chances for them to make a blunder.
+I determined to risk it.
+
+"The only restriction, touching Mrs. Spencer, is the order of the
+Military Governor," I answered.  "If you can induce her to acknowledge
+the falsity of that certificate, she shall be free to resume her
+journey to the Devil, _via_ your Chateau, and joy go with her."
+
+He flung back his head and laughed heartily.
+
+"A trifle hard on my Chateau, cousin, to locate it on the road to Hell.
+But we will let it pass.  For, between us, it is a good road and an
+easy; and they, who travel it, are a finer lot than the superstitious
+dreamers who grope, in darkness, along the bleak and stony path they
+fancy leads upward to the Light."
+
+"You mistook my meaning," I said.  "It's not for me to criticise
+another's chosen road, whether it be the rough one or the smooth.
+There are no hand boards at the forking, and only a blind fall at the
+end of each.  It's all a guess; and, so far as I know, one road is as
+good as another."
+
+He looked at me, rather curiously.  "Which road do you travel, cousin?"
+he asked.
+
+"Neither, by intention," I answered.  "I am still at the Forks."
+
+He laughed, rather sarcastically.  "Well, when you leave them, if you
+chance to come my way, the Chateau is at your disposal.  Meanwhile,
+I'll endeavor to steer Madame Spencer, alias Dalberg, toward it."
+
+I could feel the deliberate sneer, but it was too well veiled to
+resent, openly.
+
+"At least, don't expect me as a guest while she is there," I replied.
+
+"I don't imagine I would want you, then," said he.  He went over to the
+door; then returned and, leaning on the back of a chair, looked at me
+thoughtfully.
+
+"What now?" I wondered--and waited.
+
+"There is a matter, cousin," he began, "which has been on my mind
+lately--and this may be as good a time as any to take it up."
+
+I nodded.  "Go ahead--we are in the humor for confidences, this
+afternoon, it seems."
+
+"And for plain speaking?" he asked.
+
+"Between men I'm always for that," said I.  "It's the safest in the
+end."
+
+"Exactly my opinion.  I am glad to have one of your experience and
+discretion agree with it," he answered.
+
+It seemed to give him the keenest pleasure to sneer at me, to my very
+face, with compliments he thought I would take seriously.  And, in
+truth, I think I was beginning to enjoy it as much as he.
+
+"You are a bit old for your age, my dear Duke," I said.
+
+"But I have much to learn," he said modestly.
+
+"It will all come in time, cousin," I answered patronizingly.
+
+He dropped his head an instant--to hide his smiles, I knew.
+
+"A charming afternoon," he said.  "Confidences--compliments--and plain
+speaking.  We are making rare progress, cousin mine."
+
+"And, why not?" I asked.
+
+"Surely," he exclaimed, heartily, "surely--why not?"  Then he paused.
+"And, now, for the plain speaking."
+
+"Good," said I; "drive ahead; and make it as plain as you like."
+
+"I'll do it," he said.  "What I want to know is: First--do you intend
+to try to displace me in the Line of Succession?  And, second--are you
+a suitor for the hand of the Princess Royal?"
+
+It would have been impossible to hide my surprise, so I made no effort.
+Surely, this man's methods were almost beyond comprehension!
+
+"My dear Duke," I replied, "your questions are plain, and a plain
+answer will do for both--it is none of your business."
+
+He laughed.  "By which I infer you decline to answer."
+
+"Precisely!"
+
+He tossed away his cigar and slowly lit another.
+
+"Of course, Armand, that is your privilege; but, then, you must pardon
+the further inference that to decline to answer is, really, to answer
+in the affirmative."
+
+"You are responsible for your inferences, not I," I replied curtly.
+
+He leaned a bit forward.  "Let us take up my first question," he said.
+"Have you ever considered what you were likely to encounter if you
+undertook to filch the Crown?"
+
+"Filch?" I interrupted.
+
+"Steal, then, if you prefer.  I forgot we were to use plain terms."
+
+"Very true," said I.  "Proceed."
+
+"Do you think that I, who have been the Heir Presumptive since the
+instant of my birth, almost, will calmly step aside and permit you to
+take my place?"
+
+I looked at him, indifferently, and made no answer.
+
+"Do you fancy, for an instant," he went on, "that the people of Valeria
+would have a foreigner for King?"
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"And even if old Frederick were to become so infatuated with you that
+he would restore you to Hugo's place in the Line of Succession, do you
+imagine, that the House of Nobles would hesitate to annul it the
+instant he died?"
+
+From the written words, one might well infer that he spoke loudly and
+in open anger; whereas, in fact, his face was smiling and his voice was
+even more soft than usual.  It behooved me to meet him in kind.
+
+"As you seem to have been doing my thinking, cousin, perhaps you have
+also thought out my answers.  If you have, I shall be glad to hear
+them; it will save me the labor of thinking them out for myself."
+
+His smile broadened.  "The only labor I can promise to save you,
+cousin, is that of being King."
+
+"I fear it is a bit early for me to choose my Prime Minister," I said.
+
+His smile became a laugh.  "Let us pass to my second question.  It,
+however, demands no thinking.  There is ample evidence of your
+intention as to the Princess."
+
+"Then, why ask it?" I inquired.
+
+"Because, of her intention toward you, I am not so sure--but, women are
+queer creatures and prone to take queer crotchets.  You aim to marry
+her; and so, having won the King and stolen my birth-right, to use her
+popularity to secure you on the Throne.  You see, all roads lead to the
+Throne."
+
+"All roads which His Highness of Lotzen travels," I observed.
+
+He tilted back the chair; then let it drop sharply forward to the floor.
+
+"Just so, cousin, just so," he said.
+
+"And one of those roads passes by your Chateau?" I asked.
+
+For an instant, he seemed to suspect my true meaning, and I regretted
+the word.  Then the suspicion faded and he accepted them at their face
+value.
+
+"Morals have nothing to do with a King," he laughed; "nor with the
+subject under consideration."
+
+"Apropos of the latter," said I, "I suppose I am very stupid, but I
+don't quite understand why, if you feel so about the Princess, you
+offered to aid me in getting rid of Mrs. Spencer."
+
+"Pure selfishness, cousin.  I have taken a liking to the Lady, myself."
+
+"Then, at least, I may thank you for your selfishness," I sneered.
+
+He smiled; then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him.
+
+"Come, Armand," he said, "I must be going.  Will you condescend to
+answer?"
+
+I arose.
+
+"You won't?  Well, it's not really necessary--but, have you a dice box
+handy?"
+
+"I have not."
+
+"A pack of cards, then?"
+
+"No."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Take my advice and get them--you are far,
+very far, out of the fashion, cousin mine.  However, this will serve,
+though it's rather low class," and he took out a gold coin and rang it
+on the table.  "You were an American officer and, I understand, they
+are as game a lot of men as wear swords.  Will you bear that out and
+try a toss with me?"
+
+"And the wager?" I asked.
+
+He slowly drew the chair backward; but, instead of dropping it with a
+crash, he leaned far over it toward me and said, very slowly.
+
+"Two tosses and two wagers.  The first, for the Princess; the second,
+for the Crown."
+
+I waited a moment until I could control my voice.
+
+"It will give me the most intense pleasure, my dear Duke," said I, "to
+toss you--not with yonder coin but out of yonder window.  I fancy a
+second toss would not be necessary; but, if it were, I could do it with
+as much pleasure as the first."
+
+Lotzen's face got crimson; then, gradually paled--like red-hot iron
+passing to a white heat.  He let the chair fall slowly into place; and
+so easily that I could not hear the feet strike the floor.
+
+So, for a space, we stood at gaze.  Then he spoke; and I marvelled at
+the continued calmness of his voice.
+
+"You are my superior officer, so I may not strike you nor draw against
+you.  But you will, I trust, pardon me, my dear cousin, if I tell you
+that you are a snivelling coward."
+
+"Pray, don't hide behind my temporary rank," I answered hotly.  "I
+waive it, gladly.  Anything, for a chance to puncture that rotten
+carcass of yours or to get a good fair crack at your smooth face."
+
+It was a foolish speech.  I knew it the moment it was out.  But I never
+had acquired self-restraint when aggravated by those I disliked--and I
+despised Lotzen.  Possibly, he had far better ground for despising me.
+Had our positions been reversed, I am quite sure I would have viewed
+him much as he did me--a foreigner--an interloper--a scheming
+usurper--a thief.
+
+My explosion seemed to calm the Duke.  He looked at me, intently, for a
+moment; then bowed gravely.
+
+"I beg Your Highness's pardon," he said; "you are not a coward."
+
+I might not be outdone, so I bowed back at him.  "Thank you," said I;
+"and I also beg your pardon and withdraw my adjectives."
+
+"_Merci_, Your Highness," he answered.  "Let us consider the matter
+closed?"
+
+"With pleasure," said I.
+
+"And I shall hope to have the honor of crossing swords--foils, I mean,
+with you, some day," he said meaningly.
+
+"The hope is intensely mutual, my dear Duke," I answered.
+
+He drew himself up to attention and saluted stiffly.  I returned it in
+kind.
+
+"And, with Your Highness's permission," I said, "I shall ask you to
+refrain from communicating with Mrs. Spencer.  I appreciate your offer
+but, upon second thought, I doubt the wisdom of it."
+
+"As you wish, monsieur," said he; "as you wish."
+
+
+
+
+XX
+
+A TRICK OF FENCE
+
+After Lotzen had gone, and I was able to do a bit of reflecting, I was
+pretty well convinced that he had got about as much out of me as I had
+out of him.  Of course, our mutual distrust and dislike were now openly
+avowed; but we had known it quite as well before--just as he had been
+aware of my designs on the Crown and my partiality for the Princess,
+and, I, of his purpose to defeat me for both.  He had, to use a
+military term, made a reconnoissance in force; and I had tried to meet
+him in kind and to prevent him uncovering my exact position.  How well
+I had succeeded, however, was very problematical; for I could not know
+what particular information he sought.  I was satisfied, however, his
+main purpose was to discover whether I had any knowledge or suspicion
+of him being back of Madeline Spencer.  And I was not so sure I had
+bluffed him.  I began to fancy he had seen through me, at once, and had
+played me off against myself, so to speak.  And, the longer I
+meditated, the more the fancy gripped me.  Finally, in disgust, I
+summoned Bernheim and Moore.
+
+"Which of you," said I, "will do me the favor of a few passes with the
+foils?"
+
+Of course, they both offered.
+
+"Good," said I; "I'll take you, in turn.  Send an orderly to the armory
+for the paraphernalia."
+
+I fell to divesting myself of my upper garments, and Bernheim and Moore
+followed suit.
+
+"By the way," I said, "what sort of a fencer is Lotzen?"
+
+Bernheim turned and looked at me, sharply.  Moore stopped with his
+shirt half off and did the same.
+
+"There is only one better in Valeria," said Bernheim.
+
+"So!" said I.  "And he?"
+
+The grey eyes twinkled and he actually smiled as he answered.
+
+"Colonel Moore, of Your Highness's Personal Staff."
+
+It was my turn to be surprised.  "Then, he is a very modest gentleman,"
+I said.
+
+"Like master like man," was the ready Irish reply.
+
+"You're a sad blarneyer," I laughed.  "You will be letting me disarm
+you, next."
+
+"No I won't, sir, voluntarily," he answered.  "You are not the Lotzen
+sort."
+
+"You have fenced with him?"
+
+"Frequently."
+
+"And disarmed him?"
+
+I saw Bernheim smile.
+
+"Yes, once--the first time we engaged.  He has disliked me ever since."
+
+"I am rather astonished at you," I said; "where was your finesse?"
+
+"It was quite unintentional.  He tried to work a _coup_ that is very
+little known.  Instead of the regular defence I used one I had myself
+developed--and which ends in a wrench.  I gave it a bit too vigorously
+and the Duke dropped his foil."
+
+Bernheim gave a gruff laugh.  "Dropped it!" he exclaimed.  "Aye, and so
+lightly it flew twenty feet and hit the wall near the roof."
+
+"I think," said I, "I would like to know that _coup_ and its defences."
+
+"They are yours, sir," he said.  "But I am at a loss where Lotzen got
+the attack.  It isn't known to six persons in Europe--even among the
+_maïtres_."
+
+"And your own defence?"
+
+"Is, I am sure, known to me, alone.  The man, with whom I worked it
+out, died a week after it was perfected."
+
+"But, you have fenced with Lotzen frequently since then, you say?"
+
+"Many times, sir."
+
+"Hasn't he invariably used that particular attack?"
+
+"And been met always by the regular defence.  I took no chances on his
+discovering the secret.  I am confident he thinks, now, I disarmed him
+by a mere accident."
+
+"I suppose you let him score on you occasionally?" I said.
+
+Moore shook his head.  "Never, unless it were the very limit of his
+reach.  I don't trust him--sometimes, buttons are lost from foils.  I
+try to be very diplomatic by touching him very infrequently.  Though I
+rather think it is pearls before swine; for he is too good a fencer not
+to see I am sparing him, and too jealously vindictive to appreciate my
+courtesy."
+
+I picked up a foil and made it whistle through the air.
+
+"Come, Colonel Bernheim," I said, "I am at your service.  Shall we use
+the masks?"
+
+"For Your Highness's sake, yes," he answered.  "I'm apt to be a trifle
+wild at times."
+
+There was nothing especially graceful about my senior Aide; and,
+besides being past the prime of life, he was of a rather bulky
+tallness, stolid and phlegmatic.  I could readily imagine his style,
+and a very few passes confirmed it.  He was of the ordinary type and I
+could have run him through without the least effort.  As it was, I
+touched him, presently, once on each arm--then disengaged and saluted.
+
+"I thank Your Highness," he said; "it could just as well have been my
+heart and throat a dozen times."
+
+"I am younger and more active," I explained.
+
+But he smiled it down.  "I am not sensitive, sir.  Besides, it gives me
+joy."
+
+I supposed he was thinking of Lotzen.
+
+After a short rest, Moore and I faced each other.
+
+"Let us cut the parades," I said--and Bernheim gave the word to engage.
+
+Without conceit I can say that I am more than moderately skillful with
+the sword.  It is, possibly, the one hobby of my life.  My father and
+grandfather before me were strong fencers, and one of my earliest
+recollections is being given a toy foil and put through the parades.
+There is a saying that "a swordsman is born not made," and it is a true
+one.  But, unless there is hard study and training from childhood, the
+birth gift is wasted and there is only a made-fencer in the end.  My
+good sire had appreciated this fact, and not only gave me the best
+instructors obtainable in America, but, in my second year's vacation
+from "The Point," he took me to Paris and kept me hard at work under
+the best French _maïtres_.  From that time on, I had practiced
+assiduously, and spending all my leaves in Europe and fencing in all
+the best schools of the Continent.
+
+Our blades had little more than crossed when I knew that it would take
+all my skill to hold my own, even for a short time.  Moore was, far and
+away, the best fencer I had ever encountered; and I thought I had faced
+about all the famous ones of first force.  His agility was amazing; his
+wrist like steel; his anticipation masterly.  For every time I touched
+him, he touched me twice; though none, on either side, would have been
+more than a scratch.  Then, in the midst of a fierce rally, I forced a
+pretty opening and I thrust.  No guard seemed possible--it was a sure
+_coeur_.  The next instant, there came a wrench, that almost tore off
+my fingers, and my foil flew across the room.  Moore had led me into
+the final position of Lotzen's attack, and had disarmed me exactly as
+he had the Duke.
+
+I held out my left hand to him--the right still tingled.
+
+"Beautiful!" I said.  "It's a marvellous defence and marvellously done."
+
+Moore bowed very low over my hand.  "It is a pleasure to serve under
+Your Highness," he said.
+
+"Aye! that it is," said Bernheim.
+
+He would be a very queer individual who would not be affected by such
+sincerity; and I told them so, and feelingly.
+
+Then Moore showed me the attack and its two defences; and I practiced
+them with him until I had them perfectly at command.
+
+"What would be my chances against Lotzen?" I asked.
+
+"You could kill him easily," said Moore.  "Only, be careful of his play
+in tierce; he is very strong in that."
+
+"I don't know that I want to kill him," I said.  "Yet, neither do I
+care for him to kill me."
+
+Both looked at me in quick interrogation.  I motioned for them to sit
+down.
+
+"I've had a visit from the Duke, this afternoon," I said.  And I told
+them the entire interview.
+
+Bernheim smiled sourly, when I had ended.
+
+"You may have good use, sir, for that trick of fence," he said.
+"Lotzen means mischief and that promptly."
+
+"Evidently, his visit with His Majesty and the Princess was not to his
+satisfaction," Moore remarked; "and, if Your Highness can ascertain
+just what did occur there, I'll wager it will account for his conduct
+to-day."
+
+"And it would be just as well for Your Highness to wear a steel vest,"
+said Bernheim; "it's very handy to turn a knife or a revolver bullet."
+
+I laughed,  "Of course, steel vests are such ordinary articles of
+attire they can be purchased in any shop."
+
+"I'll supply the vest," he answered, "if Your Highness will use it."
+
+"It seems absurd," I declared.
+
+"It's a wise precaution, sir," Moore urged.
+
+"One might suppose we were back in the days or the Guises," I said.
+"However, bring your coat of mail around to-night and I'll look it
+over.  But, I warn you, it will have to be a very snug fit."
+
+"I will answer for that, also," said Bernheim.
+
+Later in the afternoon, I rode over to the Field of Mars--a huge piece
+of ground on the Lake front--for the evening parade of the Cuirassiers
+of the Guard.  This was their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and
+on every one of them it had been the unbroken custom for the then
+governor of Dornlitz to be present and pass the Regiment in
+Review--saving, of course, in war-time, when it chanced to be in active
+service in the field.
+
+The crowd of spectators was enormous.  The Valerians seem to have a
+genuine love for their Army--largely, I fancy, because the Army is not
+permitted to tyrannize over the citizen.  Because a man wore the King's
+uniform gave him no privilege to insult or to maltreat those who did
+not; and conferred no immunity from proper and adequate punishment if
+he did.  The Dalberg principle is similar to the American; that the
+Army is the guardian of the civilian, not his oppressor; and that its
+business is to protect not to browbeat.  For generations, it has been
+instilled into the Valerian soldier that his uniform could be smirched
+only by himself--and stern, indeed, was the judgment of him who
+ventured to think and do otherwise.  For an officer to strike a
+civilian without just cause meant to be cashiered; and to kill one,
+save as justified by the civil law, meant to be hung as a common felon.
+I had seen enough of the other Continental Armies to be very proud of
+the Army of Valeria.
+
+It was a pretty sight--the long line of white uniformed Cuirassiers in
+burnished corselets and black-plumed helmets; with the Lake for a
+background, and rank on rank of spectators on either side.  In front,
+were the carriages of the Aristocracy of the Capital; and, as I
+galloped down to take post after the review, I could not but wonder how
+many of all that crowd regarded me with a friendly eye.  Behind me
+clattered a brilliant Staff, and in my hand was the Baton of a Marshal,
+yet, never in my life, had I felt so utterly alone as at that moment.
+And Lotzen's recent sneer, that I could hope to hold the Crown only if
+the Princess Dehra were my Queen, struck me in all its truth.  Surely,
+it was the climax of absurdity for me to aspire to rule this people, to
+whom I was a stranger and in whose eyes I would be, in effect, a pure
+usurper.
+
+Then the great band of the Regiment blared out, and I settled myself
+for the march-by.
+
+When it was over, and the last troop had broken into column and had
+trotted away, I dismissed my Staff, except Moore, and rode across to
+where I had noticed Lady Helen Radnor.
+
+"If you were not a Prince I would not speak to you," she said, as I
+dismounted.
+
+"Then," said I, as I bowed over her hand, "there is some compensation
+in being a Prince."
+
+"I have not seen you for ages," she complained.
+
+"I've been very busy."
+
+"That is no excuse among friends, sir; besides, the Princess has been
+away for weeks."
+
+"I did not imagine you would miss me," I said--and glanced at her left
+hand.
+
+She laughed, and held it up.  "The finger is quite bare," she said;
+"but, I'll take off the glove, if you wish."
+
+"I'm sorry," I said.  "He is such a good chap."
+
+She raised her eyebrows.
+
+I leaned a bit closer.  "You won't refuse him when he does offer?" I
+asked.
+
+"I suppose an Archduke cannot be impertinent," she said.
+
+"Not when he doesn't mean to be," said I.
+
+"Do you know," said she slowly, and looking at me hard, the while, "I
+was foolish enough to think, very long ago, that you rather liked me,
+yourself."
+
+"And it's just because I do--that I hoped the finger wasn't bare," I
+answered.
+
+"How deliciously unselfish!" she exclaimed.  "You will next be
+resigning the Princess to His Grace of Lotzen."
+
+"Quite between ourselves, I'll be doing nothing of the sort," I said,
+with mock confidentialness.
+
+"Nevertheless, I think I'll tell the Duke he has only to wait," said
+she.
+
+"And I'll confide to Courtney he has only to ask to be taken," I
+returned.
+
+She laughed.  "You might do it right now--here he is."
+
+I turned just as Courtney dismounted.
+
+"May I intrude, Your Royal Highness?" he asked.
+
+"Come along," said I; "Lady Helen wants to hear some gossip and I don't
+know any."
+
+A bit of a smile came into his eyes.  "And that, though you are,
+yourself, the most gossiped about individual in Dornlitz," he answered.
+
+"Another penalty of my new estate," said I; "the butt of all and the
+confidant of none."
+
+Courtney tapped my Baton.  "Have you noticed, Lady Helen, what a steady
+run of hard luck our friend, here, has had ever since he came to
+Valeria?" he asked.
+
+"Indeed I have," said she; "and I've been so sorry for him."
+
+Then she nodded most pleasantly to someone, and Courtney and I turned
+and bowed.  It was the Marquise de Vierle, wife of the French
+Ambassador.
+
+"How about her Masque to-night?" I asked; "will it be worth while?"
+
+"It's very evident you are new to Dornlitz," Courtney observed--and
+Lady Helen laughed.
+
+"The Vierle Balls outrival even the Court functions," she explained.
+
+"Are you going?" I asked her.
+
+"I am, indeed."
+
+"And you, Courtney?"
+
+"I shall look in late."
+
+I motioned to Moore.  "Who is on duty to-night?" I asked.
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"Could you manage two costumes for the Vierle Masque?"
+
+"Quite readily, sir."
+
+"Very good," I said.  "And let them be as near alike as possible," I
+added.
+
+By this time the Field was almost deserted, and, at Lady Helen's
+suggestion, Courtney and I turned our horses over to my orderly and
+drove back with her.
+
+"I suppose," said I, "that fancy dress is required to-night."
+
+"It is absolutely _de rigueur_," said Courtney; "and there is no
+unmasking."
+
+"Really!" said I.  "It promises very well."
+
+"And it realizes all it promises--maybe, a bit more," Lady Helen
+laughed.
+
+"How shall I recognize you?" I asked.
+
+She considered a moment.  "I am to stay the night with the Marquise,
+and we shall both wear white silk court gowns of the period of Henry of
+Navarre.  I'll also put a red rose in my hair."
+
+"And I," said Courtney, "will be caparisoned in a plum velvet court
+suit, à la Louis Quinze.  You will know me easily by the awkward way I
+handle the high red heels."
+
+"As I don't know what Moore will provide for me," said I, "I will adopt
+Lady Helen's rose; and, as I can't fasten it in my hair, I'll carry it
+in my mouth."
+
+"A good idea," said Courtney; "and I'll put one in my button hole."
+
+
+
+
+XXI
+
+THE BAL MASQUE
+
+When Moore and I entered the French Embassy, that night, my own valet
+could not have distinguished which was the Aide and which the Archduke.
+By some means, which I did not bother to inquire, Moore had secured two
+suits of black velvet, of the time of the Thirteenth Louis, which were
+marvels in fit and style.  We were of one height and very similar in
+frame--there being but a few pounds difference in our weights--and,
+with the long curls under the big hats with their flowing plumes, and
+the black silk masks, we were as alike as twins.  Even our swords were
+similar--long, leather-sheathed rapiers with dead gold hilts.
+
+Under my doublet I laced the steel vest Bernheim brought me.  It and
+one other were made by a famous Milan armorer three hundred years ago,
+Bernheim said; and the two had been in his family ever since.  And, so
+far as he knew, there were no others like them in all Europe; not even
+in the Museums.  It was a wonderful piece of work, truly.  The links
+were small and yielding and so cunningly joined that it was as pliable
+as knitted wool, and much less bulky.  Indeed, when rolled into a ball,
+it was no bigger than a man's fist.  It looked quite too flimsy to
+afford any protection; yet, when I saw it proof against a bullet fired
+from a revolver and also turn repeated sword thrusts, I was, perforce,
+convinced.  And I was completely won when I donned it; it was like a
+vest of silk.  And I was well pleased it was so; for I was wearing it
+simply to oblige good old Bernheim, who seemed so earnest about it.  I
+had no notion it would be of any service to me that night.
+
+As everyone came masked, admission was, of course, only by card, after
+which all were conducted singly to a small room where the mask was
+removed and identification satisfactorily established by the
+Ambassador's Secretary.
+
+It chanced, when my turn came, that the Marquis de Vierle, himself, was
+in the room; and, when he saw my face, his welcome was intensely
+ardent.  He apologized effusively that I had been received at the
+regular entrance and, so, had been compelled to wait my turn for
+identification--but, surely, my regrets had been noted.
+
+I told him he was quite right--that I had regretted, and that the
+apology was, really, due from me for coming, and that I had enjoyed
+being pushed and jostled, once again, like an ordinary mortal.  He
+wanted to treat me with all the deference due me and I very firmly
+declined.  I told him, frankly, I was there to see and enjoy and not to
+be seen nor to receive special attentions.  I asked him, as a
+particular favor, to tell no one of my presence and to permit me to
+remain absolutely incog.; that, for this night, I was plain Armand
+Dalberg and not a Royal Highness nor an Archduke.
+
+The house was one of the largest in the Capital, standing in a park of
+its own, on the edge of the inner town, and had been the residence of
+the French Legation for a century.  It had been improved and added to,
+at various periods, until it had taken on about every known style of
+architecture.  And, as a result, there were queer passages and many
+unexpected recesses.  The furniture was as varied as the building; and
+the tapestries and pictures and frescoes were rather famous.  The
+grounds, however, were the main attraction; they covered twenty acres
+and were maintained exactly as originally laid out by a famous Italian
+landscape artist--with immense trees and huge hedges and narrow walks
+and wonderful vistas.
+
+The Marquise de Vierle welcomed her guests alone in one of the small
+reception rooms; everyone entering singly and unmasking--she, herself,
+being as yet, in ordinary evening dress.  She was a very handsome
+woman, much younger than the Marquis, and of the very oldest French
+Aristocracy--a _grande dame_ in bearing as well as in birth.
+
+"Your Royal Highness does us great honor," she said, as I bowed over
+her hand.
+
+I answered her in suit, and we tossed the usual number of compliments
+back and forth.
+
+"Whom shall we bid join you at supper?" she asked.
+
+"My dear Marquise," I protested, "you have your personal party
+selected--doubtless invited; and my unexpected coming must not break
+your arrangements.  Let me wander about, and pay no more regard to me
+than to your most ordinary guest."
+
+But she declined to excuse me; insisting that she had made no choice,
+except Lady Helen Radnor, who happened to be staying the night with
+her.  So, without being churlish, I could decline no longer.
+
+"If your Ladyship will make the list very small, and, then, engage to
+give me all your smiles I shall accept with pleasure," I said.
+
+"I will promise both," she said.  "Who attends you to-night?"
+
+"My Aide, Colonel Moore."
+
+"Suppose, then, we make it a party of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
+Countess de Relde, Mademoiselle d'Essoldé and the American Ambassador."
+
+"Charming!" I exclaimed; "charming!"
+
+"And what hour will Your Highness be served?" she asked.
+
+"At whatever hour Madame la Marquise fixes."
+
+"Say, one o'clock, then--in the blue breakfast room; it is quiet and
+retired."
+
+I bowed again over her hand and was withdrawing, when the Marquise
+stopped me.
+
+"Would not Your Highness like to know some of the Masques?" she asked.
+
+"Very much, indeed," said I.
+
+"Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains,
+yonder--and, when you are tired, there is a door, which slides without
+noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the Garden.
+_Comprenez vous, Monsieur le Prince_?"
+
+I laughed.  "Perfectly," said I.  "And I may have Colonel Moore with
+me?  There will be many faces I shall not know."
+
+"He is without?" she asked.
+
+"Yes--and costumed somewhat like myself."
+
+She touched a bell; I held up my mask.
+
+"Admit the gentleman in black velvet, like Monsieur," she ordered.
+
+"Goodness!" she exclaimed, when Moore entered.
+
+"Puzzle," said I.  "Pick the Archduke."
+
+"Impossible--and, if you two go around together, some of my guests will
+think they are getting double vision very early in the evening."
+
+From the recess, we could see all that entered and hear every word
+said.  And it struck me how very eloquent it was of the character of
+the Marquise de Vierle that she should, deliberately, provide a
+concealed audience while she greeted--alone--every man and woman of
+Dornlitz Society.  I must admit I rather enjoyed the experience--though
+I very rarely guessed the face behind the mask.  It is astonishing how
+effectively an unusual costume disguises even those we know well.
+
+Suddenly, the Marquis entered hurriedly.
+
+"Do you know, Claire," he said, "that the American Archduke is here
+to-night?"
+
+Instantly I laid my hand on the sliding door.  It was time for us to be
+going.  And the door refused to move.  I looked at Moore, who shrugged
+his shoulders.  I could imagine the smile his mask concealed.  But the
+Marquise met the situation with a laugh.
+
+"I do indeed--and I rather fancy you will find His Highness in yonder
+recess," she said.
+
+I parted the curtains and stepped out--and Colonel Moore beside me.
+
+"Madame la Marquise has taken pity on the stranger," I said; "and has
+given him an opportunity to recognize his friends."
+
+If the diplomat were surprised, no one would have guessed it--except
+that his bow was more than usually low.
+
+"It is a great privilege, my dear Prince, if we can be of any use to
+you," he said.
+
+I took a sudden resolve.  "I very much fear my unexpected presence
+to-night is a source of concern and inconvenience to Your Excellency,"
+I said.  "With your permission I will take my leave," and I made to go.
+
+Vierle came quickly to me.
+
+"It will make the Marquise and me most unhappy, if you do," he said.
+"And I shall tell you frankly what brought me here.  The lady who
+styles herself your wife is among the guests--she is in the next room,
+now, waiting to be admitted.  My purpose was to have the Marquise
+request her to depart at once."
+
+I laughed, and put my hand on his shoulder.
+
+"So far as I am concerned," I said, "I pray you do nothing of the sort.
+The lady does not bother me in the slightest.  Besides, she will not
+know I'm here--and I shall not present myself to her, you may be sure."
+
+"Yet, we owe Your Highness an explanation of her presence," the
+Marquise exclaimed.
+
+"My dear Madame de Vierle, you owe me nothing of the sort," I said.  "I
+am still enough of an American to think that a hostess is never called
+upon to explain a guest.  And, what is more, the whole difficulty is of
+my own making, in coming after I had declined."
+
+"Surely, Your Highness is very gracious; yet, I would very much prefer
+to explain," she said.  "It was this way: Madeline Stafford and I were
+friends and schoolmates in Paris.  We both married about the same time
+and, then, lost touch with each other.  I had neither seen nor heard
+from her until I received a note some weeks ago.  After Your Highness
+regretted for to-night, I sent her a card.  I mentioned the matter to
+the Duke of Lotzen and he said that, under the circumstances, and as
+everyone would be masked, it would be entirely proper.  That is my
+explanation."
+
+"And one amply sufficient; even if any were required," I said.
+
+I thought I saw my dear cousin's game.
+
+"And you are quite sure you do not object to her remaining?"
+
+"Quite sure," said I; "and I even hope she will enjoy herself.  I
+shall, I know.  And, at supper, I'll confide my adventures to your
+Ladyship."  Then I took a shot in the dark.  "And I know His Highness
+of Lotzen will be forever sorry he could not be here to-night," I added.
+
+"He was good enough to call and tell me so," was the answer.
+
+I was sure, now, I saw my dear cousin's game.
+
+Then I bowed over the Marquise's hand and Moore and I went out through
+the sliding door--which, when the Marquis rolled it back for us, I saw
+was not locked.  In my haste I had not seen the small brass button
+which released the latch.
+
+"It's a pity Vierle didn't tell us what costume Mrs. Spencer is
+wearing," Moore remarked, as we reached the Garden.
+
+I stopped short.  "What a blunderer I am.  It would be better if you
+did the thinking for me."
+
+"Shall I go back and ask him?"
+
+"It will keep until supper," said I.  "In the meantime, let us hunt up
+Courtney and Lady Helen."  I explained to him how to distinguish them;
+then, taking from my doublet a small package wrapped in foil, I
+selected a red rose and put it in my mouth.
+
+"Now," said I, "let us have a look around."
+
+For a time I was more occupied with the beauty of the Garden than with
+my fellow-masques, and I left it to Moore to keep a careful eye for the
+other two red roses.  I could not but notice, however, that we were
+attracting much attention; by reason, I assumed, of our striking
+similarity; and a number of times Moore replied wittily to some
+pleasant banter flung at us.  I should say, perhaps, that the grounds
+were so thoroughly lighted with electricity that they were as bright as
+day; the lamps being so carefully distributed that there were,
+practically, no shadows.
+
+Presently, on the bank of a miniature lake near the farthest wall, we
+came upon three women and a man.
+
+"The Dromios," said one of the women.
+
+"Satan's Twins," laughed another.
+
+"A pair of black Knaves," echoed the third.
+
+The man laughed, but said nothing.
+
+I put my hand through Moore's arm and swung him around.
+
+"Why not add us to your own Knave and then give us a Queen apiece?" I
+asked.
+
+She, who had spoken last, clapped her hands.
+
+"Delicious!" she exclaimed.  "Will monsieur be my Knave?"
+
+The voice was very soft and musical, and I saw Moore glance quickly at
+her.
+
+"That will I, my lady," said I; and stepped forward and kissed her
+hand; then drew it through my arm.
+
+"Who chooses the other black Knave?" asked Moore, sweeping off his hat,
+and bowing with it held across his heart.  I noted he had changed his
+voice.
+
+"I do," said she who had styled us "Satan's Twins;" and she gave him
+her hand.
+
+He, who had been with them, shrugged his shoulders and turned to her
+who had spoken first, "Mademoiselle," said he, "I am waiting to be
+chosen."
+
+She laughed.  "Mademoiselle will be deeply honored," she said, "if
+monsieur will deign to accept the only Queen that is left."
+
+It chanced that none of these four Masques had gone through the
+reception room while we were behind the curtains, so, of course, I had
+not the slightest notion of their identity.  It was quite possible
+Moore would be able to make a good guess; and, I fancied, he had
+already placed my Queen--she of the musical laugh.  However, so long as
+they did not discover me, it mattered not at all who they were.  I
+could trust Moore to get me away from them if he found it wise.  So I
+devoted myself to my companion.
+
+She was of good height and rather slender, and wore a blue gown, with
+powdered hair.  Her face and ears were completely hidden by her mask,
+but, judging from the bit of neck that was visible, and other
+indications, she was not over twenty-five.  I let her pick the way, and
+we led the others slowly around through the part of the Garden most
+removed from the house and where the Masques were fewest.  I took it,
+that she had no desire to be prominent, and I was very well content.
+
+She was a rare flirt, though--that, I knew, before we had gone a
+hundred yards; and it kept my wits very busy to hold my own even
+moderately well, and to keep from giving her any clue to my identity.
+
+"Do you know, monsieur," she said, presently, "you and your friend are
+not the only two men here, to-night, who are dressed alike?"
+
+"Are they black knaves, too?" I asked.
+
+She tapped me on the arm with her fan.
+
+"Don't be sarcastic, my dear," she said; "though, I admit, we were very
+forward."
+
+"Nonsense!" I replied.  "This is a Masque.  Only, are you quite sure we
+were the first men you bantered?"
+
+"You forget, sir; Folly has no past," she said.
+
+"A true word, mademoiselle," I agreed.  "Shall it be so with us when we
+part?"
+
+She looked up at me a moment.
+
+"Monsieur must be married," she laughed.
+
+"Every man is married--or hopes to be," said I.
+
+She tapped me again with her fan.
+
+"You forget, again," she said.  "Folly never--moralizes."
+
+"True," said I, "she hasn't any morals."
+
+"Why make Folly feminine?" she asked.  "Methinks, there is usually a
+Knave for every Queen."
+
+"Methinks, I know one Queen who could have Knaves as many as she
+listed," I answered, bending down and trying to see her eyes.
+
+But she quickly interposed her fan.
+
+"I am masked, monsieur," she said.
+
+I ignored the reproof.  "That," said I, "is my supreme regret."
+
+"_Merci, mon ami_," she said.  "You may kiss my hand when you leave me."
+
+"Only your hand?" I asked.
+
+"Not even that, now," she retorted--then turned and leaned against the
+hedge.
+
+Two men were coming down the path toward us.
+
+"Here are the other twin Knaves," she said.
+
+And it was true enough--they were as alike as Moore and myself; only,
+they wore white satin small clothes and powdered perukes.  They were in
+earnest conversation, but broke off as they neared us.
+
+"_Parbleu_!" exclaimed the man with us.  "There seems to be a plague of
+twins to-night."
+
+One of the White Masques made as though to halt, but the other
+whispered something and tried to draw him on.
+
+Our fellow laughed irritatingly, and waved his hand toward Moore and me.
+
+"We've got a pair of Knaves here, also," he bantered; "perchance, the
+four of you are from the same pack."
+
+The White Masque turned quickly.  "Then it would be a pack, monsieur,
+in which you would be about equal to the deuce," he said.
+
+"Or the joker," said the other, as they moved away, "which, in a
+gentleman's game, has no place."
+
+Our man made a quick step toward them; but Moore caught him sharply by
+the shoulder.
+
+"Let them go," he said curtly.
+
+The other hesitated--then shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"For the present be it, then," he said.
+
+"And, look you, sir," Moore went on; "I do not know you, but, if you
+will take my poor advice, you will let it be for the future, too."  He
+offered his arm to his companion.  "Mademoiselle, shall we continue the
+stroll?"
+
+"What a queer speech," said my Masque, "one might almost fancy they
+were of royal rank."
+
+"The King, possibly," I suggested.
+
+"Nonsense, monsieur; you know perfectly well His Majesty is not in
+Dornlitz."
+
+"The Duke of Lotzen and the American Archduke, then."
+
+She laughed.  "Very likely; very likely, indeed!"
+
+"Mademoiselle is pleased to ridicule."
+
+"And monsieur is pleased to affect ignorance."
+
+"Of what?" I asked.
+
+"When did your Knaveship come to Dornlitz?"
+
+"Very recently."
+
+"You must be a very stupid--diplomat."
+
+"I am," I agreed.
+
+"Do you know the 'American Archduke,' as you call him?"
+
+"Very slightly," said I.
+
+"Doubtless you would rather know his wife," she said naïvely.
+
+"Then you think he is married?" I asked.
+
+"Of course, monsieur--so does everyone--don't you?"
+
+"No," said I.  "I don't."
+
+She laughed.  "You mean you don't want to think so,----madame is very
+beautiful--_n'est ce pas_?"
+
+"Do you know her?" I asked evasively.
+
+"No, monsieur; do you?"
+
+"I have met her."
+
+"Oh!  Oh!" she exclaimed.  Then she looked at me quickly.  "I thought
+she received no visitors."
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.  "The lady does not interest me," I said; "let
+us talk of something else."
+
+"Of the American Archduke, then," she suggested.
+
+"Why not of yourself?" I urged.
+
+"I am only a Masque--the American may be a King."
+
+"Not likely," I scoffed.
+
+"Are you for Lotzen?" she demanded.
+
+"Diplomats are neutral," said I; "but, _entre nous_, I have become
+rather interested in the American."
+
+"So have I," said she.  "He is very handsome."
+
+"Thank you," I said, involuntarily.
+
+She stopped and looked at me.  I was glad, indeed, for the mask.
+
+"What is it?" I asked.
+
+"Would you mind repeating that last remark?" she said.
+
+I pretended surprise.
+
+"You said the American was very handsome and I said 'thank you.'  I
+mean I don't agree with you."
+
+"Oh!" she answered.
+
+But I would have been better satisfied if I could have seen her face.
+
+"I wouldn't let the Valerians know it," she went on.  "He is the
+perfect double of the great national Hero."
+
+"So I've heard."
+
+"And it's no small item in his popularity."
+
+"I didn't know he was popular," I said.--This was getting interesting.
+
+"Really, monsieur, your ignorance of the very matters, which you should
+know, would suggest you are an American diplomat."
+
+"Your Ladyship is severe," I said.
+
+"I meant to be--though there are exceptions; the present Ambassador is
+one.  He ranks with the best of his fellows."
+
+"Now, that," said I, "I have heard."
+
+She laughed.  "Come, monsieur, lay aside this affected ignorance and
+gossip a bit.  Is the American to marry the Princess Royal?"
+
+"I thought you were insisting, a moment since, that he had a wife," I
+observed.
+
+"Oh, that's of no consequence.  It will be very easy to divorce her."
+
+Here, doubtless, was the popular view of this matter; and it gave me
+the shudders.
+
+Then the swing of a waltz came from the house.
+
+"Shall we dance?" I said.
+
+She smiled.  "Monsieur is bored--let us wait for my friends."
+
+I protested; but she was firm.  And, so, when the others came up, Moore
+and I made our adieux.
+
+When we were out of hearing, Moore handed me a bit of paper.
+
+"This just reached me,'" he said.
+
+It was from the Secret Police and read:
+
+
+"S. is at Vierle Masque.  She wears a gypsy dress of black and red.  L.
+is also at Masque--he and Count Bigler are dressed alike in white
+satin.  L. came last and his presence is unknown to the Vierles for he
+avoided unmasking by personating Bigler."
+
+
+"So, they were the White Twins," I remarked.
+
+"You knew them?"
+
+"I knew only Lotzen."
+
+"Hence your advice to our quick-tempered companion--who was he?"
+
+"I couldn't make him out," said Moore; "but he knew the women and was
+their escort from the house."
+
+"He seemed to be a bit sour about something."
+
+"My companion said it was because the Blue Masque chose you."
+
+"She was very charming," said I.  "Who was she?"
+
+"I knew neither his nor mine," said he evasively.
+
+"But mine?" I insisted.  "She of the sweet voice--which, Colonel, I
+observed, you noted."
+
+He hesitated an instant; then answered:
+
+"Mademoiselle d'Essoldé."
+
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed.  If rumor spoke truly, Mademoiselle d'Essoldé
+carried Moore's heart in her keeping.  Then I laughed.  "Never mind,
+Colonel, we shall see her at supper, presently--she will be beside you,
+I think."
+
+"Your Highness is very thoughtful," he said.
+
+"Don't give me the credit--it was Lady Vierle's idea," I answered--and
+changed the subject.  "What is Lotzen up to now," I asked.
+
+"Some deviltry--either women or you."
+
+"I think it's both," said I.  "The Marquise consulted him as to sending
+Mrs. Spencer an invitation, and you remember how careful he was to call
+in person to regret he could not come to-night.  He saw, at once, his
+opportunity for a talk with Mrs. Spencer.  Depend on it, that is the
+explanation of the White Twins, and of Lotzen's evading identification.
+I dare say he already has an alibi perfected.
+
+"He has had no chance to see her, yet," said Moore.  "I'll have her
+ordered to her hotel."
+
+"No, she must remain," said I; "I'm committed to the Marquise.
+Besides, I'm minded to play their own game for them, a bit.  Do you
+think Lotzen knows I'm at the Masque?"
+
+Moore thought a moment.  "Lady Vierle told him you were not coming,
+when she asked as to Mrs. Spencer," he said.  "And he may have let it
+go at that; but it wouldn't be his usual method.  My last order, before
+we left the Epsau, was that you were indisposed and had retired and, on
+no account, were you to be disturbed without Bernheim's express
+permission.  But, servants are purchasable and spies are plenty, and
+Lotzen knows how to reach the first and use the second.  On the whole,
+it is likely he has been advised that you are here, though he may not
+know your costume.  The long military cloaks completely hid our dress;
+and you will recall that, at my suggestion, we concealed our hats under
+them until we were in the carriage."
+
+"I can't get used to this espionage," I said.  "Suppose we take a look
+around for the Gypsy Lady; doubtless, we shall find her with a White
+Masque."
+
+We were on a walk bordered by a hedge of boxwood, shoulder high.  On
+the other side, was another path with several Masques on it.  Suddenly,
+one of them, as he passed, reached over the hedge and struck me in the
+back with a dagger.
+
+The blow sent me plunging forward, but did me no hurt.  I owed my life
+to Bernheim.  His steel vest had stayed the blade that, otherwise,
+would have found my heart.
+
+With a cry, Moore sprang to me and caught me in his arms.
+
+"I'm not hurt," I said, recovering my balance.
+
+"Thank God!" he ejaculated--then took the hedge at a vault.
+
+I caught him by the arm as he landed on the other side.
+
+"Stay," I commanded.  "Let the fellow go."
+
+Moore looked at me a moment.  "Let him go?" he exclaimed incredulously.
+
+I nodded.  "And come along--let us get away from here."
+
+Without a word, he vaulted back and we moved off.
+
+The whole thing had occurred so unexpectedly and so swiftly that the
+few Masques, who had been in the vicinity, evidently had not noticed
+the murderous nature of the assault; and the peculiar arrangement of
+the hedges and trees had enabled my assailant to disappear almost
+instantly.  Indeed, but for Moore's vaulting the boxwood after him, it
+is likely no one would have suspected anything unusual.
+
+Several men came up and inquired if they could be of any assistance,
+but I assured them it was a matter of no consequence--that I had,
+evidently, been mistaken for another--or it was only a bit of
+pleasantry from some friend who had recognized me.
+
+"But that you are uninjured," remarked one, "I should almost say it was
+a case of attempted assassination."
+
+I laughed.  "An assassination would fit in well with the costumes and
+the garden--everything is mediaeval to-night."
+
+"Except the electric lights," Moore threw in, dryly; and we bowed
+ourselves away.
+
+"I suppose we may now assume that somebody knows my disguise," I
+observed.  "Did you see my friend with the dagger?"
+
+"Yes--as much of him as there was to see--he wore a long black cloak
+and was rather above medium size.  If Your Highness had not stopped me
+I might have caught him."
+
+"That's just why I stopped you," said I.  "I didn't want to embarrass
+the De Vierles.  Think what it would mean to them to have it known that
+one of their guests had attempted to stab to death an Archduke."
+
+"Hum--I don't see why that is more important than protecting your life."
+
+"My dear Colonel," said I, "if it were a question between my life and
+Lady Vierle's temporary embarrassment, I would look after my life.  But
+my life is still safe, and in no more danger with that rogue at large
+than with him caught."
+
+"It would be one less scoundrel for Lotzen to work with," Moore
+objected.
+
+"I fancy he has got so many scoundrels on his pay roll that one, more
+or less, won't matter," I answered.  "But, I've no objection to a quiet
+inquiry as to this assault--it may come very handy, some time--so, do
+you look up the Secret Service Officer, in charge here to-night, and
+give him such facts as you deem proper, and let a report be made to me
+in the morning."
+
+"First, let me escort you to the house," he insisted.
+
+I put my hand on his arm.  "Lotzen may have his hired bravoes," I said,
+"but I'm blessed with two good friends in you and Bernheim."
+
+The warm-hearted Irishman took my hand and pressed it.
+
+"We both are Your Highness's servants until death," he said.
+
+"I'm in no further danger to-night, I fancy," said I.  "And here come
+Lady Helen and the American Ambassador.  I'll remain with them.  When
+you have done your errand rejoin me."
+
+
+
+
+XXII
+
+BLACK KNAVE AND WHITE
+
+There were three women and a man in the approaching party, and it
+chanced I knew them all.  Courtney had a red rose fastened
+conspicuously on his breast, and Lady Helen wore a great bunch of them
+in her hair--another was gowned like her and, so, must be the Marquise
+de Vierle herself--the fourth was Mademoiselle d'Essoldé.
+
+"If you wish," said I, barring the path and sweeping the ground with my
+feather, "I'll hunt another rose.  I've been searching for you so long
+that the one I began with has gone to pieces."
+
+"Of course, Your Highness would never think of looking in the Ball
+Room," said Lady Helen.
+
+Mademoiselle d'Essoldé started and, then, drew a bit back.
+
+"Never, indeed, until I had searched the Garden," I retorted.  Then I
+bowed to Mademoiselle d'Essoldé as the Marquise presented her.  I could
+see she was very much embarrassed, so I tried to reassure her by being
+extremely cordial.
+
+The Marquise wanted to show Courtney the bridge and the lake, and, when
+we passed the place where Moore and I had met the Queens--as I had
+styled them--Mademoiselle d'Essoldé found her opportunity and whispered:
+
+"Will Your Royal Highness ever forgive me?"
+
+"On one condition," I said.
+
+"It's granted--name it."
+
+"That you be nice to him who sits beside you at supper, to-night."
+
+She looked at me a moment--masks are very annoying when one wants to
+see the face.
+
+"That will be an easy penance," she said--and I understood she had been
+told who that man was to be.
+
+I bent toward her.  "Let him know it, then," I said earnestly.
+
+"Your Highness likes him?" she asked.
+
+"I do more than like him," I said.
+
+She threw a quick glance up at me.
+
+"Maybe I do, too," she laughed.
+
+"Good," said I; then began to speak of something else.  There is just
+as proper a point to quit a subject as to start it.
+
+The grass on the bank of the lake was quite dry and Lady Helen
+suggested that we sit down.
+
+"This reminds me of a garden in Florence," she said.  "Someone might
+tell us a story from Boccaccio."
+
+The Marquise held up her hands in affected horror.
+
+"Helen!  Helen!  You're positively shocking," she said.
+
+"Lady Helen evidently believes in living up to our costumes," I
+ventured.
+
+"Why not?" she laughed, "since the masks hide our faces?"
+
+"Very good, my dear," said Lady Vierle, "you tell the first story; we
+will take our cue from you."
+
+Lady Helen removed her mask.  "Then, that is your first cue," she said.
+
+"I breathe easier," Mademoiselle d'Essoldé remarked.
+
+"We all do," said I--then, suddenly, replaced mine and arose.
+
+"Indulge me for a moment," I said, and sauntered over to the path a
+little distance away; nor answered the chaffing that was flung after
+me.  I had seen a woman in gypsy dress and a cavalier in white coming
+slowly down the walk.  I did not doubt it was Mrs. Spencer and Lotzen,
+and I intended to let them know they were recognized.
+
+As we neared each other, I halted and stared at them with the most
+obvious deliberation.  The gypsy made some remark to her companion, to
+which he nodded.  I had little notion they would address me; and,
+certainly, none that they would stop.  But, there (though whether it
+was pure bravado or because my attitude was particularly irritating, I
+know not), Lotzen gave me another surprise.
+
+He paused in front of me and looked me over from head to foot.
+
+"Monsieur seems interested," he said, making no effort to disguise his
+tones.
+
+I made no answer.
+
+"And I hope monsieur will pardon me if I tell him his manners are
+atrocious," he went on.
+
+Again, no answer.
+
+"Though, of course, no one could ever expect monsieur to understand
+why," he continued.
+
+Of a sudden, it dawned on my slow brain that Lotzen did not know
+whether it was Moore or I that confronted him, and he wanted to hear my
+voice.  I saw no utility in obliging him; so, I stood impassive,
+staring calmly at them.
+
+Lotzen turned to his companion.
+
+"Speak to him, mademoiselle," he said; "perchance the dulcet tones of
+Beauty may move the Beast to speech."
+
+I smiled at him addressing her as "mademoiselle."
+
+She shook her head.  "Methinks it's Balaam not Beauty you need."
+
+He laughed.  "Even that does not stir him--the fellow must be deaf."
+
+"Try signs on him." she suggested.
+
+"Good!  I'll sign to him we want to see his face."
+
+"How, pray?"
+
+"By pulling off his mask," he answered--and put out his hand, as though
+to do it.  With his fingers almost on it, he paused.
+
+I stood quite still.  I felt perfectly sure he would not touch me; but,
+if he did, I intended to knock him down.  And I was not mistaken.
+After a moment, he dropped his arm.
+
+The woman laughed.  "Your nerve failed--his didn't," she said dryly.
+
+"Not at all, mademoiselle.  I thought of a better way.--Observe."
+
+He slowly drew the long narrow-bladed sword, that went with his
+costume, and, taking the point in his left hand, bowed over it in mock
+courtesy.
+
+"Will monsieur have the extreme kindness to remove his mask," he said.
+
+I admit I was a bit astonished.  Surely, this was rushing things with a
+vengeance--to deliberately raise a situation that meant either a fight
+or a complete back-down by one of us.  And, as he would scarcely
+imagine I would do the latter, he must have intended to force a duel.
+
+There might have been another reason, assuming that he was interested
+only in my identity:--this procedure would have told him; for Moore
+would not have dared draw sword on the Heir Presumptive.  But I have
+never thought such was his idea; for he must have been very well
+satisfied, by this time, that none but an equal in rank would have
+acted so toward him.
+
+And, being convinced that it was I that fronted him, he had suddenly
+seen an opportunity to accomplish in open fight what his hired assassin
+had bungled.  It is notorious that American officers know practically
+nothing of the art of fence; what easier than to drive me into drawing
+on him and, then, after a bit of play, to run me neatly through the
+heart.  What mattered it if he were the aggressor?  It would be easy to
+aver he had not known me--that I had chosen to insult him, and, having
+refused to unmask and apologize, had suffered the consequences of my
+own rashness and bad manners.
+
+And, even suppose no one believed his story that he did not know me.
+What mattered it?  One does not execute the Heir Presumptive of Valeria
+for murder.  True, the King might rage--and a term of banishment to his
+mountain estates might follow; yet, what trifling penalties for the end
+attained.  They would be only for the moment, as it were.  But the
+American would be dead--the Crown sure--the Princess still unmarried.
+
+Truly, it was a chance which would never come again; and not to seize
+it was to mock Fortune to her very face.
+
+It takes far longer to write this than to think it.  It all went
+through my mind in the brief space Lotzen gave me for reply.
+
+"I am waiting, monsieur," he said.
+
+The Gypsy laughed softly.
+
+"You tell him so much he already knows," said she.
+
+Lotzen looked at her--in surprise, I doubt not.
+
+"Mademoiselle is impatient," he remarked.
+
+She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
+
+Then he bowed again to me.
+
+"You see, monsieur," he said, "you tire the Lady; I must ask you to
+make haste."
+
+If anyone think it easy to stand, stolidly, in one position for a
+considerable period, and have impertinent things said to him the while,
+let him try it.  He will be very apt to change his notion.  But, I
+stuck to it; and my soldier training helped me--and the mask relieved
+my face.
+
+"You are stubborn, monsieur, as well as bad mannered.  I shall have to
+spur you, I see," he went on.  "I ask you, once again, monsieur, to
+remove your mask.  If you do not, I shall give you a bit of steel in
+the left leg."
+
+"And, if that be ineffective?" the lady asked.
+
+"Then, I shall touch him in the other leg--and, if he still refuses,
+then, in the right arm--and, then, if necessary, in the left arm; each
+time a trifle deeper."
+
+"And, then----?" she inflected, very sweetly.
+
+"Then?" he repeated.  "I think there will be no need for a 'then,'
+mademoiselle," he laughed sneeringly.
+
+She nodded toward me.
+
+"Isn't it about time to begin?" she asked.
+
+"Your wish, my dear, is my law," he said.  "You hear, monsieur; your
+time is up--prepare."
+
+He stepped forward and thrust, very slowly, at my thigh.  Even then, I
+could not think that he would actually dare to touch me with his sword;
+and I made no motion.  I proposed to call his bluff--if it were one.
+
+Closer and closer, inch by inch, drew the point.  It reached the
+velvet--hesitated--passed through--and just pierced my flesh--then, was
+withdrawn.
+
+And, with that cut, came the blood-lust, like unto the rage of the
+berserker of old.  Yet, somehow, I had the sense to stand quiet and let
+the red passion burn itself out.  I would need all my coolness to meet
+Lotzen's skill.
+
+"Now, will monsieur remove his mask?" he asked.
+
+"You scarcely touched him," scoffed the Gypsy.
+
+Lotzen held up the sword.
+
+"See the red upon the point?" he asked.
+
+"Blood!  You actually cut him!" she exclaimed--then pointed her finger
+at me, derisively.  "And you wear a sword!" she sneered.
+
+It was pretty hard to take.  But I had a notion, foolish, possibly, to
+play the game a little longer.
+
+"Come along, my friend," she went on.  "This is poor sport.  I hate a
+coward."
+
+For an instant, I feared he would heed her and go--and that would have
+obliged me to become the aggressor; which I much preferred not to be.
+
+"A coward!" he laughed--and looked at me.  "You hear that, monsieur: a
+coward."  Then he put his hand on her arm.  "You are quite right, my
+dear, it is poor sport," he said.  "Yet, stay a moment longer.  I shall
+forego the other cuts and tear off his mask, instead."
+
+"And permit him to wear a sword?" she mocked.  "Surely, not!  Why don't
+you break it?"
+
+"A charming suggestion--thank you.--You hear my Lady's wish, Monsieur
+le Coquin," he said to me, and presenting his blade at my breast.
+"Will you yield your sword or shall I be obliged to take it from you?"
+
+At last, Lotzen had driven me to action, in pointing his sword at my
+breast.  If he touched it my steel vest would be disclosed, at once;
+and that was not to my mind.  It would explain the failure of his
+bravo's dagger.  More than that I did not care for.  Doubtless, he was
+wearing one himself at that very moment.  One usually ascribes to his
+enemy methods similar to one's own--and, as Lotzen dealt in
+assassination, he would expect me to do the same.
+
+I waited a moment.  Then, stepping quickly out of reach, I drew my own
+sword.
+
+"Here it is, my Lord," I said.  "Which end will you take?"
+
+"The only end that you can give me, monsieur--the hilt," was the answer.
+
+"Come and get it, then," I drawled.
+
+He turned to the Gypsy.
+
+"Will mademoiselle pardon me," he said.
+
+"Will you be long?" she asked.
+
+"Only a moment.  I'll make it very short."
+
+"I'll wait," she said carelessly.
+
+He bowed to her--and then faced me.
+
+"Has Monsieur le Coquin any particular spot in which he prefers to
+receive my point?" he asked.
+
+"None, my Lord," I answered; "I shall leave that to your own good
+taste."
+
+"_Merci_, monsieur, _merci_!" he said, and saluted.  "Yet, I may not be
+outdone in generosity.  Therefore, in exchange for your hilt, monsieur,
+you shall have the whole length of my blade in your heart."
+
+"That, my Lord, is on the Knees of the Gods," I said.
+
+Then our swords fell to talking and our tongues were still.
+
+[Illustration: Then our swords fell to talking in the garden of the
+masked ball.]
+
+The turf was free of brush or trees; and, as I have already said, the
+illumination was so arranged that, practically, there were no shadows.
+The Garden seemed almost as bright as day; indeed, save that the light
+was white, we might, just as well, have been duelling at noon-tide as
+at midnight.
+
+It had not been hard to gather, from Lotzen's last remarks to his
+companion, what sort of a fight he proposed making; and, after the
+usual preliminary testing of strength, I contented myself with the
+simplest sort of defence and awaited the main attack.
+
+It seems hardly possible that two men could engage in a combat with
+rapiers, at such an occasion, and not draw a crowd.  There is something
+peculiarly penetrating about the ring of steel on steel at night.  Yet,
+such was the extent of the grounds and, so retired was our locality,
+that no strangers were attracted.  Almost at the first stroke, however,
+I heard exclamations from the direction of my companions.  In a moment,
+Courtney came running up, his drawn sword in hand--and the others after
+him.
+
+I had plenty of use for my eyes with the immediate business in hand;
+but, as I chanced to be facing them, I had a vision of Courtney--his
+mask off--leaning forward intently watching the fight.  Then, he calmly
+returned sword and drew back.
+
+I heard the Marquise exclaim: "_Mon Dieu_!  Someone is trying to kill
+His Highness--we must save him!"
+
+But Courtney clapped his hand over her mouth and silenced her.  Even in
+the press of the duel, I think, I smiled.
+
+"Your pardon, my dear Marquise," he said, loudly--so I would hear it, I
+knew--"His Highness needs no saving."
+
+Then I heard no more--for the Duke assumed the offensive fiercely and
+his sword began to move like lightning.  And well, indeed, was it, for
+me, that I had learned something of this gentle game of fence, else had
+that night been my last on Earth.
+
+Then, of a sudden, from out a sharp rally, came the first strokes of
+Moore's _coup_.  I had been expecting it.  I steadied myself to meet
+it, giving back just a trifle to lead Lotzen to think it was new to me.
+He pressed me hotly and, at length, the final position came--the way
+was open.
+
+"Take it!" he said, savagely--and sent the thrust that should have made
+good his promise to bury the whole blade in my heart.
+
+But his point never reached me--for, as his sword glided along mine,
+seemingly unopposed, I caught it exactly as Moore had shown me and
+wrenched with all the strength of my wrist and arm.
+
+There was a sharp grinding of steel; and then, like a thing alive, the
+Duke's sword left his hand, sped through the air and settled, thirty
+feet away, point downward in the turf, where it stuck, quivering and
+swaying like a reed in the wind.
+
+With a cry of sharp surprise, Lotzen sprang back and watched his sword
+as it circled and fell.  I moved a step toward him.  Then, he turned to
+me.
+
+"It seems, Monsieur le Coquin," he said softly, "that I was in error;
+and that it is the point of your sword and not the hilt I am to take.
+So be it."
+
+He draw himself up to attention, and raised his hand in salute.
+
+"I am waiting," he said calmly.
+
+Ferdinand of Lotzen was, doubtless, a bad lot.  Once that night he had
+given me to assassination; and, just now, he himself had deliberately
+tried to kill me.  He deserved no consideration; and, by every law of
+justification, could I, then and there, have driven my sword into his
+throat.  Maybe I wanted to do it, too.  We all are something of the
+savage at times.  And I think he fully expected to die.  He had told me
+frankly he purposed killing me, and he would not look for mercy,
+himself.  The dice had fallen against him.  He had lost.  And, like a
+true gambler, he was ready to pay stakes.  To give the fellow his due,
+he was brave; with the sort of bravery that meets death--when it
+must--with a smiling face and a steady eye.
+
+And, so, for a space, we stood.  He, erect and ready.  I, with hand on
+hip and point advanced.
+
+I heard the gasps of women--a sob or two--and then, the rustle of
+skirts, followed instantly by Courtney's soft command.
+
+"Stay, madame--the matter is for His Highness only to decide."
+
+Lotzen laughed lightly.
+
+"Strike, man," he said, "or the petticoats will steal me from you."
+
+I stepped back and shot my sword into its sheath.
+
+"Go," I ordered.  "I do not want your life.  Only, depart this house
+straightway, and take your bravoes with you.  They will have no other
+opportunity to-night.  And, mark you, sir, no further meeting with the
+Gypsy--now, nor hereafter."
+
+He bowed low.  "Monsieur is pleased to be generous," he sneered.
+
+But I gave him my back and, removing my mask, went over to my friends.
+
+The Marquise met me with a perfect gale of apologies.  But I laughed
+them aside, telling her it was I who stood in need of pardon for
+becoming involved in such a breach of hospitality.
+
+"Your Highness might have been killed," she insisted, woman-like.
+
+"But I wasn't," said I, "so, pray, think no more about it."
+
+Just then, Colonel Moore came up and, seeing us without our masks, he
+dropped his, also.  I watched Mademoiselle d'Essoldé's greeting to him.
+It was all even he could have wished.
+
+"I think it is about the supper hour," said Lady Vierle.  "Let us go
+in."
+
+I offered her my arm and, masking again, we led the way.
+
+"Will Your Highness tell me something?" she asked immediately.  "Did
+you know your antagonist?"
+
+"I didn't see his face," I evaded.
+
+She looked at me quickly.  "Would it be better for me not to know?"
+
+"Yes," said I, "I think it would."
+
+There was, really, no reason why I should shield Lotzen; yet, neither
+was there any reason to rattle a family skeleton in public, and raise a
+scandal, which would run the Kingdom over and be the gossip of every
+Court in Europe.
+
+Then I lifted my mask so she could see my face.
+
+"And, my dear Lady Vierle," I said earnestly, "if you would do me a
+great favor, you will promise to forget all about this unfortunate
+incident."
+
+She, too, raised her mask and looked me frankly in the eyes.
+
+"I promise," she said.
+
+And I am sure she will keep her word.
+
+I knew I could leave it to Courtney and Moore to insure the silence of
+Lady Helen and Mademoiselle d'Essoldé.
+
+We lingered at the table until far into the morning.  And, if Moore had
+any fault to find with his neighbor in blue, he was, indeed, a
+graceless grumbler.
+
+Lady Helen was on one side of me, and we recalled the ride we had
+together the morning shortly after the Birthday Ball, when we met the
+Princess at the Old Forge.
+
+"We never took that other ride we planned," I said--"the one to the Inn
+of the Twisted Pines."
+
+"You have never asked me," she said dryly.
+
+"Suppose we make it to-morrow at three," I suggested.
+
+"I ride with Mr. Courtney, then."
+
+"We will make a party of it," said I.  "The Princess returns this
+morning and we will add Mademoiselle d'Essoldé and Colonel Moore."
+
+"But, the chaperon!"
+
+"Hang the chaperon--the grooms can suffice for that.  Besides, we shall
+be back before dark."
+
+"It will be jolly," she said.  Then she gave me a shrewd smile.  "But,
+how different from the ride as we planned it."
+
+I looked at Courtney.
+
+"He wasn't in it; was he?" I smiled.
+
+She leaned a bit nearer.  "Nor would you have assumed, then, to make
+engagements for the Princess Royal of Valeria without consulting her,"
+she replied.
+
+I laughed.  And I did not deny her inference.
+
+When Moore saluted and turned to leave me that night, I stopped him.
+
+"Colonel," said I, "I trust you enjoyed the supper."
+
+"It was the most delightful I have ever--_heard_," he said.
+
+
+
+
+XXIII
+
+AT THE INN OF THE TWISTED PINES
+
+I lunched with the King and the Princess Dehra as arranged.  Frederick
+left before the coffee, and Dehra ordered it served in her library.
+When the footman had brought it she dismissed him.
+
+"Now," said she, "come and tell me all about yourself."
+
+I went over and sat on the arm of her chair.  She lit a cigarette and
+put it between my lips--then, lit one for herself.
+
+"Do you remember the first time you did that?" I asked.
+
+"Yes," said she, "it was the night you flirted so outrageously with me
+in front of Lotzen."
+
+"I don't care what you call it, since we are not flirting now," said I.
+
+She took my hand between hers and smiled up at me.
+
+"And, maybe, it was not all flirting, then," she said.
+
+There are certain occasions which justify certain actions.  I thought
+this was one.
+
+Then I said: "Tell me about Lotzen's visit with you in the North."
+
+"He was there a week."
+
+"More's the pity," said I.
+
+"For him--yes."
+
+"For him?" I echoed.
+
+She nodded.  "I feel very sorry for Ferdinand."  Then she blushed.  "I
+think he does love me, Armand."
+
+"I can't blame him for that," said I.  "He's a queer sort if he
+doesn't."
+
+"Foolish!" she laughed, giving me a little tap with her fan.  "And you
+see, dear, he might have had a chance if you had not come."
+
+I bent down until her hair brushed my face.
+
+"And he has none now, sweetheart?" I said softly.
+
+"You know that he has not."
+
+"And does he know it?"
+
+"Yes--he knows it--now.  I told him the day he left."
+
+I was beginning to understand Lotzen's sudden change of demeanor toward
+me.
+
+"What did you tell him, little woman?" I asked.
+
+She looked up with a bright smile.
+
+"See how I've spoiled you," she said.
+
+"Then, spoil me just a little more," I urged.
+
+"Well--I told him it was you," she whispered.
+
+The understanding was growing rapidly.
+
+"And what did he say to that?"
+
+"I know, Armand, you don't like him; and, there, you may do him an
+injustice.  He said only the kindest things about you--that you were
+able, courteous, brave--a true Dalberg; and that, if it could not be
+he, he was glad it was you."
+
+I smiled.  "That was clever of him," I commented.
+
+"And he, too, does not believe the Spencer woman's story."
+
+"His cleverness grows," I laughed.  "It only remains for him to
+renounce his right to the Crown."
+
+"He said it was for the King to choose which was the worthier, and
+that, if it fell to you, he would serve you faithfully and well."
+
+I put my hand on her head and softly stroked her hair.
+
+"And you believed him, dear?" I asked.
+
+She looked up quickly.
+
+"Yes--I believed him.  I wanted to believe him--Did he deceive me?"
+
+"Listen," said I.  "He reached Dornlitz two days ago.  Yesterday
+afternoon he insulted me repeatedly in my office at Headquarters.  Last
+night I attended the Vierle Masque.  While in the Garden I was struck
+in the back with a dagger."
+
+"Stabbed!" she exclaimed, and clutched my arm.
+
+"No, dear--not even scratched, thanks to Bernheim's steel vest I was
+wearing.  Half an hour later, our cousin of Lotzen, with Mrs. Spencer
+on his arm, met me, alone, in a retired part of the Garden, forced a
+duel, and did his level best to run me through, by a trick of fence he
+thought he, alone knew."
+
+"And, again, the vest saved you?"
+
+"No--I was fortunate enough to disarm him."
+
+"Glorious, dear, glorious!" she exclaimed.  And tears filled her eyes.
+
+And, as it was I that had caused them, it was but fair that I should
+take them away.
+
+Then she made me go over the whole story in detail.
+
+"Of course you will tell the King," said she.
+
+"Maybe," said I.  "I've not decided yet."
+
+She got up.  "There is just time for me to get into riding dress," she
+said.  "But, first; this is Thursday--if you do not tell His Majesty of
+Lotzen's perfidy by Saturday, I shall do it, myself."
+
+And I knew she would--so I made no protest.
+
+"Put on the green habit and the plumed hat, dear," I said, as I held
+back the door.
+
+I have always liked green--the dark rich green of the forest's
+depth--and, if there were anything more lovely than the Princess Dehra,
+when she came back to me, it is quite beyond my Imagination to conceive
+it.  He is a poor lover, indeed, who does not think his sweetheart
+fair; yet, he would have been a poor sort of man, who would not have
+been at one with me, that afternoon.
+
+And I told her so--but she called me "Foolish!" once again, and ran
+from me to the private exit of her suite, where our four companions
+were awaiting us.  But I had my reward; for she waved the groom aside
+and let me swing her into saddle and fix her skirt.
+
+How easy it is for a clever woman to manage a man--if she care to try.
+
+It was a beautiful afternoon--the road was soft and the track smooth.
+Much of it led through woodland and along a brawling stream.  The
+horses were of the sort that delight the soul--I doubt if there were
+six better saddlers in the whole Kingdom of Valeria.  I know there were
+no prettier women, and, I think, no happier men.
+
+We passed many people--mainly country-men--and they all knew the
+Princess and loved her--bless her!--if their greetings went for aught.
+Me, they eyed with frank curiosity; and, more than once, I caught the
+drift of their comments.
+
+"A pretty pair," said one, as Dehra and I drew near, our horses on a
+walk.
+
+"It's a pity he has a wife," the other answered.  And Dehra frowned.
+
+"They match up well," said a fellow, as we paused a moment at a spring
+beside a small road house.
+
+I glanced at Dehra; and got a smile in return.
+
+"That they do.  He does not look like a foreigner," was the answer.
+
+"He is Dalberg on the outside, anyway," said a third.
+
+"Then, he is Dalberg inside, too--it starts there, with them," said the
+first.
+
+And so it went, until we reached the Inn of the Twisted Pines.
+
+It was an old log and plaster building; of many gables and small
+windows; standing back a trifle from the road, with a high-walled yard
+on all four sides.  I had taken the precaution, that morning, to
+dispatch an orderly to apprise the landlord of our coming; and every
+human being about the place was drawn up within the enclosure to greet
+us.  Old Boniface met us at the gateway and held my stirrup as I
+dismounted.
+
+"My poor house has had no such honor," he said, "since the time the
+Great Henry stopped for breakfast on his return from the Titian War."
+
+"Well, my good man," said I, "you doubtless don't recollect the Great
+Henry's visit, but, if your supper is what we hope for, I promise you
+we will honor it as highly as he did that breakfast."
+
+"Your Highness shall be served this instant."
+
+"Give us half an hour and a place to get rid of this dust," said I.
+
+I fancy the Inn had been changed but little since old Henry's day; and
+the big room, where our table was spread, certainly not at all.  The
+oak floor was bare and worn into ruts and ridges--the great beam
+rafters overhead were chocolate color from smoke and age--the huge
+fireplace and the wall above it were black as a half-burnt back log.
+But the food!  My mouth waters now at the thought of it.  No crazy
+French concoctions of frothy indigestibleness; but good, sweet
+cooking--the supper one gets among the old families of Maryland or
+Virginia.  It took me back more than a score of years to my young days
+on the dear old Eastern Shore.
+
+And, in the midst of it, came the jolly Boniface, bearing, as carefully
+as a mother does her first-born, three long bottles, cobwebbed and
+dirty.  Eighty years had they been lying in the wine-bin of the Inn,
+guarding their treasure of Imperial Tokay.  Now, their ward was
+ended--and the supper was complete; though, in truth, it had been
+complete before.
+
+And, when we had eaten the supper and had drunk most of the Tokay, we
+freshened up the glasses with what remained.  Then, arising, I gave the
+toast which all could drink:
+
+"To the one we love the best!"
+
+But, even as we drained it, there came through the open window the
+clatter of horse's hoofs and, as the glasses smashed to bits among the
+chimney stones, the door swung open and my senior Aide entered, hot and
+dusty.
+
+He caught my eye, halted sharply, and his hand went up in salute.
+
+"Welcome, Colonel Bernheim," I said.
+
+Again he saluted; then drew out an envelope and handed it to me.
+
+"Important papers for Your Highness," he said.  "They were received at
+Headquarters after your departure and, as they required action
+to-night, I thought it best to follow you."
+
+With a word of apology, I walked over to the nearest window and slowly
+read the letters.  There were two and they were very brief.  Then I
+read them again--and yet again.
+
+Those at the table had, of course, resumed their talk, but Bernheim
+still stood at attention.  I motioned him to me.
+
+"These are copies," I said.
+
+"I made them, sir, from the originals--while they were en route," he
+added with a dry smile.
+
+"And the originals?"
+
+"Each was delivered promptly."
+
+"You have no doubt of their genuineness?" I asked.
+
+"Absolutely none--though, of course, I know only the handwriting of the
+answer."
+
+"Well done," said I; "well done!"  Then I read the two papers again.
+
+"Do you think he means it?" I asked, tapping the smaller paper.
+
+"After last night, undoubtedly.  And you must be there, sir--you and a
+witness," said Bernheim.
+
+I thought a bit--then I took out my watch.  It was just six o'clock.
+
+"There is ample time," said I; "and it's worth the try.  Can it be
+arranged, do you think?"
+
+Bernheim's face brightened.  "It can, sir.  If it's the room I think it
+is, there will be no difficulty; and we can depend on the manager--he
+has been well trained by the Secret Police.  You will come?"
+
+"Yes, I'll come; but they come, too," and I nodded toward the table.
+
+"Better bring only Courtney, sir," he urged.
+
+"No," said I; "several witnesses will be needed.  And, besides, I want
+them out of satisfaction to myself."
+
+"It may wreck the whole business," he persisted.
+
+"I'll risk it," said I.
+
+Bernheim was wise.  He always seemed to know when to quit.
+
+"Very good, sir," he said.  "How soon do we start?"
+
+I put my hand on his shoulder.
+
+"You are a perfect treasure, Bernheim," I said.  "Come, we will start
+at once.  Is your horse good for a fast ride back?"
+
+"Entirely, sir."
+
+"Then you can give me the story on the way," I said.  "Meanwhile, get
+some refreshment."
+
+I went back to the table--and it was amusing how suddenly the
+conversation ceased and everyone looked at me.  I smiled reassuringly
+at Dehra, for there was concern in her eyes.
+
+"Four of you," said I--"you, Princess; and you, Lady Helen; and you,
+Courtney; and you, Moore, were present at--and you, Mademoiselle
+d'Essoldé, have heard of--a certain supper party on the Hanging Garden,
+some weeks back, whereat a certain woman proclaimed herself my wife.
+That was the first act in a play which has been progressing ever since.
+The plot has thickened lately--as witness the duel at the Masque, last
+night.  And now, unless I greatly err, the last act is set for this
+evening.  If you care to see it I shall be glad for your
+company."--Then I laughed.  "A long speech," said I; "but it sounded
+well."
+
+"And promises best of all," said Courtney.
+
+Then I ordered the horses; and, while we waited, I gave the letters to
+Courtney.
+
+"Read them," I said.  "The originals passed through Bernheim's hands
+this afternoon--'while en route,' as he puts it."
+
+He read them carefully.
+
+"You contemplate giving them an audience?" he asked.
+
+"Exactly that," said I.
+
+"Is it feasible?"
+
+"Bernheim says it is."
+
+He looked at me thoughtfully, a moment.  "It would be a great stroke to
+have the King there," he said.
+
+"I'll make a try for him," I answered; "but the time is very short."
+
+It was ten miles to Dornlitz, and we did it in an hour.  On the way, I
+explained the whole situation to the Princess and read her the letters.
+She was amazed--and her indignation was intense.  Nor did she hesitate
+to express it freely before Bernheim.  And I saw his stern face break
+into a glad smile.  It told him much.
+
+At the Palace we drew rein.
+
+"Be at the Hotel Metzen at eight forty-five," said I.  "Come by the
+Court entrance--you will be expected."
+
+Then they rode away, and I hastened to the King.
+
+As good luck would have it, Frederick was in his cabinet and received
+me instantly.  He read the letters and looked at me inquiringly.
+
+"It means a plain talk between them," I explained; "and I propose to
+hear it.  I am, sure it would interest Your Majesty--much happened
+yesterday."  And I told him of the Vierle Masque.
+
+Frederick frowned a bit--thought longer--then smiled.
+
+"I don't much fancy eaves-dropping; but, sometimes, the end justifies
+the means," he said.  "I'll join you."
+
+"There will be other witnesses, Sire," I said--and named them.
+
+"I don't like it," he said.
+
+"I can stop them," I suggested.
+
+He considered.  "No," said he, "I understand why you want them.  I'll
+come--they will be discreet.  And the Princess would wish it so.  I'll
+bring her, myself."
+
+Then I rode to the Metzen.  Bernheim had preceded me and, with the
+manager of the Hotel, awaited me at a side door.  The corridor was
+dimly lighted but I drew my cape well over my face and, is a moment, we
+were in a small reception room.
+
+"Monsieur Gerst," said I to the manager, "I need your assistance."
+
+Gerst bowed very low.
+
+"Your Royal Highness has but to command," he said.
+
+I was quite sure of that, however.  An Archduke of Valeria would have
+been quite enough, but the Governor of Dornlitz was beyond refusal.  I
+could have closed his Hotel by a word, and there would have been no
+appeal.
+
+"Thank you, monsieur," I said.  "You have as a guest, a certain Madame
+Armand Dalberg."
+
+"A guest by Your Highness's express permission, you will remember," he
+said.
+
+"Very true," said I.  "Now, this Madame Dalberg expects a visitor
+to-night at nine o'clock."
+
+He gave me a quick glance.
+
+"You know him?" I asked.
+
+"No, Your Highness.  I only know madame gave orders to admit no one
+to-night except a gentleman who would come at nine."
+
+I nodded.  "It's the same," said I.  "And what I want, is to hear all
+that occurs between Madame Dalberg and this visitor."
+
+Gerst smiled.  "That will be easily arranged, Your Highness--the place
+is already provided."
+
+"The concealed Gallery?" asked Bernheim, quickly?
+
+"Yes, Colonel."  Then, to me, he explained: "Madame's reception room
+was once a part of a small, state dining-room.  Back of the end wall
+runs a gallery where guests sat to listen to the speeches.  It is
+there, now--and the tapestries, with which the walls are hung,
+completely hide it."
+
+"It can be reached from the floor above?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, Your Highness; a narrow stairway admits to it."
+
+"Can we enter without being overheard by those in the room below?"
+
+"Very readily, sir; the gallery was so designed that its noises would
+not disturb those in the dining-room."
+
+"We are in good luck, Bernheim," I said.
+
+"We shall need all of it, sir, with eight spectators."
+
+And he was right.  It was foolish to risk success for only a
+sentimental reason.  I knew, perfectly well, the proper course was for
+no one but the King and myself to be in the gallery; yet, there entered
+my Dalberg stubbornness.  I purposed that some of those, who had seen
+me accused that night on the Hanging Garden, should see me exculpated
+to-night.
+
+It may be, that some will question the propriety of my action, and the
+good taste of those who were my guests.  As to the latter, it must be
+borne in mind that my invitation was in the nature of a command, which
+it would have been vastly discourteous to decline.  And, besides, they
+were my friends.  As for myself, I have no excuses to offer--and,
+methinks, I need none.  The situation had long passed the refinement of
+ethics.  It was war; and war not of my declaring.  Neither was I
+responsible for the style of the campaign.  Madeline Spencer deserved
+no consideration from me--and no more did her visitor.
+
+
+
+
+XXIV
+
+THE END OF THE PLAY
+
+I had, yet, an hour to spare, so Bernheim and I returned to the Epsau.
+I donned the evening uniform of the Red Huzzars, with the broad Ribbon
+of the Lion across my breast and the Cincinnati around my neck.  I was
+minded to be the Dalberg Archduke to-night.
+
+Then, having dispatched Bernheim to the Palace to escort the King and
+the Princess, I drove to the Metzen, where Gerst piloted me, by private
+corridors, to the apartments reserved for me, and which adjoined the
+Gallery.
+
+The King and the Princess were the last to arrive.  As I greeted them,
+Dehra detained me.
+
+"Shall we be able to see as well as hear?" she asked.
+
+"Yes," said I, "if you wish."
+
+"I do wish," she said.  "I'm savage to-night."
+
+I laughed.  "It's very becoming, dear."
+
+Then the great bell of the Cathedral began to chime the hour; and, with
+a word of caution, I led the way to the Gallery.
+
+The floor was covered with a thick carpet and eight small chairs were
+placed close to the railing.  The tapestry was very old and thin and,
+by putting one's face close to it, the room below was rather dimly, yet
+quite sufficiently, visible.  Its dimensions were unusually
+ample--possibly forty feet by sixty--and its furnishings most gorgeous.
+The chandelier and side-lights were burning, and a huge vase lamp, pink
+shaded, was on the large table in the centre.  At the moment, the room
+was untenanted.
+
+In a little while a door opposite the Gallery opened and Madeline
+Spencer entered.
+
+A woman usually knows her good points physically and how to bring them
+out.  And Mrs. Spencer was an adept in the art--though, in truth,
+little art was needed.  To her, Nature had been over generous.
+
+She affected black; and that was her gown, now--cut daringly low and
+without a jot of color about it, save the dead white of her arms and
+shoulders, and a huge bunch of violets at her waist.
+
+I thought I could guess whence the flowers came.  And, though I
+despised her, yet, I could but admit her dazzling beauty.
+
+She moved slowly about the room, touching an ornament here, a picture
+there.  At length, she came to the table and, dropping languidly into a
+chair, rested her elbow on the arm and, with chin in hand, stared into
+vacancy.
+
+Presently, there was a sharp knock at the corridor door.  She glanced
+quickly at the clock--then, picked up a book and, sinking back in easy
+posture, assumed to read.
+
+"Entréz," she called, without looking up.
+
+The door opened instantly and a man entered.  A long military cloak was
+over his plain evening dress; one fold was raised to hide his face.  He
+dropped it as he closed the door.
+
+Mrs. Spencer lowered her book--then arose with all the sinuous grace
+she knew so well how to assume.
+
+"Welcome, Your Royal Highness," she said, and curtsied very low.  "It
+was good of you to come."
+
+The Duke of Lotzen tossed off his cloak--and, coming quickly over, took
+her hand and kissed it.
+
+"It was more than good of you to let me come," he answered.
+
+"I feared you might not get my note," she said.  "I believe I am under
+constant surveillance."
+
+He smiled.  "Even the Secret Police would hesitate to tamper with my
+mail," he said.
+
+"That was my hope," she answered.
+
+He looked at her steadily, a moment.
+
+"I am always ready to be a--hope to you," he said.
+
+She dropped her eyes--then picked up a cigarette case from the table.
+
+"Will Your Royal Highness smoke?" she asked.
+
+"If you will light it for me."
+
+(The Princess pressed my hand.  I understood.)
+
+Mrs. Spencer touched the cigarette to the tiny alcohol name; then
+offered it to the Duke.
+
+"Someone has spoiled you," she said lightly.
+
+Lotzen took her hand and, with it, put the cigarette between his lips.
+
+"Unfortunately, no," he answered.  "But I once saw a pretty woman do
+that for another man."
+
+(Again Dehra pressed my fingers.)
+
+"And did he hold her hand afterward?" she asked--freeing her own from
+the Duke's.
+
+"They were not alone," he said--and tried to take it again.
+
+But she put both hands behind her.
+
+"Come, Your Highness, this is not the Masque," she said.  But there was
+no reproof in her tones.
+
+"Tell me," said he; "how did you know me, last night?"
+
+"What matters it?  Particularly, since it was only because you knew me
+that you spoke."
+
+"You think I was searching for you?" he asked.
+
+She blew a cloud of smoke under the lamp shade and watched it float out
+at the top.
+
+"Were you?" she asked.
+
+"If I said yes, would it please you?"
+
+"Not unless I thought it true, monsieur--and, also, knew the reason."
+
+He looked at her steadily a moment.
+
+"What better reason could I have than that you are the most beautiful
+woman in Valeria?"
+
+She put her fan before her face.
+
+"Your Highness's compliment is very delicate," she laughed.
+
+"It wasn't meant for a compliment," he answered.  "If you have looked
+in your mirror, to-night, you know I speak the simple truth."
+
+She got up and went over to a great glass, on the opposite wall.
+Lotzen followed her, and they stood there, a bit, looking in it.
+
+"You like me in black?" she asked, smiling at him in the mirror.
+
+"I like you in anything," he answered--and made as though to put his
+arm around her waist.
+
+She swung quickly away from him--just out of reach.
+
+"Even in a gypsy dress?" she asked.
+
+"It was charming--but, I think I prefer this," and he nodded toward her
+gleaming shoulders.
+
+She made a gesture of dissent, and they went back to the table.  Lotzen
+drew a small chair close and sat staring at her.  She studied her fan
+and waited.
+
+Then he hooked his hands about his knee and leaned back.
+
+"Do you know," he said, "it's a crying shame you are married to my dear
+cousin."
+
+She looked him full in the face--and smiled.
+
+"Why didn't you make me a widow, then, last night, when you had the
+chance?"
+
+Lotzen shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"The chance was all right, but the end was bad--though you didn't stay
+to see it."
+
+She laughed.  "Didn't I?  I stayed long enough to see your sword
+sticking in the turf.  I took that to be the end--was there more of it,
+later?"
+
+"No; that was the end--for that time."
+
+"And for that particular method, I fancy," said she.  "He wields a
+pretty blade."
+
+"Had you known it?" he asked.
+
+"He was the best swordsman in the American Army," she answered.
+
+"Ordinarily, that does not mean much," said Lotzen.  "But, as a matter
+of fact, so far as I know, he has got only one superior in Europe."
+
+"Then why not get that chap to fight him?"
+
+The Duke laughed.
+
+"I would be very willing to; only, the chap happens to be that infernal
+Irish adventurer, Moore, who is on his Staff."
+
+"Why don't you try it again, yourself?" she asked.
+
+He tapped his cigarette carefully against the ash receiver.
+
+"Because I'm not yet tired of life," he said.  "I know when I have met
+my master."
+
+"But, one of your thrusts might go home," she insisted.
+
+He looked at her with an amused smile.
+
+"Yes--it might," he said.  "But, you see, my dear girl, what troubles
+me are the many thrusts he has, any one of which would be sure to go
+home in me."
+
+"You seem to have escaped, last night," she observed.
+
+"Purely by his favor--even luck hadn't a finger in it."
+
+"But discretion had," she remarked.  "He would not dare kill you."
+
+Lotzen shook his head.
+
+"You don't seem to know this husband of yours.  A Dalberg will dare
+anything."
+
+"Some Dalbergs," she scoffed.
+
+The Duke flushed.
+
+"I'm doing badly--you think me a coward," he said.
+
+"Oh, no, Prince--only carefully discreet;" and she leaned back and
+slowly fanned herself.
+
+He looked at her for a bit.
+
+"Are you aware, my dear, that you are conniving at--some might call it
+instigating--the death of your husband?" he asked.
+
+She smiled.  "Am I?"
+
+"It is a very extraordinary situation," he said, blowing a ring of
+smoke and watching it circle away.  "You are so tired of him you want
+him killed; he seems equally tired of you, and, moreover, he is
+determined to marry another woman.  Yet, neither of you gets a
+divorce--and you actually follow him here--and he, then, actually
+refuses to let you depart."
+
+The fan kept moving slowly.
+
+"A very extraordinary situation, indeed, Your Highness,--as you state
+it," she said.
+
+"As I state it?" he echoed.
+
+She nodded.  "You have omitted the one material fact in the case."
+
+"And what is that?" he asked.
+
+The fan stopped, and she laughed lightly.
+
+"Simply this: I am not Armand Dalberg's wife."
+
+(Dehra reached over and took my hand.  The King looked at us both and
+nodded; then clapped me on the knee.)
+
+For a space, Lotzen stared at Mrs. Spencer--and she smiled sweetly back
+at him.
+
+"Not his wife!" he ejaculated, presently.
+
+Her smile became a laugh.
+
+"No, monsieur; not his wife."
+
+This time, Lotzen's stare was even longer.  Then, suddenly, he laughed.
+
+"I thought, for a moment, you actually meant it," he said.
+
+She put both elbows on the table and leaned forward.
+
+"Come, monsieur, let us be frank with each other," she said.  "Not only
+am I not Armand Dalberg's wife, but you have always known it."
+
+He frowned.  "My dear girl," he said, "I've been sorrowfully accepting
+your own word that you are his wife; how should I know that you've
+been----" he hesitated.
+
+She finished it for him--
+
+"Lying, Duke, lying," she laughed.
+
+He held up his hands, protestingly.
+
+"Not at all, my dear; teasing is the word I wanted."
+
+She lay back in the chair and laughed softly to herself.
+
+"Do you fancy the Grand Duke Armand would call it teasing?" she asked.
+
+He joined in the laugh.
+
+"The victim never sees the joke," he said.
+
+She sat up sharply.
+
+"So, then, it was intended only as a joke?" she exclaimed.  "I thought
+it had another object."
+
+He frowned again.
+
+"I don't quite follow you," he said.
+
+She looked at him with a queer smile.
+
+"My being brought to Valeria to pose as his wife," she explained.
+
+"You don't mean you came here from America expressly for that purpose?"
+he asked.
+
+Her smile grew broader.
+
+"Really, Duke, you are most delicious," she said.  "Armand Dalberg told
+me, the other day, that I played my part beautifully--he should see
+you.  You are a _premier artiste_."
+
+"Madame flatters me," Lotzen answered with soft irony; then tried for
+her hand--and failed.
+
+"Well, you may take it so," said she; "but, believe me, your cousin
+didn't mean it so, to me."
+
+He moved over and sat on the edge of the table near her.
+
+She leaned far back and put her hands behind her.
+
+"Come, my dear, don't be so mysterious," he said.
+
+"Let us be frank, as you suggest.  You say you are not Armand's
+wife--that, I am only too glad to believe; I am delighted.  You say I
+have always known it--that, of course, is a mistake.  You say I am
+playing a part, now--that, I don't understand."
+
+"_Premier artiste_, surely," she laughed.  Then, suddenly, grew sober.
+"By all means, let us have a frank talk," she said.  "It was for that I
+asked you here to-night--But, first, light me a cigarette, and then go
+and sit down in that chair."
+
+"Buy me with a smile," he said.
+
+She bought him--then he did her bidding.
+
+"I was silly enough to hope it was only I that you wanted to see," he
+said.
+
+"My note gave no ground for such hopes, Your Highness," she said.  "I
+told you exactly what I wanted--to discuss a matter of immediate
+importance."
+
+"Oh, yes, I know--but then I was still thinking of the Masque."
+
+She looked at him naïvely.  "Surely, Duke, you are old enough to know
+that, of all follies, a Masque is chiefest and dies with the break of
+day."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "I am learning it, now, at any rate."
+
+"And, don't forget, it was you who ended the pleasant promenade, to
+pick a quarrel with the--Masque in Black."
+
+"But with full purpose to resume it in a moment."
+
+"After you had killed him?  Very likely!  Your sole thought would have
+been to get away."
+
+"And to take you with me," he added.
+
+She laughed.  "Nonsense, Duke; besides, I would not have gone."
+
+"And the promenade?" he asked.
+
+"With the Black Masque dead the promenade would have been no longer
+necessary."
+
+"Oh," said he: "I'm beginning to understand.  You met me last night for
+a particular purpose; and that, being frustrated by the duel, is the
+reason for the appointment here this evening."
+
+She was leaning idly back, and the fan had resumed its languid motions.
+
+"Your Highness has stated it with charming exactness," she said.
+
+His face grew stern; and I saw the hand, that hung beside his chair,
+clench sharply.  Mrs. Spencer saw it, too.
+
+"Don't be angry, Duke," she laughed.  "Be grateful for the privilege it
+gives you of being here to-night."
+
+Lotzen got up sharply and took a step toward the door.
+
+"Going, Your Highness?" asked that softly-caressing voice.
+
+He swung around.  "No, I'm not going," he said--and sat down.  "A man
+would be a fool to leave you just because you treated him heartlessly."
+
+This time, she lit the cigarette, voluntarily, and, leaning over, put
+it between his lips.
+
+"Is that the way you saw it done?" she asked.
+
+He seized her hand and held it for a moment; but, when he bent over it,
+she whisked it quickly away.
+
+"Now, for the frank talk," she laughed.
+
+"By all means," he said--and settled back to listen.
+
+She toyed with her cigarette; blowing the smoke at the shade and
+watching it rush out at the top.  It seemed to be a favorite trick of
+hers.
+
+"Of course, Your Highness is aware that, by order of the Governor of
+Dornlitz, I am kept a prisoner within the walls of the inner city."
+
+Lotzen bowed.  "So, I have been informed."
+
+"I have tried every possible means to escape: disguise, bribes,
+flattery--and all of no avail.  My every motion is watched.  I am
+dogged by half the Secret Police of the Capital.  I'm not even sure of
+the fidelity of my own maid."
+
+"You poor child," said Lotzen.
+
+"I am sick of this sort of life.  It's worse than a prison cell.  And
+it's got to end--and that, promptly.  I sought you, last night, at the
+Masque to tell you that you must get me away and out of this miserable
+Country.  I have completed my bargain; it is now for you to complete
+yours."
+
+The Duke's face took on a look of perplexity.
+
+"My dear girl," he said, "I haven't the remotest notion what you mean
+by your bargain and mine; but, I'm very ready to aid you to escape.
+The difficulty is, I have absolutely no power over a single soldier or
+official in Dornlitz.  The Governor's orders are absolute--none but the
+King can reverse them.  And, alas! at this moment, I have very little
+influence with His Majesty."
+
+"Then, you decline to aid me?" she asked, very quietly--the smoke was
+again going through the lamp shade.
+
+"On the contrary, I am ready to do anything I can; but, I fear, I'm
+powerless.  Indeed, if you're under the close surveillance you
+indicate, it would be about impossible.  And I know whereof I speak.
+You would be no more immune in my carriage than in a public cab.  Even
+if I were beside you, you could not pass the gates.  It might, however,
+be effected in some way I cannot scheme, on the instant.  I will
+investigate and, if I can devise any method, I shall do my utmost to
+release you."
+
+She straightened up--and the fan quit its beating.
+
+"That sounds well--and may mean well; but, it's short of the mark,"
+said she.  "I am determined not to remain in this town another day.
+You must get me away before to-morrow night."
+
+"Impossible!" Lotzen exclaimed.  "You know not what you ask."
+
+She looked at him coldly.
+
+"Very good, Your Highness," she said.  "I have given you your chance.
+I have played fair with you.  Now, we are quits."
+
+"And you don't want my aid?" he asked.
+
+"Not unless it's given before noon to-morrow."
+
+He raised his hands.
+
+"There are only two people in the world who could get you out of
+Dornlitz by noon to-morrow--the King and the Governor."
+
+"Exactly," said she.  "And, to one of them, I shall go in the morning."
+
+"Better try Frederick," Lotzen laughed.  "He has a weak side for a
+pretty woman."
+
+(I did not look at the King--but I heard him sniff angrily.)
+
+"No--I shall try the Governor," she returned.  "He told me, one day, in
+his office, that, when I acknowledged that I was not his wife and that
+the marriage certificate was false, I would be permitted to leave the
+Kingdom."  She paused, a moment.  "Does Your Highness wish me to go to
+the Governor?"
+
+I thought the Duke would weaken--but, as usual, I got a surprise.
+
+"My dear girl," said he, "I shall be heartbroken if you leave
+Valeria--but, if that is all you need to do to be free to go--and you
+are not, in fact, Armand Dalberg's wife--then I am surprised that you
+have not done it long ago."
+
+She smiled, rather sadly.
+
+"Yes, I fancy you are.  I'm rather surprised myself.  It would sound
+queer, to some people in America, but I have actually tried, for once
+in my life, to keep faith to the end.  But it is as I always
+thought--not worth the while.  I'll know better again."
+
+Then, she got up and, going behind her chair, leaned over the back.
+
+"Does Your Highness realize what my going to the Governor means to
+you?" she asked.
+
+"I don't seem to be able to follow your argument," he said; "and I'm a
+poor guesser of riddles."
+
+"It means that I shall have to tell the whole ugly story of how I
+chanced to come to Dornlitz to pose as the wife of the Grand Duke
+Armand."
+
+He took a fresh cigarette and carefully lit it.  "But, my dear girl,"
+he said, "I don't see how that would affect me?"
+
+She laughed.
+
+"Still the _premier artiste_!  Well, play it out.  If you want to hear
+what you already know it's no trouble to tell you.  Shall I begin at
+the very beginning?"
+
+"By all means!" said he.  "Maybe, then, I can catch the point."
+
+"Listen," said she.  "For many years I have known Armand Dalberg.  One
+day, several months ago, there came a man to me, in the City of New
+York.  How he happened to find me is no matter.  He spoke English
+perfectly--though I thought he was a Frenchman.  The name on his card
+was Herbert Wilkes; but, I knew that was assumed, and I have learned,
+lately, who he is.  Since you, too, know, it is quite unnecessary to
+repeat it.  His offer to me was this: If I would go immediately to
+Dornlitz and publicly claim the American, Armand Dalberg--who had just
+been restored to his rightful place as a Grand Duke of Valeria--as my
+husband, I was to receive an enormous sum of money (the amount Your
+Highness also knows) and all expenses.  I accepted instantly, mainly
+for the money; but, also, to satisfy a personal grudge I had against
+Major Dalberg.  I made the one condition, however, that a marriage
+certificate must be procured--the date for which I gave; choosing one
+on which I happened to know Major Dalberg was in New York.  And it was
+done.  How, I neither knew nor cared.  One-half the money was given me
+in advance--the balance to be paid the day I executed my mission.  I
+received it the morning following that scene at the Grand Duke's supper
+party at the Hanging Garden.  And, God knows, I earned every cent of
+it!  I was guaranteed protection while in Valeria, and to be at liberty
+to depart one week after I had made the public assertion of the
+marriage and had exhibited the certificate."
+
+She paused.
+
+"Now, perchance, Your Highness understands the matter," she added, and
+smiled sweetly.
+
+He flecked the ash from his cigarette and shook his head.
+
+"I understand no more than I did at first, how this plot against the
+Grand Duke Armand affects me," he said.
+
+"Of course, it may not occur to Your Highness--but it doubtless would
+to the King--who, of all living creatures, would be most benefited and
+who most injured by my marriage story.  However, if you are not my
+employer, then, it will not hurt you.  And, as I cannot imagine who
+else it could be, I shall simply fling the whole business overboard; go
+to the Governor to-morrow; tell the truth; endorse on the marriage
+certificate the fact of its falseness; give it to him--and take the
+first train for Paris--And, I fancy, I shall read the betrothal notice
+of the Princess Royal of Valeria and the Grand Duke Armand before I've
+been there a week."
+
+Lotzen got up and went over to her.
+
+"Do you know you are a very clever woman?" he said.
+
+She looked archly up at him.
+
+"You will enable me to escape?" she asked.
+
+He took her hand--and, this time, it was not withdrawn.
+
+"I will do my best," he said; "but, it's a fierce risk for me.  If
+detected, it would mean, at the very least, a year's banishment."
+
+She smiled.
+
+"It would mean something more than that if I told my story," she said.
+
+"I'm doing it for you; not from fear of the story," he said softly.
+
+"It's nicer, that way, isn't it?" she asked.
+
+He put his arm around her--and she let him kiss her, once.  Then, she
+drew away.
+
+"Sit down and let us talk it over," she said.
+
+The King got up suddenly.
+
+"Come along, Armand," he said, and hurried from the Gallery.
+
+I followed him, without a word--for none was needed.  The end of
+Lotzen's game was very near, indeed.
+
+In the lower corridor, we met a servant.
+
+"Show us to the apartments of Madame Dalberg," Frederick ordered.
+
+A dozen steps brought us to a large double door.
+
+"This is the entrance, Your Majesty," said the man.
+
+The King rapped sharply.  There was no prompt answer and he rapped
+again.
+
+In a moment, the door was opened by Mrs. Spencer's maid.
+
+"Madame is not at home," she said mechanically.
+
+Without a word Frederick brushed her aside and stepped quickly in--and
+I after him.
+
+Mrs. Spencer sat facing the door and saw us enter.  It is inconceivable
+that she should not have been surprised, and, yet, she betrayed
+absolutely no sign of it.  Indeed, one would have thought we were
+expected guests.  Truly, she was a very wonderful woman.
+
+She said something, very low, to the Duke; then, came forward and
+curtsied to the King.
+
+"Your Majesty honors me overmuch," she said.  And then to me--"Does
+this really mean that Your Royal Highness has at last decided to
+acknowledge me?"
+
+Meanwhile, Lotzen had arisen and was standing stiffly at attention, his
+eyes on the King.  I thought his face was a trifle pale--and I did not
+wonder.
+
+Frederick laughed, curtly, and motioned for her to rise.
+
+"The play is over, Mrs. Spencer," he said.  "We will have no more
+acting, if you please."
+
+She straightened, instantly.
+
+"Your Majesty is pleased to be discourteous--but it seems to be a
+Dalberg characteristic," she sneered.  Then she broke out angrily:
+"And, as neither you nor that renegade there,"--indicating me with a
+nod and a look,--"was invited here, I take it I am quite justified in
+requesting you both to depart.  You may be a King, but that gives you
+no privilege to force your way into a woman's apartments and insult
+her.  You are a brave gentleman, surely, and a worthy monarch.  I
+suppose you brought your pet to protect you lest I offer you violence.
+Well, I'll give him the chance."
+
+Even as she said it, like a flash, she seized a heavy glass vase from
+the table and hurled it straight at the King.
+
+It was not a woman's throw.  Madeline Spencer had learned the man's
+swing, in her Army days, and, had the vase struck home, the chances are
+there would have been a new King in Dornlitz, that night.
+
+And such was Lotzen's thought, for he smiled wickedly and glanced at me.
+
+But, quick though she was, the King was quicker.  He jerked his head
+aside.  The vase missed him by the fraction of an inch and crashed to
+bits against the opposite wall.
+
+Frederick turned and looked at the fragments, and at the cut in the
+hangings.
+
+"Madame is rather muscular," he observed, dryly.
+
+"And Your Majesty is a clever dodger," she said, with sneering
+indifference--then leaned back against the table, a hand on either side
+of her.
+
+"Is it possible you are not going?" she asked.
+
+The King smiled.  "Presently, my dear madame, presently.  Meanwhile, I
+pray you, have consideration for the ornaments and the wall."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"As I cannot expect the servants to forcibly eject their King, and as
+the Duke of Lotzen dare not, I presume I'll have to submit to your
+impertinent intrusion.  Pray, let me know your business here--I assume
+it is business--and get it ended quickly.  I will expedite it all I
+may.  Anything, to be rid of you and that popinjay in red beside you."
+
+"Your husband, madame," the King observed.
+
+"Aye, my husband, for a time," she answered.
+
+"Aye, Mrs. Spencer, your husband for a time--for a purpose--and for a
+consideration."
+
+She opened her eyes wide.
+
+"Indeed!" she laughed.  "I thought the acting was over, Sire."
+
+Frederick's manner changed.
+
+"It is," he said sharply.  "We will come to the point.  Have you ink
+and pen?"
+
+"Is that what you came for?" she sneered.  "Have you none at the
+Palace?"
+
+"Quite enough to sign an order within an hour for your incarceration if
+you continue obdurate," he answered.
+
+"A kingly threat, truly," she mocked.  "And, what if I be not obdurate?"
+
+"Then it will be an order permitting you to leave Valeria at once."
+
+"Now, Your Majesty interests me," she said.  "I have been waiting for
+that a month and more.  What is the price for this order?"
+
+"Simply the truth, madame," said the King.
+
+"Sometimes, the truth is the highest price one can pay," she answered.
+
+"It will be very easy here," he said.  "You have a paper purporting to
+be a certificate of marriage between you and Armand Dalberg."
+
+She inclined her head.
+
+"On it you will endorse that it is a false certificate; that you are
+not and never were his wife; that it was procured for you, in New York,
+long subsequent to its apparent date; and that you were paid an
+enormous sum of money--fill in the actual amount, please--to go
+immediately to Dornlitz, exhibit the certificate, there, and publicly
+claim the Grand Duke Armand as your husband.  That, madame, is all."
+
+I was observing Lotzen; and, even now, his nerve never failed him.  He
+watched the King, intently, as he spoke.  At the end, his face took on
+a smile of cynical indifference--and, dropping from the respectful
+position in which he had been standing, he turned and sat on the table,
+one leg swinging carelessly over the corner.
+
+Mrs. Spencer shot a quick glance at him--but he gave no answer back.
+
+"Your Majesty has omitted one little matter," she said.  "By whom shall
+I say the money was paid?"
+
+"Thank you--so I had.  Make it--by persons to you unknown."
+
+Mrs. Spencer smiled frankly.
+
+"Your Majesty was quite right," she said.  "The play is over."
+
+She touched a bell--the maid entered.
+
+"My jewel case," she said.
+
+The King crossed to a writing desk and, taking pen and ink, placed them
+on the table.  Then the maid brought the casket.
+
+From the bottom tray, Mrs. Spencer took a paper and handed it to the
+King, who, after a glance, returned it.
+
+"If your Majesty will dictate, I will write," she said.
+
+Slowly, Frederick repeated the confession--and the pen scratched out
+line after line on the white page.  When it was ended, she passed it
+back again to the King, and he read it carefully.
+
+"Sign it, please," he said.
+
+She looked up, with an amused smile.
+
+"With what name?" she asked.
+
+"Your lawful one," said Frederick.
+
+"Madeline Spencer," she answered--and dashed it off.
+
+Then, for the first time since we entered the room, the King looked at
+Lotzen.  Hitherto, he had ignored him, utterly.
+
+"Witness it," he said sternly.
+
+I smiled--and so did Madeline Spencer.  It was the refinement of
+retribution.
+
+Without a word or a change of feature, Lotzen obeyed.  Then Frederick,
+himself, signed it; and, folding it carefully, gave it to me.
+
+"Will Your Majesty graciously pardon the violence I offered you?" Mrs.
+Spencer said.
+
+Frederick nodded.
+
+"Readily, madame," he said.  "In a way, you were justified--and, then,
+you missed me.  Had you hit me, my pardon might not have been required."
+
+"And will you not tell me how you discovered the truth?" she asked.
+
+"I chanced to learn of this meeting with His Royal Highness, the Duke
+of Lotzen, and was a witness of all that occurred here between you."
+
+"You cannot mean that you overheard our conversation!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Every word," said the King.
+
+"But where--and how?"
+
+The Duke glanced up toward the Gallery--and a bitter smile crossed his
+face.
+
+"His Grace of Lotzen has guessed it," said Frederick.
+
+She turned to the Duke interrogatingly.
+
+"The gallery--behind the arras, yonder," he said.
+
+"Exactly," said the King.
+
+"And you forgot the Gallery?" Mrs. Spencer asked, mockingly.
+
+"Yes," said he, with a shrug and a lift of his eyebrows, "I forgot it."
+
+She turned to the King.
+
+"I shall be ready, Sire, to depart for Paris on the evening train,
+to-morrow," she said.
+
+"You shall have the permit in the morning," he answered.
+
+Then he turned to Lotzen--and the Duke saw and understood.  He
+straightened up and his heels came together sharply.
+
+Frederick looked at him, sternly for a moment.
+
+"It is unnecessary, sir, for me to particularize," he said.  "You know
+your crimes and their purpose--so do I.  The Court has no present need
+of plotters and will be the better for your absence.  It has been over
+long since you visited your titular estates, and they doubtless require
+your immediate attention.  You are, therefore, permitted to depart to
+them forthwith--and to remain indefinitely."
+
+Lotzen's hand rose in salute.
+
+"Yes, Your Majesty," he answered.
+
+The King bowed to Mrs. Spencer.
+
+"Madame, I bid you good evening and good-bye," he said.
+
+She curtsied low.
+
+"I thank Your Majesty for your gracious consideration," she said.
+
+Then she stepped quickly toward me and held out her hand.
+
+"Will you not say farewell, Armand--as in the days, long past?" she
+asked.
+
+I knew the Princess was looking; but I was in a generous mood.  I took
+her hand and bowed over it.
+
+"Captain Dalberg bids farewell to Colonel Spencer's wife," I said.
+
+Then I followed the King.
+
+
+A week has passed since the night in the Gallery.  Madeline Spencer has
+gone--forever from my path, I trust.  His Royal Highness, the Duke of
+Lotzen, has taken a long leave, and is sojourning on his mountain
+estates for the benefit of his health.  There has been another supper
+of six at the Inn of the Twisted Pines--with four bottles of Imperial
+Tokay; and, afterward, a charming ride home in the moonlight.
+
+To-night, there is to be a great State Dinner at the Palace, whereat
+His Majesty will formally announce the betrothal of the Princess Royal
+of Valeria and Field Marshal, the Grand Duke Armand.
+
+So much I know--and, surely, it is enough; and far more than enough.
+Yet, having that fixed and settled, there is another matter touching
+which Dehra and I have a vast curiosity:
+
+What says the great, brass-bound Laws of the Dalbergs?  Has the Order
+of Succession been changed?  Will I supplant Lotzen as the Heir
+Presumptive?
+
+But, on that, His Majesty is silent; and the Book is locked.  Nor does
+even the Princess venture to inquire.  Perchance, he is reserving it
+for a surprise at the Dinner, to-night.  Perchance, he thinks I have
+honor sufficient.
+
+Yet, none the less, do I wonder; and, I confess it, none the less do I
+hope.  Nor is the hope for myself alone--for, to be an Archduke of
+Valeria is rank enough for any man--but, also, for her whom I love, and
+the Nation loves, and who was born to wear a Crown.
+
+And, for her dear sake, do I pray, with all humility, yet, somehow,
+with the confidence of Right, that, in my unworthy self, the Line of
+stubborn old Hugo may come to its own again.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS***
+
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+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Colonel of the Red Huzzars, by John Reed Scott</title>
+<style type="text/css">
+BODY { color: Black;
+       background: White;
+       margin-right: 10%;
+       margin-left: 10%;
+       font-size: medium;
+       font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;
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+
+P {text-indent: 4% }
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+
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+	pre		{font-size: 65%;}
+</style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h1 align="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Colonel of the Red Huzzars, by John Reed
+Scott, Illustrated by Clarence F. Underwood</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Colonel of the Red Huzzars</p>
+<p>Author: John Reed Scott</p>
+<p>Release Date: November 22, 2005  [eBook #17131]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS***</p>
+<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<A NAME="img-front"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="&quot;You are a soldier&mdash;an American officer?&quot; she said, suddenly." BORDER="2" WIDTH="416" HEIGHT="666">
+<H4>
+[Frontispiece: "You are a soldier&mdash;an American officer?" she said, suddenly.]
+</H4>
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+THE COLONEL OF<BR>
+THE RED HUZZARS
+</H1>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+BY
+</H3>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+JOHN REED SCOTT
+</H2>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY
+<BR><BR>
+CLARENCE F. UNDERWOOD
+</H3>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP
+<BR><BR>
+PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+</H4>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+Copyright 1905 by JOHN REED SCOTT
+<BR><BR>
+Copyright 1906 by J. B. LIPPINCOTT CO.
+<BR><BR><BR>
+Published June, 1906
+</H5>
+
+<BR><BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+TO MY WIFE
+</H3>
+
+<BR><BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+CONTENTS
+</H2>
+
+<CENTER>
+
+<TABLE WIDTH="80%">
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap01">A PICTURE AND A WAGER</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap02">CONCERNING ANCESTORS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap03">IN DORNLITZ AGAIN</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap04">THE SALUTE OF A COUSIN</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap05">THE SALUTE OR A FRIEND</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap06">THE SIXTH DANCE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap07">AN EARLY MORNING RIDE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap08">THE LAWS OF THE DALBERGS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap09">THE DECISION</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap10">THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap11">THE FATALITY OF MOONLIGHT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap12">LEARNING MY TRADE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap13">IN THE ROYAL BOX</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap14">THE WOMAN IN BLACK</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap15">HER WORD AND HER CERTIFICATE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap16">THE PRINCESS ROYAL SITS AS JUDGE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap17">PITCH AND TOSS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap18">ANOTHER ACT IN THE PLAY</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap19">MY COUSIN, THE DUKE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap20">A TRICK OF FENCE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap21">THE BAL MASQUE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap22">BLACK KNAVE AND WHITE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap23">AT THE INN OF THE TWISTED PINES</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap24">THE END OF THE PLAY</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+</TABLE>
+
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+</H2>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#img-front">
+"You are a soldier&mdash;an American officer?" she said,<BR>
+suddenly&#8230;&#8230;<I>Frontispiece</I>
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#img-124">
+Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first time.
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<H3>
+<A HREF="#img-294">
+Our swords fell to talking in the garden of the masked ball.
+</A>
+</H3>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap01"></A>
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+THE COLONEL OF<BR>
+THE RED HUZZARS
+</H1>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+I
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+A PICTURE AND A WAGER
+</H3>
+
+<P>
+It was raining heavily and I fastened my overcoat to the neck as I came
+down the steps of the Government Building.  Pushing through the crowds
+and clanging electric cars, at the Smithfield Street corner, I turned
+toward Penn Avenue and the Club, whose home is in a big, old-fashioned,
+grey-stone building&mdash;sole remnant of aristocracy in that section where,
+once, naught else had been.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For three years I had been the engineer officer in charge of the
+Pittsburgh Harbor, and "the navigable rivers thereunto belonging"&mdash;as
+my friend, the District Judge, across the hall, would say&mdash;and my
+relief was due next week.  Nor was I sorry.  I was tired of dams and
+bridges and jobs, of levels and blue prints and mathematics.  I wanted
+my sword and pistols&mdash;a horse between my legs&mdash;the smell of gunpowder
+in the air.  I craved action&mdash;something more stirring than dirty banks
+and filthy water and coal-barges bound for Southern markets.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Five years ago my detail would have been the envy of half the Corps.
+But times were changed.  The Spanish War had done more than give straps
+to a lot of civilians with pulls; it had eradicated the dry-rot from
+the Army.  The officer with the soft berth was no longer deemed lucky;
+promotion passed him by and seized upon his fellow in the field.  I had
+missed the war in China and the fighting in the Philippines and, as a
+consequence, had seen juniors lifted over me.  Yet, possibly, I had
+small cause to grumble; for my own gold leaves had dropped upon me in
+Cuba, to the disadvantage of many who were my elders, and, doubtless,
+my betters as well.  I had applied for active service, but evidently it
+had not met with approval, for my original orders to report to the
+Chief of Engineers were still unchanged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The half dozen "regulars," lounging on the big leather chairs before
+the fireplace in the Club reception-room, waiting for the dinner hour,
+gave me the usual familiar yet half indifferent greeting, as I took my
+place among them and lit a cigar.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mighty sorry we're to lose you, Major," said Marmont.  "Dinner won't
+seem quite right with your chair vacant."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll come back occasionally to fill it," I answered.  "Meanwhile there
+are cards awaiting all of you at the Metropolitan or the Army and Navy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you don't look for an early assignment to the White Elephant
+across the Pacific?" inquired Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good Lord!" exclaimed Hastings, "did you apply for the Philippines?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What ails them?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Everything&mdash;particularly Chaffee's notion that white uniforms don't
+suit the climate?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that a criticism of your superior officer?" Marmont demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is never done in the Army," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which being the case let us take a drink," said Westlake, and led the
+way to the café.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Looks rather squally in Europe," Courtney observed, as the dice were
+deciding the privilege of signing the check.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will blow over, I fancy," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you seen the afternoon papers?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you don't know the Titian Ambassador has been recalled."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Indeed!  Well, I still doubt if it means fight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney stroked his grey imperial.  "Getting rather near one, don't
+you think?" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No closer than France and Turkey were only a short while ago," I
+answered.  "Moreover, in this case, the Powers would have a word to
+say."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, they are rather ready to speak out on such occasions; but, unless
+I'm much mistaken, if the Titians and the Valerians get their armies
+moving it will take more than talk from the Powers to stop them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And it's all over a woman," I observed carelessly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney gave me a sharp glance.  "I thought that was rather a secret,"
+he replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "It's one, at least, that the newspapers have not
+discovered&mdash;yet.  But, where did you get it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"From a friend; same as yourself," he said, with the suggestion of a
+smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear fellow," I said.  "I know more about the Kingdom of Valeria
+than&mdash;well, than your friend and all his assistants of the State
+Department."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't recall mentioning the State Department," Courtney replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You didn't.  I was honoring your friend by rating him among the
+diplomats."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He ignored my thrust.  "Ever been to Valeria?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Recently?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"About six years ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that the last time?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are you driving at?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He answered with another question: "Seen the last number of the London
+Illustrated News?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He struck the bell.  "Bring me the London News," he said to the boy.
+Opening it at the frontispiece he pushed it across to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Has she changed much since you saw her?" he asked, and smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a woman's face that looked at me from the page; and, though it
+was six years since I had seen it last, I recognized it instantly.
+There was, however, a certain coldness in the eyes and a firm set of
+the lip and jaw that were new to me.  But, as I looked, they seemed to
+soften, and I could have sworn that for an instant the Princess Dehra
+of Valeria smiled at me most sweetly&mdash;even as once she herself had done.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You seem uncommonly well pleased with the lady," Courtney observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I handed back the News.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have not answered my question," he insisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Look here, Courtney," I said, "it seems to me you are infernally
+inquisitive to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe I am&mdash;only, I wanted to know something," and he laughed softly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think I know it now," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you?" I retorted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Want to make a bet?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I never bet on a certainty," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney laughed.  "Neither do I, so here's the wager:&mdash;a dinner for
+twenty that you and I are in Valeria thirty days from to-night and have
+dined with the King and danced with the Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Done!" said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All I stipulate is that you do nothing to avoid King Frederick's
+invitation."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the Princess?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm counting on her to win me the bet," he laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I picked up the picture and studied it again.  The longer I looked the
+more willing I was to give Courtney a chance to eat my dinner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If the opportunity comes I'll dance with her," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course you will&mdash;but will you stop there, I wonder?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I tapped my grey-besprinkled hair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They are no protection," he said.  "I don't trust even my own to keep
+me steady against a handsome woman."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They are playing us false even now," said I.  "I'm not going to
+Valeria to decide a dinner bet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're not.  You're going as the representative of our Army to observe
+the Valerian-Titian War."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're as good as a gypsy or a medium.  When do I start?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be rude, my dear chap, and forget that, under the wager, I'm to
+be in the King's invitation&mdash;also the dance.  We sail one week from
+to-day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A bit late to secure accommodations, isn't it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They are booked&mdash;on the Wilhelm der Grosse."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are playing a long shot&mdash;several long shots," I
+laughed:&mdash;"War&mdash;Washington&mdash;me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wrong," said Courtney.  "I'm playing only War.  I have the Secretary
+and the Princess has you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have the Secretary!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Days ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Devil!" I exclaimed, lifting my glass abstractedly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Princess! you mean," said Courtney quickly, lifting his own and
+clicking mine.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at the picture again&mdash;and again it seemed to smile at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Princess!" I echoed; and we drank the toast.  "We're a pair of old
+fools," said I, when the glasses were emptied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney picked up the News and held the picture before me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Say that to her," he challenged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can't be rude to her very face," I answered lamely.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then one of the "buttons" handed me a telegram.  I tore open the
+yellow envelope and read the sheet, still damp from the copy-press.  It
+ran:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="letter">
+"Titia declares war.  Detail as attaché open.  If desired report at
+headquarters immediately.  Hennecker relieves you in morning.  Answer."
+<BR><BR>
+"(signed) HENDERSON, A. A. G."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+I tossed it over to Courtney.  "You're that much nearer the dinner," I
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the Princess also," he added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you're actually going?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Major, did you ever doubt it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your vagaries are past doubting," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And yours?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am going under orders of the War Department."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course," he answered, "of course.  And, that being so, you won't
+mind my confessing that I'm going largely on account of&mdash;a woman."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I won't mind anything that gives me your companionship."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So, it's settled," he said.  "Let us have some dinner, and then cut in
+for a farewell turn in the game of hearts upstairs."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will be another sort of game over the water," I observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;with a different sort of hearts," he said thoughtfully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is it possible, Courtney, you are growing sentimental?" I demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "There's no fool like an old fool, you
+know," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unless it be one that is just old enough to be neither old nor young,"
+said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then we went in to dinner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney is a good fellow; one of the best friends a man can have; well
+born, rich, with powerful political connections in both Parties, and
+having no profession nor necessary occupation to tie him down.  His
+tastes ran to diplomacy, and Secretaries of State&mdash;knowing this fact,
+and being further advised of it at various times by certain prominent
+Senators&mdash;had given him numerous secret missions to both Europe and
+South America.  Legations had been offered to him but these he had
+always declined; for, as he told me, he preferred the quiet,
+independent work, that carried no responsible social duties with it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It happened that General Russell, our representative at the Court of
+Valeria, was home on vacation.  Naturally, he would now return in all
+haste.  Here, I imagined, was an explanation of my sudden orders.  He
+was an intimate of our family; had known me since childhood, and,
+doubtless, had asked for my detail to his household, and also for
+Courtney's.  And Courtney, naturally, having been early consulted in
+the matter, knew all the facts and so was able to bluff at me with
+them.  It would be just as well to call him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is General Russell crossing with us?" I asked carelessly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney shook his head.  "He is not going back to Valeria."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" said I, realizing suddenly my mistake, "I didn't appreciate I was
+dining with an Ambassador."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's not yet announced.  However, I'm glad it does not change me," he
+laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can tell that better after we reach Valeria&mdash;and you have danced
+with the Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He sipped his coffee meditatively.  "Yes, there may be changes in
+Valeria in us both," he said presently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't do the heavy reproof if I chance to forget the difference in our
+rank," I answered.  "But you must manage one turn for me with Her Royal
+Highness, if you're to eat my dinner, you know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How many times have you been to Valeria?" he asked suddenly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some half dozen," I replied, surprised.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ever been in the private apartments of the Palace of Dornlitz?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No&mdash;I think not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I mean, particularly, the corridor where hang the portraits of the
+Kings?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't recall them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed shortly.  "Believe me, you would recall them well," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What the devil are you driving at?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll show you the night you dance with the Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A poor army officer doesn't usually have such honors."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No&mdash;not if he be only a poor army officer.  But, if he chance to
+be&mdash;&mdash;-"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," I said, "be what?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll tell you in the picture gallery," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And not another word would he say in the matter.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap02"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+II
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CONCERNING ANCESTORS
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+However, I did not need to wait so long for my answer.  I knew it quite
+as well as Courtney&mdash;maybe a trifle better.  Nevertheless, it is a bit
+jolting to realize, suddenly, that some one has been prying into your
+family history.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On the west wall of the Corridor of Kings, in the Palace of Dornlitz,
+hung the full-length portrait of Henry, third of the name and tenth of
+the Line.  A hundred and more years had passed since he went to his
+uncertain reward; and now, in me, his great-great-grandson, were his
+face and figure come back to earth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had said, truly enough, that I had never been in the Gallery of
+Kings.  But it was not necessary for me to go there to learn of this
+resemblance to my famous ancestor.  For, handed down from eldest son to
+eldest son, since the first Dalberg came to American shores, and, so,
+in my possession now, was an ivory miniature of the very portrait which
+Courtney had in mind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And the way of it, and how I chanced to be of the blood royal of
+Valeria, was thus:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Henry the Third&mdash;he of the portrait&mdash;had two sons, Frederick and Hugo,
+and one daughter, Adela.  Frederick, the elder son, in due time came to
+the throne and, dying, passed the title to his only child, Henry; who,
+in turn, was succeeded by his only child, Frederick, the present
+monarch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Adela, the daughter, married Casimir, King of Titia,&mdash;and of her
+descendants more anon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hugo, the younger son, was born some ten years after his brother,&mdash;to
+be accurate, in 1756,&mdash;and after the old King had laid aside his sword
+and retired into the quiet of his later years.  With an honestly
+inherited love of fighting, and the inborn hostility to England that,
+even then, had existed in the Valerians for a hundred years, Hugo
+watched with quickening interest the struggle between the North
+American Colonies and Great Britain which began in 1775.  When the
+Marquis de Lafayette threw in his fortunes with the Americans, Hugo had
+begged permission to follow the same course.  This the old King had
+sternly refused; pointing out its impropriety from both a political and
+a family aspect.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Hugo was far from satisfied, and his desire to have a chance at
+England waxing in proportion as the Colonies' fortunes waned, he at
+last determined to brave his fierce old father and join the struggling
+American army whether his sire willed it or no.  His mind once formed,
+he would have been no true son of Henry had he hesitated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King heard him quietly to the end,&mdash;too quietly, indeed, to presage
+well for Hugo.  Then he answered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I take it sir, your decision is made beyond words of mine to change.
+Of course, I could clap you into prison and cool your hot blood with
+scant diet and chill stones, but, such would be scarce fitting for a
+Dalberg.  Neither is it fitting that a Prince of Valeria should fight
+against a country with which I am at peace.  Therefore, the day you
+leave for America will see your name stricken from the rolls of our
+House, your title revoked, and your return here prohibited by royal
+decree.  Do I make myself understood?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So far as I have been able to learn, no one ever accused my
+great-grandfather of an inability to understand plain speech, and old
+Henry's was not obscure.  Indeed, Hugo remembered it so well that he
+made it a sort of preface in the Journal which he began some months
+thereafter, and kept most carefully to the very last day of his life.
+The Journal says he made no answer to his father save a low bow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two days later, as plain Hugo Dalberg, he departed for America.  For
+some time he was a volunteer Aide to General Washington.  Later,
+Congress commissioned him colonel of a regiment of horse; and, as such,
+he served to the close of the war.  When the Continental Army was
+disbanded, he purchased a place upon the eastern shore of Maryland;
+and, marrying into one of the aristocratic families of the
+neighborhood, settled down to the life of a simple country gentleman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He never went back to the land of his birth, nor, indeed, even to
+Europe.  And this, though, one day, there came to his mansion on the
+Chesapeake the Valerian Minister to America and, with many bows and
+genuflections, presented a letter from his brother Frederick,
+announcing the death of their royal father and his own accession, and
+offering to restore to Hugo his rank and estates if he would return to
+court.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And this letter, like his sword, his Order of the Cincinnati, his
+commissions and the miniature, has been the heritage of the eldest son.
+In his soldier days his nearest comrade had been Armand, Marquis de la
+Rouerie, and for him his first-born was christened; and hence my own
+queer name&mdash;for an American: Armand Dalberg.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was one of the traditions of our House that had been scrupulously
+honored: there was always a Dalberg on the rolls of the Army; though
+not always was it the head of the family, as in my case.  For the rest,
+we buried our royal descent.  And though it was, naturally, well known
+to my great-grandsire's friends and neighbors, yet, in the succeeding
+generations, it has been forgotten and never had I heard it referred to
+by a stranger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Therefore, I was surprised and a trifle annoyed at Courtney's
+discovery.  Of course, it was possible that he had been attracted only
+by my physical resemblance to the Third Henry and was not aware of the
+relationship; but this was absurdly unlikely, Courtney was not one to
+stop at half a truth and Dalberg was no common name.  Doubtless the
+picture had first put him on the track and after that the rest was
+easy.  What he did not know, however, but had been manoeuvring to
+discover, was how far I was known at the Court of Valeria.  Well, he
+was welcome to what he had got.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Now, as a matter of fact, it was quite likely that the Dalbergs of
+Dornlitz had totally forgotten the Dalbergs of America.  Since
+Frederick's minister had rumbled away from that mansion on the
+Chesapeake, a century and more ago, there had been no word passed
+between us.  Why should there be?  We had been disinherited and
+banished.  They had had their offer of reinstatement courteously
+refused.  We were quits.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I think I was the first of the family to set foot within Valeria since
+Hugo left it.  Ten years ago, during a summer's idling in Europe, I had
+been seized with the desire to see the land of my people.  It was a
+breaking of our most solemn canon, yet I broke it none the less.  Nor
+was that the only time.  However, I had the grace,&mdash;and, possibly, the
+precaution,&mdash;to change my name on such occasions.  In the Kingdom of
+Valeria I was that well-known American, Mr. John Smith.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I did the ordinary tourist; visited the places of interest, and put up
+at the regular hotels.  Occasionally, I was stared at rather
+impertinently by some officer of the Guards and I knew he had noted my
+resemblance to the national hero.  I never made any effort to be
+presented to His Majesty nor to establish my relationship.  I should
+have been much annoyed had anything led to it being discovered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Once, in the park of the palace, I had passed the King walking with a
+single aide-de-camp, and his surprise was such he clean forgot to
+return my salute; and a glance back showed him at a stand and gazing
+after me.  I knew he was thinking of the portrait in the Corridor of
+Kings.  That was the last time I had seen my royal cousin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next day, while riding along a secluded bridle path some miles from
+Dornlitz, I came upon a woman leading a badly-limping horse.  She was
+alone,&mdash;no groom in sight,&mdash;and drawing rein I dismounted and asked if
+I could be of service.  Then I saw her face, and stepped back in
+surprise.  Her pictures were too plentiful in the capital for me to
+make mistake.  It was the Princess Dehra.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed low.  "Your Royal Highness's pardon," I said.  "I did not mean
+to presume."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She measured me in a glance.  "Indeed, you are most opportune," she
+said, with a frank smile.  "I have lost the groom,&mdash;his horse was too
+slow,&mdash;and I've been punished by Lotta picking a stone I cannot remove."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+CONCERNING ANCESTORS   25
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By your leave," I said, and lifted the mare's hoof.  Pressing back the
+frog I drew out the lump of sharp gravel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It looks so easy," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was paining her exceedingly, but she is all right now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then I may mount?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Without hurting Lotta?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I turned the mare about and dropped my hand into position.  For a
+moment she hesitated.  Then there was the swish of a riding skirt, the
+glint of a patent-leather boot, an arched foot in my palm, and without
+an ounce of lift from me she was in the saddle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stepped back and raised my hat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gathered the reins slowly; then bent and patted the mare's neck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no move.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am waiting," she said presently, with a quick glance my way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do not see the groom," said I, looking back along the road.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave a little laugh.  "You won't," she said.  "He thinks I went
+another way."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then Your Highness means&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You do not look so stupid," she remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sometimes men's looks are deceiving."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, sir, Her Highness means she is waiting for you to mount," she
+said, very graciously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As her groom?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As anything you choose, so long as you ride beside me to the hill
+above the Park."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took saddle at the vault and we trotted away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why did you make me ask for your attendance?" she demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Because I dared not offer it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Another deception in your looks," she replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  She had evened up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are a soldier&mdash;an American officer?" she said suddenly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness has guessed most shrewdly," I answered, in surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you staying at the Embassy?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said I.  "I am not on the staff.  I am only a bird of passage."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know General Russell?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My father knew him, I believe," I answered, evasively, and turned the
+talk into less personal matters.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When we reached the hill I drew rein.  Down in the valley lay the
+Summer Palace and the gates of the Park were but a few hundred yards
+below us.  I dismounted to say good-bye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am very grateful for your courtesy," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is for the stranger to be grateful for your trust," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled,&mdash;that smile was getting into my poor brain&mdash;"A woman
+usually knows a gentleman," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And under certain circumstances she likes to know his name," she added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For a moment I was undecided.  Should I tell her and claim my
+cousinship?  I was sorely tempted.  Then I saw what a mistake it would
+be,&mdash;she would not believe it,&mdash;and answered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"John Smith, Your Royal Highness, and your most obedient servant."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She must have noticed my hesitation, for she studied my face an
+instant, then said, with a pause between each word and a peculiar
+stress on the name:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"General&mdash;Smith?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Simple Captain," I answered.  "We do not climb so rapidly in our Army."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then, from the barracks three miles away, came the boom of the
+evening gun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I am late.  I must hasten.  Good-bye, <I>mon
+Capitaine</I>; you have been very kind."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She drew off her gauntlet and extended her hand.  I bent and
+kissed,&mdash;possibly too lingeringly,&mdash;the little fingers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Farewell, Princess," I said.  And then, half under my breath, I added:
+"Till we meet again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She heard, and again that smile.  "'<I>Auf Wiedersehen</I>' be it," she
+answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she rode away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I leaned against my horse's shoulder and watched her as she went slowly
+down the hill, the full glory of the sinking sun upon her, and the
+shadows of the great trees close on either side.  Presently there came
+a bend in the road and, turning in the saddle, she waved her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I answered with my hat.  Then she was gone.  That was how I met the
+Princess Royal of Valeria.  And, unless she has told it (which,
+somehow, I doubt), none knows it but ourselves.  I had never seen her
+since.  Perhaps that is why I was quite content for Courtney to win his
+bet.  Truly, a man's heart does not age with his hair.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap03"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+III
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+IN DORNLITZ AGAIN
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+The declaration of war by Titia had come so suddenly that when Courtney
+and I sailed for Europe, the Powers were still in the air and watching
+one another.  No battle had been fought; but the armies were frowning
+at each other on the frontier, and several skirmishes had occurred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ostensibly, the trouble was over a slice of territory which Henry the
+Third had taken from Titia as an indemnity for some real or fancied
+wrongs done him.  Valeria, with its great general and powerful army,
+was too strong in those days for Titia to do more than protest&mdash;and,
+then, to take its punishment, which, for some reason that was doubtless
+sufficient to him.  Henry had seen fit to make as easy as it might be,
+by giving his daughter, Adela, to Casimir for wife.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Whether the lady went voluntarily or not I cannot say.  Yet it was,
+doubtless, the same with both Kings: The one got an unwilling province;
+the other, an unwilling bride.  Only, Titia's trouble was soonest over.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This ravished Murdol had always been a standing menace to the peace of
+the two countries; Titia had never forgiven its seizure, and Valeria
+was afflicted with the plague of disaffected subjects on its very
+border.  Here, as I have said, was the real <I>casus belli</I>,&mdash;a constant
+irritation that had at length got past bearing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But, in truth, the actual breach was due to a woman.  The Crown Prince
+of Titia had come a wooing of the Princess Royal of Valeria, and had
+been twice refused by her.  King Frederick had left the question
+entirely in her hands.  Her choice was her own, to marry or to decline.
+As a matter of state policy the match was greatly desired by him and
+his Ministers.  They were becoming very weary of Murdol and the turmoil
+it maintained on the border, and the great force of troops required
+there to preserve order.  Then, too, Titia had grown vastly in wealth
+and population since old Henry's time, and, now, was likely more than a
+match for its ancient enemy.   Frederick was aging and desired peace in
+his closing years.  He had long wished for a diplomatic way to rid
+himself of the troublesome province, and the marriage of Casimir and
+Dehra would afford it.  Murdol could be settled upon the Princess as
+her dower.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was an admirable solution of the whole vexing question.  Yet, unlike
+old Henry, Frederick was the father before he was the King; and, beyond
+telling the Princess frankly the policy which moved him in the matter,
+he did nothing to coerce her.  But the Ministers had no scruples of
+affection nor of kinship to control them and they brought all sorts of
+persuasive pressure upon her to obtain her consent to the match.  All
+this was known to the Kingdom, and the vast majority of the people were
+with the Princess.  The Army was with her to a man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The first proposal Dehra had declined promptly to the Prince in person.
+He had made it lover-like, and not through the diplomatic channels.
+After that the Titian Foreign Office took a hand, and the poor girl's
+troubles began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For six months the matter pended,&mdash;and still Dehra held firm.  Then
+Titia mobilized its army and demanded a decision within two
+days:&mdash;either the Princess or Murdol.  It got a "No" in two hours.  The
+declaration of war followed straight-way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Most of these facts were already known to me.  Those of latest
+happening came to Courtney from the State Department on the eve of our
+sailing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It looks like a one-battle war," he had observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Add a letter to your sentence and you will be nearer right," I
+answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed.  "A none-battle war, you mean."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so it proved.  When we landed it was to find that Germany had
+offered to mediate, and that, while the two Kingdoms were thinking it
+over, a truce had been declared.  Consequently, instead of hurrying
+straight to the Valerian army, I journeyed leisurely with Courtney to
+the capital.  There the first news that met us was that Germany's
+mediation had been accepted and that the war was at an end&mdash;for the
+present, at least.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, once again, had the Powers, in the interest of European peace,
+struck up the swords.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As we drove from the station to the Embassy we observed flags flying
+from almost every house, and that the public buildings were lavishly
+decorated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Peace seems to be well received," I remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the King's birthday," Courtney answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And a very happy one, I fancy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney stared at me.  "How so?" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He can now both keep his daughter and be rid of Murdol."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Princess is saved, of course, but in deference to the national
+self-respect, he dare give up Murdol only in one contingency:&mdash;if Titia
+can be persuaded to pay a money value for it.  Which I doubt."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I said nothing.  I, too, doubted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"However, it's not important to us," said he.  "Whatever the outcome
+the lady will be here long enough for you to lose the wager."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damn the wager," I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damn everything you have a mind to, my dear fellow," he encouraged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you in particular," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wherefore, my dear Major?" he laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For suggesting this fool thing."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Poor boy!  I should have regarded your youthful impetuosity."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And grey hairs," he added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've a mind to toss you out of the carriage," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do it,&mdash;and save me the trouble of getting myself out," he answered;
+and then we drew under the <I>porte cochère</I> at the Embassy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The matter of a residence had not bothered Courtney.  He simply took
+General Russell's lease off his hands, and twenty thousand a year rent
+with it.  I was to live at the Legation, there being no Ambassadorial
+women folks to make the staff <I>de trop</I>.  Naturally, I was quite
+satisfied.  It was a bit preferable to hotel hospitality.  And, then,
+the assistants were good fellows.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Cosgrove, who had been First Secretary for ten years, was from the
+estate next my own on the Eastern Shore.  It was through him I had been
+able to preserve my incog. so securely during my former visits to
+Valeria.  And if he had any curiosity as to my motives, he was
+courteous enough never to show it.  "The best assistant in Europe,"
+Courtney had once pronounced him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then there was Pryor, the Naval Attaché.  He had been off "cruising
+with the Army," as Cosgrove put it, pending my arrival and was not yet
+returned to Dornlitz.  The others of the office force were young
+fellows,&mdash;rich boys, either <I>in presente</I> or <I>futuro</I>,&mdash;who, likely,
+could only be depended upon to do the wrong thing.  Being fit for
+nothing at home, therefore, they had been considered to be particularly
+well qualified for the American diplomatic service.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+My room overlooked the Avenue, and the writing-desk was near the
+window.  I was drawing the formal report to the War Department of my
+arrival at Dornlitz and the status political and military, when the
+clatter of hoofs on the driveway drew my attention.  It was a tall
+officer in the green-and-gold of the Royal Guards, and pulling up
+sharply he tossed his rein to his orderly.  I heard the door open and
+voices in the hall; and, then, in a few minutes, he came out and rode
+away, with the stiff, hard seat of the European cavalryman.  I was
+still watching him when Courtney entered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What do you think of him?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I haven't seen enough of him to think," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not even enough to wonder who he is?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I yawned.  "His uniform tells me he is a colonel of the Guard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But nothing else?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can read a bit more."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"From the uniform?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're a veritable Daniel," Courtney laughed.  "What saith the
+writing&mdash;or rather, what saith the uniform?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's very simple to those who read uniforms."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So!" said he.  "I await the interpretation."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's too easy," I retorted.  "A Point Plebe could do it.  Your visitor
+was one of His Majesty's Aides-de-Camp bearing an invitation to the
+ball at the Palace to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For once I saw Courtney's face show surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How did you guess it?" he said, after a pause.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A diplomat should watch the newspapers," said I, and pointed to this
+item in the Court News of that morning's issue:
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="letter">
+"His Excellency the Honorable Richard Courtney, the newly accredited
+American Ambassador, is expected to arrive to-day.  He is accompanied
+by Major Dalberg, the Military Attaché.  His Majesty has ordered his
+Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Bernheim, to invite them to the Birthday Ball
+to-night; where they will be honored by a special presentation."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Courtney read it carefully.  "At last I see the simple truth in a daily
+paper," he commented.  "But, as for you, my friend, button your coat
+well over your heart for it's in for a hard thump tonight."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So?" said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There won't be so much indifference after you've met Her and&mdash;seen a
+certain picture in the Corridor of Kings," he retorted, with a superior
+smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Think not?" said I, with another yawn.  "What if I've done both years
+ago?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He eyed me sharply.  "It's foolish to bluff when a show-down is
+certain," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So one learns in the army."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course not every hand needs to bluff," he said slowly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No&mdash;not every hand," I agreed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He went over to the door.  On the threshold he turned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wonder if this is my laugh, or yours, to-night," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We will laugh together," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he went out.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap04"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+IV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE SALUTE OF A COUSIN
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+I would have been rather a wooden sort of individual had I felt no stir
+in my heart as, for the first time, I entered the Castle of my
+ancestors and stood in the ante-chamber waiting to be presented to the
+Head of my House.  I believe I am as phlegmatic as most men, but I
+would give very little for one who, under like conditions, would not
+feel a press of emotion.  I know it came to me with sharp
+intensity,&mdash;and I see no shame in the admission; nor will any one else
+whose heart is the heart of an honest man.  I have no patience with
+those creatures who deride sentiment.  They are either liars or idiots.
+Religion, itself, is sentimental; and so is every refined instinct of
+our lives.  Destroy the sentimental in man and the brute alone remains.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We waited but a moment and then were ushered into the royal presence.
+The greeting was entirely informal.  Courtney was no stranger to
+Valeria, and had met the King frequently during the last ten years.
+Frederick came forward and shook his hand most cordially and welcomed
+him to Court.  It was like the meeting of two friends.  During it I had
+time to observe the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He wore the green uniform of a General, with the Jewel of the Order of
+the Lion around his neck.  His sixty odd years sat very lightly and
+left no mark save in the facial wrinkles and grey hair.  He was a true
+Dalberg in height and general appearance, and with the strong, straight
+nose that was as distinctive to our family as was the beak to the
+Bourbons.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had remained in the background during Courtney's greeting, but, when
+he turned and presented me, I advanced and bowed.  As I straightened,
+the King extended his hand saying:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are glad to&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he caught a full view of my face and stopped, staring.  I dropped
+his hand and stepped back; and, for a space, no one moved.  Only, I
+shot a side glance at Courtney and caught a half smile on his lips.
+Then Frederick recovered himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your pardon, sir, but I did not catch the name," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney's finesse saved me the embarrassment of a self-introduction.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Major Dalberg, of the United States Army, Your Majesty," he said
+quickly.  "The representative of our War Department with your army."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dalberg&mdash;Dalberg," he muttered; then added, perfunctorily: "Our army
+is at your service, sir, though I fear we shall be unable to give you
+the war."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The army is quite enough, Sire," I began; but it was plain he did not
+hear me.  He was studying my face again and thinking.  Courtney, I
+could see, was having the finest sort of sport.  I could have throttled
+him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have our name, Major," said the King.  "May I ask if it is a
+common one in America?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know of no family but my own that bears it, there," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He sat down and motioned for us to do likewise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am interested," said he.  "Has your family been long in America?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Since the year 1777."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He leaned a bit forward.  "That was during your Revolutionary War."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Your Majesty.  It was that year Lafayette joined Washington's
+Army."  That will give him a surprise, I thought.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It did.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know the name of the Dalberg of 1777?" he asked quickly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I saw no profit in evasion.  "He was Hugo, second son of Henry the
+Third of Valeria," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I knew it," he exclaimed, jumping up and coming over to me.  "And you
+are?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His great-grandson and eldest male heir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, as such, I salute you, cousin," he said, and suddenly kissed me
+on the cheek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Were you ever kissed by a man?  If so, and you are a woman, it
+doubtless was pleasant enough, and, maybe, not unusual; but if you are
+a man, it will surprise you mightily the first time.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course, I understood all the significance of Frederick's action.
+Royalty on the Continent so greets only royalty or relatives.  It meant
+I was accepted as one of the Blood and a Prince of my House.  I admit
+my pride was stirred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty overwhelms me," I said, bowing again.  "I expected no
+recognition.  I am entitled to none.  Our name was stricken from the
+Family Roll."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He made a deprecating gesture.  "Don't let that disturb you, cousin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And believe me, also, I had no intention to disclose my relationship,"
+I protested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King laughed.  "You could not hide it with that face," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I must have flushed, for he exclaimed: "Ha!  You know that, do you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For answer I drew out the miniature of old Henry, which I had brought
+hoping for an opportunity to compare it with the original, and handed
+it to him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He gave it a quick glance and nodded.  "Yes, that went with Hugo," he
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was surprised and looked it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, the family records are very complete as to the affair of your
+headstrong ancestor," he explained.  "Old Henry himself set it all out
+in his journal; and he speaks of this very miniature as having been
+given to Hugo by his mother, the day he left Dornlitz.  There were two
+of them, copied from the portrait in the Corridor."  He crossed to a
+cabinet.  "And here is the other one," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I glanced at Courtney.  He threw up his hands in defeat; at the same
+time, however, signifying that I should press my advantage while the
+King was so well disposed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I shook my head.  My descent had been acknowledged, and that was
+quite enough&mdash;more than enough, indeed.  I had come to Valeria as a
+Major in the American Army.  I sought no favors from the Dalbergs here.
+From which it would seem that a bit of Hugo's stubborn independence had
+come down to me.  As for Courtney, the shrug of his shoulders was very
+eloquent of what he thought of such independence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Perchance you never heard of a certain letter dispatched to Hugo by
+his brother, Frederick, after Henry's death?" the King asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And delivered by his Ambassador," I supplemented.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The same.  Hugo, too, seems to have kept a journal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He kept the letter itself, and a copy of his answer," I added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King laughed.  "Altogether, Hugo must have been a rare fine fellow,
+with a mind of his own."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He was a son of Henry the Third," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King nodded.  "Yet 'twas a pity he did not accept Frederick's
+offer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fancy the new life was more to his mind."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doubtless,&mdash;but, had he returned, it would be you and not Ferdinand of
+Lotzen who would be the Heir Presumptive of Valeria."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.  "Had he returned I would not be I."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"True enough," said he.  "But think of the crown of your ancestors that
+might be yours."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is enough to be a Dalberg.  I have never thought of the crown," I
+answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There spoke the son of Hugo," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, suddenly, he seemed to remember that we were not alone, and,
+springing up, he sought out Courtney, who, though unable to get out of
+ear-shot, had courteously retired to the remotest corner of the room.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Courtney," he exclaimed.  "I have been unpardonably rude.  I
+forgot you completely.  Yet, you brought it on yourself; you should
+have prepared me for my cousin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Courtney had his part to play.  He must keep the American
+Ambassador free from fault.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Major Dalberg never disclosed his relationship to your Majesty," he
+said, formally; "else, as you are well aware, he could not have been
+given the detail without your express permission.  As it is, I shall be
+obliged to report the matter to my Government and&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do so, by all means, if it will keep your records clear," the King cut
+in, in the same formal tone; "but be careful, at the same time, to say
+to your State Department that we shall deem it a personal affront if
+our Kinsman be recalled.  And, now, sir," he went on with an amused
+smile and dropping the conventional air, "confess it.  Didn't you
+suspect the relationship?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have been a guest at the Court of Valeria too often not to have
+noted a certain resemblance," Courtney admitted readily.  Then, like a
+good fellow, he set me right.  "But, be assured, Your Majesty, not I
+nor I believe anyone, has ever heard Major Dalberg speak of his royal
+descent; though I admit I have tried hard to draw him to it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King looked at me and nodded in approval.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is a law of the family, laid down by Hugo himself," I explained.
+"Though, of course, our silence does not prevent anyone from proving
+the fact who investigates our genealogy," and I glanced significantly
+at Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This time it was he who doubled his fist at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then a door behind me opened and I heard the trail of a gown&mdash;whose, it
+was easy to guess.  Only one woman could have the privilege of entering
+the King's presence unbidden.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As Courtney and I arose and stepped back, the Princess halted
+uncertainly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, Dehra," said the King.  "You know the American Ambassador."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney bowed, but the Princess held out her hand, saying cordially:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are glad to welcome Mr. Courtney here as a resident."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney made some fitting reply,&mdash;there was always one on the end of
+his tongue.  And then the King turned to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Major Dalberg," he said, "salute your cousin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I do not know which cousin was the more startled, but I am quite sure
+which was the more embarrassed.  In truth, for a moment, I was too
+confused to move.  The one thought that kept pounding through my brain
+was: "What am I expected to do?"  Frederick had saluted me with a kiss;
+was it possible he meant me to kiss Dehra!  I glanced across at
+Courtney,&mdash;he was struggling to suppress his merriment,&mdash;then back at
+the Princess; and caught what I was fool enough to imagine was a look
+of glad surprise.  She had recognized and remembered me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That settled it.  I stepped forward and deliberately kissed her on the
+cheek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next instant my mouth stung with the blow of an open hand, and I
+was looking down into the flashing eyes and flaming face of the
+Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was quite evident I had not been expected to kiss her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sir!" she exclaimed.  "Sir!"  And with each word she seemed to strike
+me afresh.  Then words failed her, and with another gesture of disdain
+she gave me her back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty, who is this&mdash;&mdash;?" she began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she stopped and I heard her catch her breath.  The next moment,
+with high-held head she swept by me and from the room.  And with her
+going crumbled all the bright castles I had builded on the memories of
+that ride in the forest, six years before.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course I had been a silly fool.  The fiend himself must have
+possessed me.  But I had kissed her, and that was something to
+remember,&mdash;though, doubtless, that itself but proved me the greater
+idiot.  All this and much more whirled through my mind in the moment of
+the Princess's leaving; then I turned, expecting to face the scorn of
+the King,&mdash;and found him wiping the tears from his eyes and shaking
+with laughter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So this was what had seat Dehra from the room in anger.  And,
+straightway, the skies brightened.  Plainly, if her father were not
+offended, I might yet make my peace with her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I, too, began to smile.  Doubtless there was a funny side to it;
+though it seemed to be more evident to the spectators than to me.  At
+any rate, the King still laughed, and so did Courtney; though quietly
+and discreetly.  His, I admit, I did not relish; so I spoke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am very sorry, Your Majesty; I meant no offence&mdash;&mdash;" I began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense, Major," the King interrupted.  "You gave none."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Indeed!" I said, and rubbed my mouth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, don't hold that against the Princess," he chuckled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She didn't hit half hard enough." I said.  "She should have knocked me
+down."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shook his head.  "She misunderstood the whole matter.  I forgot she,
+doubtless, knows nothing of the American branch of the House; so, my
+calling you cousin conveyed no meaning, if indeed she even heard it.
+She simply thought you a presumptuous stranger."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And so I am."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He waved the idea aside.  "You are her nearest male relative after
+myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That may mitigate my presumption&mdash;but, none the less, I'm a stranger."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No Dalberg is stranger to a Dalberg, and least of all in the presence
+of the Dalberg King," he said.  Then the smile came again.  "But, by
+the Lord, sir, I admire your pluck&mdash;to kiss the Princess Royal of
+Valeria before her father's very face."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It wasn't pluck," I protested.  "It was rank ignorance.  I was at a
+loss what greeting was proper;" and I explained my perplexity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course," he said kindly, but with a shrewd twinkle in his blue
+eyes, "I understand.  Only, I fancy it would be wiser that I make your
+excuses to your cousin.  For, believe me, my dear Major, for one in
+such doubt you kissed her with amazing promptness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This time Courtney laughed aloud and the King and I joined him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you think I may venture, sometime, to speak to her without
+renewed offence?" I asked presently, as we were about to retire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Assuredly," said the King.  "When you meet her again to-night act as
+though you had known her always.  I'll answer for it, she will not
+respond with a blow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just at the door he called to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Major," he said, "which would be your preference: to be introduced
+to-night as one of the Blood, or to hold off a while and continue your
+duties as American Attaché?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had had this very matter in my mind a moment before.  "With Your
+Majesty's permission I will execute my orders&mdash;at least, for the
+present," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think that were the proper course under the circumstances.
+Meanwhile, we will provide that you have the entrée, and as many
+prerogatives of your birth as are properly consistent with conditions."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without, a chamberlain awaited to conduct us to the Hall of the Kings,
+where the birthday ball was to be held.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap05"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+V
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE SALUTE OF A FRIEND
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+One Court function is pretty much like another, Europe over.  There is
+the same sparkle of jewels and shimmer of silk on aristocratic woman;
+the same clank of spur and rattle of sword and brilliancy of uniform on
+official man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney had long ago become familiar with it all, and I in my details
+and travels had seen enough to make me indifferently easy, at least.
+We had tarried overtime with the King, and, so, were the last to reach
+the Hall.  At the door Cosgrove joined us and under his guidance we
+made our way to the diplomatic line.  Scarcely were we there when His
+Majesty and the Princess Royal were announced and between the ranks of
+bowing guests they passed to the throne.  As Frederick stepped upon the
+dais there arose spontaneously the shout, thrice repeated:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Long live the King!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And then someone cried:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Long live Dalberg!"  And the throng joined in it twice again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+How the King acknowledged it I do not know.  My whole attention was
+given to the Princess.  It was my first good view of her since the day
+I had acted as substitute groom.  For the bad few minutes lately passed
+had been given over to labial and mental sensations to the exclusion of
+the ocular.  Now I had more leisure while those ranking and senior to
+Courtney made their felicitations upon the royal birthday.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was little changed from my lady of the forest; only a bit more
+roundness to the figure and maturity in the face, particularly about
+the set of the mouth when in repose.  Otherwise, she was the same
+charming woman who had smiled me into subjection six years before.
+Beautiful?  Of course; but do not ask me for description, other than
+that she was medium in height, willowy in figure and dark blonde in
+type.  With that outline your imagination must fill in the rest.  Words
+only caricature a glorious woman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When it came our turn, the King seemed to make it a point to greet me
+with marked cordiality; not waiting for my name to be announced, but
+stepping over to the edge of the dais to meet me and holding me in
+conversation an unusual time.  It was noticed to the Court that I had
+the royal favor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, with the quiet aside: "It's all explained," he passed me over to
+the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was talking with Courtney, and turned and met me with a smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let us shake hands and be friends, cousin," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The graciousness of the gesture, was plain enough to the whole room,
+but the words reached only Courtney and me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't deserve it&mdash;cousin," I said; but I took her hand, none the
+less.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, after a word more, we gave place to those that followed us.  But,
+as I bowed away, she said low: "The sixth dance, cousin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so I knew my peace was made.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked for some banter from Courtney, but there was none; only a bit
+of a smile under the grey moustache.  What he said was:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, let us circle the room and see whom we know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We know none, if I'm to do the knowing," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Queer state of affairs," he reflected; "the true Heir Presumptive, yet
+a stranger in the Court."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh! drop that nonsense," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His hand went up to his imperial.  "Nonsense?  Well, maybe so,&mdash;and
+there's the pity of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "My dear fellow," I said, "you are becoming sentimental,
+and without even the excuse of a pretty woman in the case."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He faced toward the throne.  "You don't act like a blind man," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can see the Princess very clearly, but only with Major Dalberg's
+eyes," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But if you were proclaimed the&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I cut him short.  "I am too old for rainbow-chasing, and Spanish
+Castles don't become an ambassador."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There you are wrong, my dear Major; diplomacy deals in <I>chateaux en
+Espagne</I>.  It has builded many upon weaker foundations than this one,
+that have, in time, become substantial and lasting."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, it's a good thing that we army fellows are called upon,
+occasionally, to tumble a few of them about your diplomatic ears."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed.  "You poor military men don't know it's only the phantom
+castles you tumble.  We never give you a chance at any others."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So I've been a Don Quixote all these years and didn't know it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"About that!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And that warrants you in sending me to tilt against this foolish
+heir-presumptive windmill."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But if it were to prove no windmill?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely," I said&mdash;"Surely, you are not serious?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He gave me one of his quick glances and his hand went back to his chin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'Quién sabe?' as the Spaniard would say, Major; 'Quién sabe?'" he
+replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be an ass, Courtney," I exclaimed.  "And don't play me for one,
+either."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A lift of the eyebrows was his answer&mdash;but Courtney could say much that
+way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's not a bad sort of occupation&mdash;being a King," he reflected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I ignored him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you could fill the place quite as well as Ferdinand of Lotzen," he
+went on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You will be offering presently to wager that I'll be the next King of
+Valeria," I scoffed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With the proper odds, I'd risk it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Name them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No&mdash;not yet," he said; "but I'll go you five thousand even, now, that
+you marry the Princess Royal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This court atmosphere seems to go to your head."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That has nothing to do with the wager," he insisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll not take you," I said.  "The last fool bet is enough for me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I thought I heard someone say: 'The sixth dance, cousin.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You did."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you call that a 'fool bet'?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do,&mdash;and the more so that we were sober when we made it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're a bit hard to please, lately," he mocked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm a bit easily led astray, lately, you mean," I retorted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this talk, as we made our way through the crowd, was interrupted at
+intervals while Courtney greeted those he knew and presented me.  They
+were mainly of the diplomatic corps and, if they noted the coincidence
+of my name and Dalberg features, they were adepts enough not to show
+it.  Not so, however, with some of the elderly Valerian dignitaries and
+army officers; they were very evidently surprised and curious,&mdash;and,
+very shortly, it was plain I was the object of their discussion and
+careful observation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How do you enjoy it?" Courtney inquired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You forget that this is not my first visit to Dornlitz," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some day I'd like to know of those other visits."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's nothing to know; they were like any other tourist's."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Really, Major, you throw your opportunities away," he said, and I saw
+he did not believe me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What opportunities?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He smiled.  "Well, not those for prevarication, certainly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Isn't that a necessary qualification of a diplomatic attaché?" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite the most important,&mdash;and I don't doubt you will find it useful
+before you leave Valeria."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the band blared out into a waltz and the crowd drew away from the
+centre of the floor.  I expected the real Heir Presumptive to lead out
+the Princess.  I admit I was curious to see him.  Report made him a
+very able young fellow, and his pictures showed a goodly figure.
+Instead, however, someone in a Colonel's uniform was her partner to
+open the dance.  I turned to Courtney interrogatingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is Prince Charles, Lotzen's brother," he explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the Duke?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Still with the Army, I suppose."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the Princess swung by and, catching my eye, gave me a quick smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sort of a relief, isn't it?" Courtney remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded mechanically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only I wouldn't tell her so," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wouldn't tell her what?" I demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That you were relieved to know she could dance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I never doubted it," I said shortly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked surprised.  "Oh!" he remarked; "Oh!"&mdash;and fell to stroking
+his imperial.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Courtney," said I, "you're a great fool&mdash;and I'm another."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"True, Major, quite true; I found that out long ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+My irritation went down before his unfailing good nature.  It was
+always so.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Since we are unanimous on that point," I said, "I have no ground for
+quarrel."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I danced the next number with Lady Helen, the youngest daughter of Lord
+Radnor, the British Ambassador.  We were old friends, after the modern
+fashion.  I had met her in Washington some four or five years before,
+while on staff duty, and we had danced and dined ourselves into each
+other's regard.  Then, Lord Radnor was transferred to Dornlitz and I
+went back into active service.  So I had been altogether well pleased
+to find her with the Radnors when we chanced upon them during the
+stroll around the room, and I had engaged a pair of dances to give us a
+chance for a quiet little chat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know, Major, for a stranger you are arousing extraordinary
+curiosity?" she remarked, as we sat on the terrace.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.  "Yes, I believe I am."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked surprised.  "So you have heard of it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I knew it years ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, how stupid!" she exclaimed.  "Of course, this is not your first
+visit to Dornlitz.  Yet, it's a queer coincidence that you should have
+both the family name and the great Henry's features."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, no," said I; "not particularly queer, since I am his
+great-great-grandson."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She closed her fan with a snap.  "His great-great-grandson!" she echoed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I thought yours an old American family.  Didn't you tell me, one
+day at Mount Vernon, that a Dalberg fought with Washington?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was my turn to be surprised.  I had long forgotten both the
+circumstance and the remark.  "And I told you truly enough," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She frowned a bit; then shook her head.  "I cannot understand," she
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Doubtless I was foolish&mdash;Courtney would have called it something
+stronger&mdash;but, nevertheless, I told her the story of Hugo.  For the
+benefit of the scoffer let me say that the Lady Helen could be very
+fetching when she was so minded, and this was our first meeting in four
+years.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How romantic!" she exclaimed, when I had finished my tale.  "Father
+will be so interested."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I almost tumbled out of the chair.  "Lord Radnor will not have the
+opportunity to be interested," I said sharply.  "You may not tell him,
+nor anyone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Certainly not, if you wish it," she said instantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought she could be trusted; but it would do no harm to give her a
+bit of warning as to the situation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None but the King, the Princess and Courtney knows of this
+relationship," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She regarded me with an amused smile.  "Which means, if it become
+known, I alone could be the tattler."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was no need to press the point further.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is His Majesty's secret as well as mine," I said, as if in
+explanation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her pretty shoulders.  "I shall keep it because
+it's&mdash;yours," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was no doubt Lady Helen could be fetching when she was so minded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took her hand and kissed it.  Then I glanced around for onlookers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lady Helen laughed softly.  "You men always do that," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You look only after it's all over."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" said I, again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At least, so I have observed," she admitted, frankly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean such has been your experience?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said she, with a mischievous gleam in her grey eyes, "wasn't it
+so just now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I got up and looked carefully around.  No one was very near and we were
+in the shadow.  I leaned over and quickly kissed her on the cheek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It wasn't so that time," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She sat perfectly quiet for a bit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let us hope," she said, at length; "let us hope that your eyes were
+trustworthy.  Otherwise&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?" I questioned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Otherwise our engagement must be announced or&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You must give me the chance to cut you publicly, after which you must
+leave Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here was a mess, sure enough.  Yet, I was in for it&mdash;as most fools
+usually are.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which shall it be?" I said gayly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She leaned close and looked me in the eyes.  And beside her winsome
+face I saw, in my mind's eye, the Princess's, too&mdash;but only for an
+instant.  Then I took her hand again.  She smiled sweetly, almost as
+sweetly as Dehra herself could do.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let us wait until we know if we were seen," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made a move to kiss her again, but she drew away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not so, sir; that time you did not look," she said, and stepped out
+into the light.  Then I took her back to Lady Radnor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be disconsolate, Major," she said, as we parted.  "No one saw
+you&mdash;on the terrace."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked down at her gravely.  "I am beginning to hope someone did," I
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shot a quick glance at me over her fan.  "Are you tired of Dornlitz
+so soon?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think I want to stay in Dornlitz," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But the alternative, Major, the alternative."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is why I want to stay."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "You did that very prettily," she said.  "I shall forgive
+you the&mdash;the kiss."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But if someone saw it?" I protested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You great stupid," she exclaimed, "no one did.  Do you think I didn't
+look?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" said I.  "Oh!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sometimes you men are very foolish," she sympathized.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at her a bit in silence.  "You have changed since America," I
+remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For the better?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's not nice of you," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Courtney came up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Run along, Major," he ordered; "you've kept the Lady Helen over time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She took his arm.  "Please take me out on the terrace," she said.  Then
+she smiled at me aggravatingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe our chairs are still vacant; better take Courtney to them," I
+said maliciously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was not quite fair, possibly; and she told me so with her eyes,
+though her lips smiled.  I knew I had given her another score to settle.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap06"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+VI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE SIXTH DANCE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+It was Colonel Bernheim who brought me the Princess's commands for the
+dance; and the courteous way he did his office made me like him on the
+instant.  And this, though there was a certain deference of manner that
+was rather suggestive.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Princess was in the small room behind the throne and, when I was
+announced, beckoned me to her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Major Dalberg," said she, when I had made my bow, "I have ordered the
+band to play an American quickstep; will you dance it with me as it is
+done at your great school&mdash;West Point, is it not?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was done very neatly, indeed.  No one of those present could have
+imagined there was any prior arrangement as to that particular dance.
+I saw the King smile approvingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Royal Highness honors my country and its army, but through a very
+unworthy representative, I fear," I said, as I gave her my arm.  Then
+the music began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I have very little recollection of that dance; but I do know that Dehra
+needed no instruction in our way of doing the two-step; she glided
+through it as naturally as a Point-girl herself.  And, when I told her
+so, she shrugged her pretty shoulders and answered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are not the first American attaché, you know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nor the last, either," I replied, and then held my peace, though I saw
+her hide a smile behind her roses.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But you are the first that has been my cousin," she said sweetly,&mdash;and
+I succumbed, of course.  Yet I was punished promptly, nevertheless, for
+at the throne she stopped and I led her back to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"May I not have another dance later?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head.  "Don't you think you have been already favored
+more than you deserve, cousin?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "I do; that's why I am encouraged to ask for more."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What a paragon of modesty!" she mocked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I passed it by.  "And the dance?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall dance no more to-night," she said.  Then we reached the door
+and found the small room crowded with officials and dignitaries.  The
+Princess halted sharply.  "But you may take me for a turn on the
+terrace," she concluded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As we crossed the wide floor the crowd fell back,&mdash;but Dehra gave no
+greeting to anyone, though she must have known all eyes were upon us.
+Yet, to give her due credit, she seemed as unconscious of it as if we
+were alone in the room.  As for me, I admit I was acutely conscious of
+it, and the walk to the door seemed endless.  I must have shown my
+relief when it was over, for the Princess looked up with a smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's your first trial as one of the Blood," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There are compensations," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She ignored the point.  "They are very few."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sometimes, one would be ample."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again she evaded.  "Yes, the privilege to be as free as the lowest
+subject," she answered, instantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pure theory," I said.  "The lowest subject would think you mad."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I would gladly exchange places," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't make any of them the offer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No&mdash;out of regard for my Father I won't."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a great thing to be a Princess Royal," I ventured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I dare say&mdash;to those who care for great things."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who do not?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't.  At least I think I don't."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You would think so only until you were not the Princess Royal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That may be; but, as I am the Princess Royal and cannot well change my
+birthright, I don't see how I am to get the chance to think otherwise."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's better to think you do not like great things when you have them,
+than to like them and not have them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You make it only a choice of unhappinesses," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I make it only life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are too young to be pessimistic," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you are too fortunate in life to be unhappy," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But you said life was but a choice of unhappinesses."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only to the discontented."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" said she.  "Instead of a pessimist you are a philosopher."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I sincerely trust I'm neither."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So do I, cousin," she laughed, "if we are to be friends.  I don't like
+philosophers; which is natural, doubtless; and as a pessimist I prefer
+no rival."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which is also natural," I added.  "And I promise not to interfere with
+your prerogative nor do the Socrates act again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Entre nous</I>, I think you're wise; neither becomes you particularly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "You're frank."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the privilege of cousins," she replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" said I.  "I'm glad you think so."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is&mdash;in matters strictly cousinly," she added quickly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall remember," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave me a quick glance.  "Can you remember several years back?" she
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(So, she had recognized me.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That depends," said I.  "I have a bad memory except for pleasant
+things."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then I am quite sure you will remember," she laughed, and fell to
+picking a rose apart, petal by petal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am ready to remember anything," I said, catching one of the petals.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!  But maybe I don't want you to remember."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then I'm ready&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at me quickly.  "To forget?" she interrupted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To remember only what you wish," I ended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That means you will remember nothing until I wish it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I caught the half-plucked rose as she let it fall.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It means my memory is at your command," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She drew out another rose and dropped it deliberately.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am very awkward," she said, as I bent for it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On the contrary, I thought you did it very prettily," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "Then you may keep it instead of the torn one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall keep both."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Always?" she mocked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At least until I leave you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank Heaven, cousin, for once in my life I have had an honest
+answer!" she exclaimed, holding out her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took it.  I did not kiss it, though that may seem strange.
+Sometimes, I do have the proper sense of the fitness of things.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the privilege of cousins to be frank," I quoted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you always been frank with me?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rather too much so, I fear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave me a sharp look.  "Do you know a Captain Smith of your Army?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Smith is a very common name in America.  I know at least a dozen who
+are officers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"John Smith is his name.  He was a Captain, six years ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I appeared to think a moment.  "I know two such&mdash;one in the Cavalry,
+the other in the Engineers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Describe them, please."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I showed surprise.  "Does Your Royal Highness&mdash;&mdash;?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She cut in.  "That is just what she is trying to find out."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Whether either of them is the Captain Smith I have in mind."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Both would be much honored."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am not so sure as to the one I mean.  He was a very conceited
+fellow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I gritted back a smile.  "It must have been the Engineer," I said.
+"He's a good deal of a prig."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She bent over the roses.  "Oh, I wouldn't call him just that."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's no more than I've heard him call himself," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You must know him rather intimately."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On the contrary, I know him very slightly, though I've been thrown
+with him considerably."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you not friendly?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We have had differences."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the roses did duty.  "I fear you are prejudiced," she said, and I
+thought I caught a smothered laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at all," I insisted.  "I am disposed in his favor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So I should judge."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I could not decide which way she meant it.  "Oh, he is not all bad," I
+condescended.  "In many ways he is a good sort of chap."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, that's better." she rejoined; "to say for him what he could not,
+of course, say for himself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I forced back another laugh.  "Oh, I don't know why he should not have
+said that to a friend," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would depend much on the friend."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I did not know if she had given the opening, deliberately, but I took
+it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, he would say that only to one he felt could understand him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are painting him rather better than you did at first," she
+observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm warming up to the subject."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then suppose you tell me what he looks like."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That," said I, "is to tell his greatest fault."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do not understand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He looks like me," I explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How horrible," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He has never ceased to deplore it," I said humbly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, he never told you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To my face, many times."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You had good cause for differences, then."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you, cousin," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, may I ask," she went on, "what you did to him at such times?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shook my head.  "It would not tell well."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, possibly not; but tell me, anyway," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sometimes, I put him to bed&mdash;-and, sometimes, I bought him a
+superabundance of red liquor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't tell me the other times," she interposed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said I, "I won't."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She fell to plucking the roses again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This Captain Smith," she said presently; "was he in Valeria six years
+ago?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That would be in 189&mdash;?"  I reflected a moment.  "Yes he was here that
+year."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She thought a bit.  "Was he given to reminiscing?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No one in America but myself knew he had been to Valeria."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I saw the blunder.  "It happened he knew of my Dalberg descent," I
+hastened to add.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Has he ever mentioned an adventure in the forest near the Summer
+Palace?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am quite sure he has not," I said, but without looking at her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I felt a touch on my arm&mdash;and I took her gloved fingers in my own
+and held them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are very good, cousin," she said, then loosed her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"When did you recognize me?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"When you kissed me.  That was why I was so angry."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I noticed you were annoyed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yet, I was more disappointed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?" I inflected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To have my ideal Captain Smith shattered so completely."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But when you learned it was your cousin?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That saved the ideal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I cannot live up to the Captain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head.  "There is no need.  The Captain is dead.  It is my
+cousin Armand now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But every woman has her ideal," I ventured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I shall have to find a new one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then it's only exit the Captain to enter a stranger," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not necessarily a stranger," she returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To be sure," I agreed; "there is His Royal Highness, the Duke of
+Lotzen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Or Casimir of Titia," she added, drawing down her mouth.  "Or even my
+new-found cousin Armand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He died with the Captain," I laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, the Captain died with him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think, as a matter of proper precaution, it would be well to go in,"
+I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you tired of me, so soon?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You know very well it's because I'm fearful of disgracing the Captain
+again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Please don't," she said smilingly, "here comes a friend of yours."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was Courtney with Lady Helen on his arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Two friends of mine," I said, as they passed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You know Lady Helen Radnor?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"After a fashion.  I was stationed in Washington while Lord Radnor was
+Ambassador there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You two would suit each other."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You both are&mdash;shall I say it&mdash;flirts."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I began to disclaim.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense!" she cut in.  "Don't you think a woman knows another
+woman&mdash;and also a man?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By your leave, cousin, I'll not think," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a bit unnecessary sometimes," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no reply.  In truth, I knew none.  But the Princess did not seem
+to notice it.  She was plucking at the roses again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wish I might flirt," she broke out suddenly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I grasped the marble rail for support.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't look so surprised," she laughed, "I'll not try it&mdash;I know what
+is permitted me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you never flirted?" I asked with assumed seriousness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No; that's another penalty of birth.  With whom may the Princess Royal
+flirt?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I waved my hand toward the ball room.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I hope I am neither cruel nor indiscreet," she said, rather curtly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But there are many royal guests come to Dornlitz," I ventured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "They all bore me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which only makes them the better material to practice on."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, I am very innocent," she said.  "I thought at least a bit of
+sentiment was required."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sentiment only endangers the game," I explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But suppose the sentiment were to come suddenly&mdash;in the midst of the
+'game,' as you call it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then," said I, "there is rare trouble ahead for the other party."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But if that one also were to become&mdash;you know," she went on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's an end to the flirtation; it's a different kind of game then."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you quite sure there can be flirtation without sentiment?" she
+persisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the only artistic sort; and the only safe sort, too," I answered
+sagely.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And is it a pleasant game to play for a while in that fashion?" she
+asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doubtless," I answered evasively; "only it is rarely done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She went back to the roses again.  "I think, cousin, I shall flirt with
+you," she said suddenly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took a fresh hold on the railing.  I was surprised.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I was more troubled; for I was quite sure she meant it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't you think, Princess, you are putting me to a heavy test?" I
+objected.  "I may cease to be artistic."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You said it could be done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, as a general&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then your test is no heavier than mine," she interrupted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed.  So, this was her punishment for the kiss of salutation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But if I were to fail to carry the game through properly?" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She hesitated.  "I may fail, too," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And then?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked away.  "It would make no difference in the ending.  You
+would go away; and I&mdash;would make some crazy marriage of political
+expediency."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I straightened up.  Maybe she had not been maliciously leading me out.
+Maybe she was simply unhappy and wanting a new sensation.  Then,
+suddenly, she put her hand on my arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, Armand," she said; "take me back to the King.  We have flirted
+enough for one evening."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We?" I said wonderingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She took a rose from her gown&mdash;and drew it through my sword belt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," she said; and gave me one of those bewildering smiles.
+"Wouldn't you call it that?  At least, you have taught me to-night all
+I know of the game."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And how about six years ago, cousin?" I said, securing her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked down demurely.  "Well, maybe I did learn a little that day,"
+she admitted.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap07"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+VII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+The second morning after the ball I arose early&mdash;in fact, just as the
+bugles of the garrison were sounding reveille&mdash;and went for a horseback
+ride into the country.  Though I knew about all the roads in the
+vicinity, I confess it never occurred to me to take any but that which
+led toward the Summer Palace and the place where I had first met the
+Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It may be some will scoff at this, but I venture that by far the
+majority will deem it only natural.  For myself I may further admit
+that I ordered my horse the night before for no other purpose; and I
+have no excuse to offer.  From all of which it may be inferred that I,
+at least, was scarcely likely to be artistic long in a certain
+flirtation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had thought it all over during the last thirty-six hours, and, as I
+jogged through the streets, I went over with it again&mdash;and always with
+the same result: I would enjoy it while it lasted.  Afterward&mdash;well,
+afterward would be time enough when it came.  So I shrugged my
+shoulders and returned the salute of the officer at the gate and rode
+out into the open country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had gone, possibly, a mile when there came the beat of running hoofs
+behind me and rapidly nearing.  Thinking it might be a messenger from
+the Embassy I swung around in saddle&mdash;only to find the front horse was
+ridden by a woman and the other by a groom.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+My first thought was: "The Princess!" my next: "By Jove, she rides
+well!"  Then something familiar in seat and figure struck me and I
+recognized Lady Helen Radnor.  Evidently she had already made me out,
+for she waved her crop and pulled down to a canter.  Here was an end to
+my solitary ride; I turned back to meet her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, Major Dalberg, what luck!" she cried.  "One might imagine we were
+in Washington again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What need for Washington," said I, "since we are here?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"True!  It's always the people that make the place," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you like Dornlitz as well as Washington?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, lately."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If I were at all conceited I would guess that 'lately' meant&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But as I'm not conceited I won't guess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm afraid it's not quite the same, then, as in Washington!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There, you would have been ready to believe I followed you
+intentionally."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Did you ever do that?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "We are quits now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then I may ride with you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely&mdash;why do you think I overtook you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed to my horse's neck.  "I am flattered," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You ought to be, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at her quickly.  It was said, it seemed to me, a bit sharply;
+but she gave me only the usual mocking smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where shall we go?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have no choice?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None&mdash;all roads are alike delightful now.  Besides, you forget I came
+here only two days ago; this is my first ride since then."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, suppose we go out by the Forge and around by the hill road above
+the Palace?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You must be the guide," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along, then; we turn to the right here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only"&mdash;&mdash;I began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!  I'll have you back in time for breakfast," she cut in.  "That was
+what you meant?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Ladyship is a mind reader."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense!  I'm human enough to have an appetite, too."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Perhaps there is an inn on the way," I suggested.  (There was none six
+years ago.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head.  "There's nothing to eat before Dornlitz, if we go
+that route."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some day we must find one that has a breakfast on it," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There are several; I know them well," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good; and you will take me to them?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will be jolly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am very lucky to have you in Dornlitz," I said gratefully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled sweetly.  "Maybe I'm lucky, too," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It brought me up with a jerk.  It was folly to be serious with her&mdash;she
+was only bantering as usual.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's none of my affair, of course," I said with assumed sadness, "but
+I would like to know how many poor devils have gone down before that
+smile in the last six years."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That you're the most consummate coquette I know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that a compliment?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That depends."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Upon what?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Upon the way you use your power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She hesitated a moment.  "Have I ever used it improperly to your
+knowledge?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I dodged the question.  "You admit the power, then?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I admit nothing, except that I do not like to be called a coquette."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I saw she was in earnest here; there was almost a choke in her voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I would not have you otherwise," I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her bead.  "You say that only because you think you hurt me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't you know your bright and happy disposition is a thing beyond
+price?" I argued.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know its price is heavy&mdash;I have paid it to you just now&mdash;I am paying
+it every day of my life."  There were tears in the voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was at a loss what to say.  A man is an awkward comforter at best,
+and when he is guilty of bringing on the trouble, he is sure only to
+make a worse mess of it.  So I held my tongue and we rode a while in
+silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She spoke first.  "I know you are quite justified in your notion of
+me," she said.  "I have given you every reason to call me coquette,
+flirt, or anything of that sort."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I raised my hand in protest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, let me finish," she went on.  "I have only myself to blame for it.
+I was warned against you before I ever saw you; and, so, I tried to
+play your own game from the start."  (I hope I had the grace to blush;
+I think I had.)  "But the other night, somehow, the game got too fast
+for me&mdash;and I&mdash;well, I bungled.  But whether you believe me or not,
+Major Dalberg, I want to say, as a solace to myself, at least, that you
+are the only man who ever kissed my face."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I have smelled considerable powder in active service, and I think I may
+say I have a fair amount of courage, but it had all oozed away before
+the grieving tones and melting eyes of beauty in distress; and in
+another moment I should have cut and run like the rankest coward.  For,
+what would you?  A handsome woman (none I had ever seen, not even the
+Princess, surpassed her) almost in tears beside you&mdash;and all because of
+your own clumsy tongue and heavy sense.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I opened my mouth to speak; but the words did not come.  In truth, my
+brain would not act.  I was vacant of ideas.  And so she waited; while
+our horses walked with heads together, friendly as old stable chums.
+Then I found my tongue.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Lady Helen," I said, "I owe you an apology for what I did that
+night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You owe me nothing," she broke in.  "You know perfectly well that when
+a woman is kissed in that way she has only herself to blame."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But it takes two to make a bargain," I insisted; "and it was I who did
+it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell me," she demanded, "tell me honestly; you didn't imagine I would
+be angry?&mdash;you felt perfectly easy about it at the time?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bungled again, of course: I hesitated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed scornfully.  "You have answered me, Major Dalberg."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said I, "I have not.  You were angry at the instant, though you
+chose to act otherwise.  I thought so, then; I am sure of it now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A feeble smile touched her lips.  "Confess, that you then thought the
+anger only assumed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Didn't you act deliberately to make me think so?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"After you had kissed me," she said, half defiantly, "what mattered it
+if I played it on to the end?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you did it beautifully," I agreed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So beautifully that you intimated I proposed playing it all over again
+with your friend Courtney."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You wrong me there," I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I was annoyed at your going off with him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned and looked me in the eyes.  "You might, at least, spare me
+the discourtesy of flippancy," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I am serious, I assure you," I insisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled incredulously.  "I am so sorry to have bored you, Major
+Dalberg&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But you don't understand&mdash;&mdash;" I protested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Please let us drop the subject," she interrupted.  "Don't you think
+that a pretty view?" and she pointed with her crop to a mite of a lake
+below us, flashing through the trees.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I hope I did not show in my face how willing I was to change the
+subject; and I know I tried to keep it out of my voice.  But I fear I
+grew altogether too enthusiastic over the bit of scenery for,
+presently, Lady Helen remarked dryly:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One would never imagine you a lover of&mdash;nature."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I pulled myself up sharply.  "Are my looks so much against me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't see that looks have anything to do with it.  I mean one does
+not associate such tastes with professional soldiers.  Nature, to them,
+would normally represent only obstacles to overcome or advantages to be
+utilized."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But men do not look at everything through their professional eyes," I
+laughed.  "If they did, every lawyer when he saw you would have but the
+one thought: 'What a glorious plaintiff for a breach of promise case.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose you think that complimentary," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was not so intended."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I trust not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I used it only to illustrate the proposition."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you trying to make me quarrel with you?" she demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then let us avoid the personal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will do anything to preserve the peace," I said&mdash;"and be shown those
+other rides."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The peace depends entirely upon yourself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the rides?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She studied her gloves a bit.  "They depend upon your good behavior
+and&mdash;the future."  And now, something of the old sweetness was in her
+smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then the rides are sure," I said.  "Come, let us give the horses a
+chance to stretch themselves."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We pulled up at the Old Forge; a smithy long deserted and now almost
+hidden beneath vines and undergrowth.  It lay at the crossways of two
+roads&mdash;like a log on a saw-buck&mdash;and our route was around it to the
+left.  Just beside the track a spring bubbled out into a wide rock
+basin.  At the basin a tall bay horse was drinking; and in the saddle,
+with hands clasped around the pommel, sat the Princess Dehra, so deep
+in thought she did not note our approach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was the horse who aroused her by the nervous upward fling of his
+head.  Then she held out her hand to Lady Helen&mdash;and gave me a smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am not the only one, then, who likes the early morning?" she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the cream of the day," said Lady Helen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rather the champagne of the day," the Princess answered.  Then she
+laughed.  "I forgot, Major Dalberg, it isn't well to take champagne
+before breakfast."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I prefer coffee, I admit," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you two going anywhere in particular?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Straight back to town," said Lady Helen; "don't you see Major Dalberg
+wants his breakfast?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And your Ladyship?" the Princess questioned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lady Helen laughed.  "I am very human, too, I fear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, why not breakfast with me at the Summer Palace?" said Dehra.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We shall be delighted," said Lady Helen, without even questioning me
+by a glance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Royal Highness is too gracious," I protested.  "I fear I
+shall&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra raised her crop.  "There is only one shaft, sir; you shall come
+with us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So I went; even while my better judgment bade me turn bridle and gallop
+away.  A man is very helpless with one pretty woman; he is utterly at
+the mercy of two.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently we passed the place where the Princess and I had met six
+years before.  I glanced across and found her eyes on me.  I nodded
+toward the spot where I had removed the stone from the mare's hoof, and
+she nodded back in answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This is a very charming road," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a favorite with Your Highness, is it not?" asked Lady Helen.  "I
+have often met you on it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I affected to be interested in something beside the track.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I believe it is," Dehra answered carelessly.  "It is soft for the
+horse and little travelled and I enjoy the quiet of the forest."  Then
+she deliberately turned and smiled at me.  And Lady Helen saw it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the top of the hill above the Palace the way narrowed and I fell
+behind; and, dismounting, I affected to be fixing something about the
+girth.  I wanted to see the Princess go down that tree-lined way as
+once before I had seen her.  Then they came to the bend; and, leaning
+against my horse's shoulder, I waited.  Would she remember?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly, she turned and waved her hand, exactly as she had done that
+other time; only, this time, it was a beckon to follow, not a farewell.
+I sprang to saddle and dashed ahead, almost fearing to find her
+vanished and it only a dream.  When I rounded the corner, the Princess
+and Lady Helen were turning into the drive that led from the road to
+the Palace; and, once again, Dehra waved me onward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They awaited me at the gate; and, with the guard standing at attention,
+we rode into the grounds.  I noticed that the Princess acknowledged the
+salute with her crop as though it were a sword.  I had returned it with
+my hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your way is the correct one," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But yours is much the prettier," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe that's why I used it," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is sufficient justification," I assured her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Majesty does not think so&mdash;he insists that the Colonel of the Blue
+Guards should conform to the regulations."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I salute my superior officer," I said, and used my crop as she had
+done.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How delightful to be a Colonel," said Lady Helen.  "I would wear the
+uniform all the time&mdash;if it were becoming."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How could it be otherwise?" I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No sarcasm, sir," she said sharply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, Major Dalberg, no sarcasm," Dehra cautioned, "or you will be
+asking, presently, if I won my commission on the field of battle."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I would rather not imagine you on the field of battle," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, you needn't," she laughed.  "It's an infliction of birth.  It
+belongs to the eldest child of the King without regard to sex."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a pity, in your case, the crown does not follow the Colonelcy," I
+thought&mdash;but I did not say it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At one of the private entrances we drew up.  The Princess was out of
+saddle as quickly as myself; but the Lady Helen waited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you don't want to stay I can contrive some excuse," she whispered,
+as I lifted her down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm quite willing to risk a royal breakfast if you are," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Brave man," she mocked, gathering up her skirt; "you wouldn't flinch
+at leading a forlorn hope."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Watch me follow one," I retorted, as I brought up the rear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which one?" she asked over her shoulder; but I did not answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The breakfast was served in a charming little room&mdash;which I assumed to
+be a portion of the Princess' private suite&mdash;and was of the sort to
+provoke more early morning rides along the Old Forge Road.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This may be a bit unconventional," said Dehra, addressing Lady Helen,
+rather than me, "but, if the English Ambassador can stand it, I will
+answer for the King of Valeria."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I'll answer for the American Ambassador," I volunteered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then the others don't matter," Lady Helen laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You surely have relieved us very much, Major Dalberg," the Princess
+added.  "Lady Helen and I have been so concerned for your reputation;
+you risk so much, you know, in breakfasting alone with two unmarried
+young women."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm quite sensible of my danger," I answered, and looked blandly from
+one to the other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Princess kept her eyes on her plate; but Lady Helen gazed at me in
+some surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you're not better behaved, sir, I'll take you away at once," she
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're only putting a premium on a continuance of it," said Dehra.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, I'm not, Your Highness; he hasn't finished his breakfast."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're very wise," the Princess laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lady Helen shook her head.  "You see, I've known Major Dalberg a long
+time," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh! then you had met before the night of the Ball?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at Dehra wonderingly.  Had she forgotten that I myself had
+told her, on the terrace, how long I had known the Radnors.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We were old dinner and cotillon partners in Washington," Lady Helen
+explained.  "He was very kind to me there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That wasn't a very difficult task, was it, Major Dalberg?" Dehra
+asked, fixing her blue eyes on my face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Please, Your Highness&mdash;please," exclaimed Lady Helen, holding up her
+hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think," I replied, "that Lady Helen is, in herself, the best answer
+to Your Highness's question."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then there came a step in the corridor and the King stood in the
+doorway.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good morning, Lady Helen," he said, taking her fingers and raising
+them to his lips in the beautiful old-fashion; "it is a pleasure to see
+you here again."  Then he bent and kissed Dehra on the forehead, and
+turning to me said, extending his hand: "And, Major Dalberg, you are
+very welcome."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick was monarch of a powerful nation, but he could, if he so
+wished, make those about him forget his crown and see only the
+quiet-mannered gentleman.  With a word of excuse to us he drew the
+Princess aside to a window embrasure.  I turned to Lady Helen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So," said I, "you've been here before?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And this is not your first breakfast with Her Highness?" I went on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Another smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, doubtless, you have often met her at the Old Forge?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Once again a smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And were engaged to meet her there this morning?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are too discerning, Major," she said, with a shrug.  "You should
+have been a detective."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite right," I agreed.  "I am always the last to detect a plot or to
+find the criminal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at me through half-closed eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which means?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I gave her back a look in kind.  "Whatever you would."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She toyed with her rings a bit.  "Why should I deliberately bring you
+and the Princess together?" she demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, indeed?" said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are of the Blood:&mdash;the Palace is open to you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I raised my hand sharply in warning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She glanced over my shoulder, toward the window, with a derisive smile.
+"True, the Princess might wonder how I knew."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the explanation would be a trifle difficult," she appended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you think she would ask an explanation?" I inquired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "No; you would have to volunteer it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That would be easy," I said indifferently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely!  Surely! it would be easy to tell the Princess Royal that you
+were so confidential with Lady Helen Radnor, on the terrace at the
+Birthday Ball, that you told her the secret of your cousinship&mdash;try it,
+Major Dalberg, try it&mdash;it will be so easy," and she laughed softly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I rather think I shall," said I, looking her in the eye.  "I prefer
+that she hear it from me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Her mood changed instantly.  "You don't trust me?" she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I leaned forward and said.  "I trust you entirely; surely, you know
+that!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you will believe I had no appointment to meet the Princess?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you wish it," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the King and the Princess returned to the table.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap08"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+VIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE LAWS OF THE DALBERGS
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+"Are you in haste to return?" the King asked Lady Helen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None whatever, sire," she replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you, Major Dalberg?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am at Your Majesty's service," said I, bowing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, if the ladies will excuse you for a short while?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't make it too short, sire," said Lady Helen&mdash;and then the door
+closed and saved me a reply; which, doubtless, was as well, for I have
+not yet thought of a good one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bright girl, that," said the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "embarrassingly bright at times."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Was she in Washington with Radnor?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes; I knew her there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you don't need to be warned."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was silent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She has incapacitated half my military household with lacerated hearts
+or, indirectly, with punctured bodies; there is small difference."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better have only married officers," I suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lord, sir, they are the first victims.  Immunes are what I want."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Like myself, for instance," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He turned and put his hand on my shoulder.  "I've had plenty like you,
+lad," he said kindly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "Then I may not hope for a place at Court?" I asked&mdash;and
+straightway wondered why I had asked it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We had just come to a small door, before which paced a soldier of the
+Guard, and the King made no reply until we were in his private library
+and he had motioned me to a chair and an assortment of pipes and cigars.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was something of that sort that I want to discuss with you, if I
+may," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you may?" I echoed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.  "You are a subject of the United States and a representative
+of its government at my Court."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I had forgotten their significance," I admitted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, with your permission, we can lay aside our officialism and hold a
+family conference."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The idea of my holding a family conference with the King of Valeria!  I
+smiled involuntarily; and Frederick saw it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't you feel quite at home in the family, yet, my lad?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is not Your Majesty's fault if I don't," said I; "but royalty is a
+bit new and strange to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed heartily.  "You are quite too modest, Armand.  You spoke of a
+place at Court; would you accept one?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, sire, you knew I was only jesting!" I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course," said he; "but I'm not.  I am entirely serious."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose," said I, "I'm as ambitious as most men."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A little more so, if you're a good Dalberg," the King interjected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But am I a good Dalberg?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He waved his hand toward a mirror in the wall.  "Use your eyes," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't mean physically," I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am very willing to trust Nature.  She didn't give you old Henry's body
+and then mock it with inferior abilities."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shook my head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Besides," he went on, "I admit I have had a report on you from my
+Ambassador at Washington."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I trust," said I, with a laugh, "it has left me a few shreds of repute."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It didn't hurt you much, my lad."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That was the third time he had called me his "lad."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty then offers me a title and a place at Court?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King smiled.  "Yes," said he; "a high title and a high place."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I pulled on my cigar and tried to think.  But, on every cloud of smoke, I
+seemed to see the Princess; and all my brain knew was the single idea:
+"It will bring me within reach of her."  I got up sharply and paced the
+room, until I threw off the foolish notion and could look at the matter
+in its true proportions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell me, Your Majesty," I said, "if I accept, will I be regarded as a
+legitimate descendant of the House of Dalberg or as of a morganatic
+marriage?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King nodded.  "I had anticipated that would be your first question.
+You will be legitimate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But," said I, "if I understand the canons of royalty, my
+great-grandfather having married one not of royal rank his descendants
+are, as regards the House of Valeria, illegitimate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As a general proposition that is true; but it happens that your case is
+a peculiar exception."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am glad," said I; "otherwise we had reached an end of the matter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That, Major, is one of your American notions," said the King; "there is
+no disgrace in morganatic marriages."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's all a question of national taste," said I; "and you know, sire,
+'<I>de gustibus non</I>'&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He drummed with his fingers a moment on the table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have some unhandy views, possibly," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, you will soon outgrow them," he returned; "only, it may be a trifle
+awkward if you parade them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, maybe, I shall not care to outgrow them." I objected.  "And, then,
+there is another notion&mdash;American, too, doubtless&mdash;which I fear will be a
+final bar."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense, Armand," said the King, a bit sharply.  "What other objection
+can even an American raise?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This, sire," said I: "When Hugo left Dornlitz his estates were
+forfeited, his titles were revoked and his name was stricken from the
+family roll.  How can he now, after a century and a quarter, be
+rehabilitated?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The King, as Head of our House, has full power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I know; his power in the family is limitless, save that he may not
+change the succession to the Crown in favor of a female&mdash;more's the pity.
+But, while Your Majesty may make me a Duke, or even a Prince, yet that
+will not give back to Hugo the rights he was deprived of by his arbitrary
+father."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King smiled indulgently.  "For an American you have a large fund of
+sentiment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is the Dalberg in me, doubtless," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, sir.  I understand that&mdash;because your great-grandfather didn't
+live for one hundred and forty years and so be able now to receive, in
+the flesh, the edict of restoration&mdash;you, his eldest male heir, refuse to
+accept your rights; the rights that come to you through him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, that's not exactly it; it's this: For Your Majesty, now, to restore
+me to the Family Roll, can be done only upon the hypothesis that all of
+Hugo's descendants have been debruised by the bar sinister&mdash;the very act
+of restoration presupposes such disqualification."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You forget I said you were legitimate," said the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By your grace; not by old Henry's," I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, recall that Hugo himself was offered his titles and rights by his
+brother and that he declined them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes; that is just the point," said I: "he declined them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick took a fresh cigar and lit it carefully, blowing the smoke in
+tiny rings to the ceiling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think I understand now," he said.  "You will decline our offer because
+it necessitates the restoration now, of Hugo's descendants, to the Family
+Roll?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed in silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a great pity," he said, sadly.  "Otherwise, if Hugo had, in effect,
+never been disinherited and if the legitimacy of his descendants had been
+specifically preserved by Royal Decree, you would accept our offer?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I&mdash;"or, at least, I would give it serious consideration," I
+added with a laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King turned slowly and, for a space, kept his eyes fixed steadily on
+my face, as though searching there for an answer to something about which
+his mind was undecided.  Have you ever had a monarch or one high in
+authority look at you so?  If you have, you are likely to remember it
+many days.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he arose abruptly and, crossing to a large vault built in a far
+corner, returned with a heavy black box curiously bound with brass and
+inlaid with silver.  Placing it on the table between us, he took from his
+watch chain a small antique key and pushing it, with a queer side-motion,
+into the lock, it opened with a sharp snap, and he threw back the lid.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wonder," said he, as he lifted out a thick leather-covered book with
+heavy metal hinges, "if there are many Americans whom it would be so
+difficult to persuade to accept a royal title?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fancy it would be much the same with all the truly representative old
+American families," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Then, for the credit of America, it's a pity
+Europe does not know some of those same old families; if they are the
+Country's true Nobility."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, but not Nobility on European lines," said I.  "They are the
+<I>worthy</I> descendants of those who founded the Nation; and the proudest
+patent is a commission from King or Colony or from the Continental
+Congress in the Revolution."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King smiled.  "Isn't that every Nation's Nobility&mdash;the descendants of
+the officers who helped their chief to establish a kingdom?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It may be so," I answered; "but the systems are wide apart.  You will
+observe, I said the <I>worthy</I> descendants.  In America it needs manhood as
+well as birthright&mdash;gentle living as well as gentle blood."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"While with us it needs only gentle blood, you mean?" said Frederick,
+good naturedly.  "Well, we shall not argue over the matter; and,
+particularly, since the Dalbergs have no fault to find with their
+representative among the American Nobility; it's rather he who is ashamed
+of his Valerian relatives."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am quite satisfied with the two I've met," I protested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So well, indeed, with one of them that you kissed her instantly," the
+King laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And am glad, now, I did it.  I shall never have another chance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shot a quick glance at me, as he opened the book and began to turn the
+heavy parchment pages, which I could see were illumined in beautiful
+colors and with strange, large lettering.  Presently, these ended and the
+characters seemed to be in ancient script, which, gradually grew more
+modern.  At one of these later pages, the King stopped and addressed me:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have said that, unless Hugo's rights and the Dalberg legitimacy of
+his descendants were preserved, by special Decree, made during Hugo's
+life, you would decline to return to Court."  He paused a moment, then
+went on: "It would almost seem that old Henry had some presentiment of a
+certain stubborn-minded grandchild, for he provided for just such a
+condition as you have made.  This book is the Laws of the House of
+Dalberg.  Listen to what is written touching Hugo, son of Henry the
+Third."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instinctively, I arose and stood at attention.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King read:
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="letter">
+"Section one-hundred twenty-first&mdash;For inasmuch as our second son, Hugo,
+hath, in defiance of our specific prohibition, this day left our Kingdom
+and gone over Sea to the North American Colonies of Great Britain, there
+to join the forces of one, George Washington, who is leading a revolt
+against his lawful sovereign, the King of England, with whom I am at
+peace; It is hereby decreed that the said Hugo shall forfeit all titles
+and emoluments heretofore conferred, and his name is hereby stricken from
+the Family Roll.  From this day he ceaseth to be a Dalberg of Valeria.
+<BR><BR>
+"HENRY III, Rex.
+<BR>
+"Ye 17th October, A.D., 1777."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+Frederick glanced up.  "That was the judgment," said he.  "Listen, now,
+to the pardon:&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="letter">
+"Section one-hundred twenty-fifth&mdash;Whereas, we have learned that our
+second son, Hugo, hath served with much honour in the American Army under
+General Washington, and hath, since the termination of hostilities,
+married into a good family in one of the said American States, called
+Maryland, and hath assumed residence therein; and whereas he hath never
+sought aid from us nor sued for pardon; Now, therefore, in recognition of
+his valour and self-reliance and true Dalberg independence, it is decreed
+that Section one-hundred twenty-one, supra, be annulled; and Hugo's name
+is hereby reinstated on the Family Roll in its proper place, the same as
+though never stricken therefrom.  And it is further decreed that the
+marriage of Hugo and the marriages of his descendants shall be deemed
+valid and lawful, the same as though their respective consorts were of
+the Blood Royal."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+"Is that sufficiently definite, sir?" the King asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is very extraordinary," I said, in wonder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is a bit more," he said, and resumed reading:
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="letter">
+"The titles conferred upon Hugo shall, however, remain in abeyance until
+claimed anew by him or by his right heir male; nor shall the latter be
+eligible to the Crown unless hereinafter specifically decreed so to
+be&mdash;or, in event of a vacancy in the royal dignity without such decree
+having been so made, then, by special Act of the House of Nobles.
+<BR><BR>
+"HENRY III., Rex,
+<BR>
+"Ye 7th September, A.D. 1785."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+The King closed the book.  "That," said he, "is the record," and motioned
+me to sit down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I obeyed mechanically.  Through my head was ringing those last few words
+that made possible the Crown of my ancestors.  Under the Decree I was, de
+jure, the eldest male after the King; it needed only his act to make me
+his successor.  A single line, sealed with his seal, in that big book
+just beside me, and plain Armand Dalberg, Major in the Army of the United
+States of America, would be Heir Presumptive to one of the great Kingdoms
+of Earth.  And Dehra!  I could get no further.  Crown and Kingdom faded
+and I saw only a woman's face.&mdash;&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the King coughed, and I came sharply back to life, and visions fled.
+But, even then, realities seemed almost visions, still.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I turned to the King.  "Will Your Majesty permit me a few days to
+consider the matter?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As many as you wish, my boy," he said kindly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is all so extraordinary.  I am in no condition to look at it with
+even reasonable judgment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think," said he, "I can quite understand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But there is something I can foresee, even now," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King smiled.  "Trouble?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, trouble in plenty."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But if the price be worth it all?" he asked, studying a smoke ring as it
+floated lazily upward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The trouble does not bother me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" said he, "I know that."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, may I ask," said I, "if the Duke of Lotzen knows of these Decrees?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Heir Presumptive is always made acquainted with the Laws of his
+House."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What, think you, then, Sire, would be his attitude in such an anomalous
+situation as would follow my presence in Valeria as Hugo's heir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean, how would he view a rival for the Crown?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, that's a bit broader than I intended," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King laughed.  "There is no need for us to mince words&mdash;the matter is
+perfectly evident.  Under the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to make
+you eligible to the Crown; and that necessarily would displace Lotzen and
+make you Heir Presumptive.  How do you think he would view it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How would any man view it?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But what have Lotzen's views to do with the matter?" Frederick asked
+sharply.  "I am the King; here are the Laws.  What Dalberg would dispute
+them?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, Your Majesty, Lotzen might not be alone in disputing them&mdash;the Army
+and the House of Nobles might join him.  And, assuming that you would
+never intend to displace Lotzen by me, nevertheless, you would be put
+into the embarrassing position of seeming to be coerced by your subjects."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Coerced!  Coerced!" said Frederick, flinging his cigar savagely into the
+grate.  "Do I hear a Dalberg fear that for his King?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nay, Sire," I protested, "I did not say that."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the anger had already passed.  "Nonsense, lad, I understand you," he
+said; "only, I know my Kingdom better than you do&mdash;yet," and he laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I protested again.  "Would it not be wiser for me to consider the
+question only upon the hypothesis that Lotzen shall not be
+displaced&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be a fool, Armand," Frederick cut in.  "Of course, I cannot
+prevent your renouncing all right to the Crown, but it will be most
+displeasing to me and against my express wish."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty is very flattering."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Majesty is very selfish.  Since he has no son, he wants the
+privilege of choosing his successor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So he meant to give me a chance to win the Crown!  I shut my eyes; there
+was too much satisfaction in them.  Yet, I felt almost ashamed.  I had
+sneered so often at Courtney and his suggestions; had called him a fool
+and his words nonsense&mdash;even a short half hour ago I would have done the
+same again.  And now!&mdash;Truly there was something strangely impressive and
+powerfully alluring about that big, brass-bound book, with its Royal
+restitution and honors and the glorious opportunity extended.  Would any
+man&mdash;nay, would any half-man refuse?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I opened my eyes and met the King's kindly smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Did the prospect blind you?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "it did&mdash;maybe my eyes are too weak ever to bear the
+bright light of royalty."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never fear, lad, never fear; they will soon strengthen.  Ask Courtney,
+if you care to make him a confidant.  I am very sure of his advice in the
+matter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So am I," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Any man's would be the same&mdash;your own to one in a similar position."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I could not deny it; but I would make no decision under the present
+influences.  I must have a season of calm thought and careful judgment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King waited a moment.  "Well, take your own good pleasure, Armand,"
+said he; "only, the sooner you come to Court the less time you will
+waste."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course, I saw his meaning.  "I shall ask but one day, at the most."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said he.  "This is Friday&mdash;dine with Dehra and me here to-morrow
+evening.  Come by the private entrance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then we went back to the Princess and Lady Helen.  But what a different
+life had opened to me in the short absence.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap09"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+IX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE DECISION
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+I was sitting alone in the library late that night when Courtney came
+in.  He had been to some function at the French Embassy, from which I
+had begged off, and seemed surprised to see me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Taps are a bit late to-night," he remarked, pouring a measure of
+Scotch and shooting in the soda.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've been thinking," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For Heaven's sake.  Major," he began&mdash;then put down his glass and
+looked at me curiously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You were about to say?" I questioned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He glanced at the clock.  "When a man of your age sits up thinking
+until two in the morning it is either financial trouble or love."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My finances are all right," I volunteered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ergo," said he, and began to sip his Scotch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I'm not&mdash;&mdash;" then I stopped&mdash;"in the marrying class, you know," I
+ended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a pity to have such excellent raw material go to waste," he
+commented, and smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The truth is, Courtney, I waited up for you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He put down his glass again.  "Business?" he inquired, quickly.
+"Anything amiss?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shook my head; "It's nothing amiss diplomatically; but it is business
+in a way; only, it's my personal business.  I want your advice."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at me, sharply, an instant.  "Drive on, old man; I'm all
+attention," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've been at the Summer Palace," I began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And breakfasted with the Princess Royal," I went on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alone!  Be careful, my dear Major," he cautioned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lady Helen Radnor was there; and the King also, for a bit," I
+explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said he; "you are progressing famously."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, it was all accidental."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He smiled broadly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I went for an early morning ride; Lady Helen happened to overtake me;
+we chanced upon the Princess; she asked us to breakfast; and the King
+came in during the meal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney was studying the point of a paper-cutter.  "Very wonderful,
+indeed," he commented.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What; the paper-cutter?" I asked, a trifle impatiently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No; the series of accidents."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They are only preliminary."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Preliminaries are often most important."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not here," said I.  "What I want to consult you about is this: The
+King has asked me to accept the titles of old Hugo, and to take my
+place at Court."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney laid the paper-cutter carefully on the blotter, and drawing
+out his cigarette case, he selected one and slowly lit it.  I knew his
+way and waited patiently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And Lotzen&mdash;and the Crown?" he said presently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you care for the whole story?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, let me have it all," and, settling back in his chair, he closed
+his eyes and prepared to listen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I told him everything of the meeting with the King in his library,
+repeating, as well as I could remember, Frederick's exact language,
+describing his attitude toward me and his evident desire in the matter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is the situation and the problem," I ended, "and the answer is
+due to-morrow, I am to dine at the Summer Palace."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney sat up and began to polish his eye-glasses.  "I assume you
+have made no decision?" he asked presently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If I had," said I, "I would have gone to bed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded and kept on at the eye-glasses.  At last they seemed to suit
+him, and he shoved them into place and lit another cigarette.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It seems to me," he said, at length, "the matter is wholly one of
+personal inclination; with no obligation upon you to decide it upon any
+other basis.  Therefore, the first question is simply this: Which do
+you prefer to be&mdash;an American officer and citizen or a Valerian
+Archduke?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is just what I don't know," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, would it be any easier to answer if I were to add: 'With a
+chance for the Crown'?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That complicates it even more, I think."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at me hard for a moment.  I knew he was thinking of the
+Princess and I shook my bead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better look at it only on the first proposition," he said: "'an
+American officer or an Archduke.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If I accept," said I, "I shall play for all the stakes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course," said he, "but you may lose."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is more than likely I shall."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yet, even if you do, you will still be the Archduke," he argued.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think I would not accept it without the other chances," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yet you would adventure those very chances without being sure of the
+Archdukeship?" he insisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded, and Courtney laughed and fingered his imperial.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have lost several hours of sleep to-night, my dear Major, very
+needlessly," he said.  "You know quite well you will accept Frederick's
+offer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you advise me to accept?" I demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you fancy I would advise you to do anything else?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You say that as my best friend?" I persisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do&mdash;and more; I urge it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think I am growing childish," I said, "I can't make a decision; I'm
+afraid of the Dark, as it were."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney nodded.  "That is precisely why I am able to see the matter
+more clearly than you&mdash;there is no Dark to make me fearful."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And my commission and American citizenship?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney smiled.  "You will have in exchange the Patent of an Archduke
+of Valeria with all its powers and privileges; and, at the very least,
+the commission of General of Brigade in the Valerian Army.  That's a
+trifle more than you are giving up, don't you think?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And then," he went on, "you can throw it all over and come back to us
+if you get tired of your new job."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I may be glad enough to get back to you and my American commission."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bother your commission!  What does a man of your age and position want
+in the hard-working American army?" he exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What does a man of your age and wealth want bothering with diplomacy?"
+I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Because I enjoy the business, I reckon."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just as someone else may enjoy being a Major of Engineers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come," said he; "if that's all that bothers you, I'll engage to put
+you back in our Army any time within two years, if you wish it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are very good, Courtney," I said.  "I fear, however, the War
+Department would not be so gracious."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He snapped his fingers.  "That, for the War Department,'" he said
+contemptuously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Besides, I'm too old to learn a new profession," I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A new profession?" he questioned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.  "The profession of being an Archduke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If I might judge by the Birthday Ball," he laughed, "you will have
+very little to learn."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I'm not bothered about the women; I can manage them all right."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For the love of Heaven: don't say that so loud," he exclaimed.  "One
+of them might hear you, and then&mdash;&mdash;" and he raised his hands
+expressively.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are growing frivolous," said I, "let us go to bed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He tossed his cigarette into the grate.  "Sometimes it is well to sleep
+over a problem," he said.  He poured two measures of liquor.  "Here's
+to a clear mind and a right decision in the morning."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We drank it standing&mdash;and I, at least, with feeling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I cannot say if a good night's rest had anything to do with it, but,
+when I awoke, my mind was made up, and I was ready to give answer to
+the King.  It chanced that Courtney and I met at breakfast&mdash;the
+American customs as to meals prevailed at the Embassy&mdash;and had the room
+to ourselves; possibly, because we were very late and the day was very
+charming.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said he, "I see you've made your decision; which gets it,
+Valeria or America?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Behold a prospective Archduke!" said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He arose and, hand over heart, bowed low.  "I salute Your Royal
+Highness!" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense!" I exclaimed, "don't be ridiculous."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am quite serious.  It's an unusual pleasure to have one worth
+saluting."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I waved the compliment aside.  "If it is to terminate my old
+friendships or bring formality into private intercourse I shall remain
+American," I declared.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The diplomat smiled.  "Don't you see it all rests with yourself?  You
+can be as formal or as familiar as you please."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can revise my List of Friends, so to speak&mdash;drop those I don't care
+for and enter such new ones as I wish?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, that much of the new order will be quite to my liking," said I,
+and turned to my mail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The letters lay face downward, of course, and I opened them in their
+order without bothering to examine the superscription.  Presently, I
+came upon one sealed with a blurred dab of green wax.  Rather curious,
+I turned it over; it was unstamped and was marked: "Personal and
+Important."  I did not know the hand-writing; but, then, Lady Helen
+Radnor's was the only one in all Dornlitz I could have known.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here," said I to Courtney, "is a letter marked 'Personal and
+Important'; what is it; an invitation to contribute to the
+professionally destitute?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"More likely an invitation to some gambling den."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I tossed it over.  "Take a look at it and guess again," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He glanced languidly at the envelope; then picked it up quickly and
+scrutinized it sharply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We both are wrong," he said, and he motioned for the servant to return
+it to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I knew he had recognized the writing and that it called for more
+respect than a careless fling across the table.  I broke the seal and
+drew out the letter.  It bore the Royal Arms over the word "Dornlitz."
+Beneath, it read:
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+"MY DEAR COUSIN:
+<BR><BR>
+"His Majesty has told me of the meeting in the Library this morning.  I
+know I have no right to meddle&mdash;but, won't you please accept and come
+back to your own?  The King wants you.  We shall welcome you with all
+our hearts.  Come, Armand!
+<BR><BR>
+"DEHRA."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+I read it slowly a second time&mdash;and then a third time&mdash;wondering, the
+while, whether I should show it to Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You know who wrote this?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know who wrote the address."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then know the note, also," said I, and read it to him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His face was quite expressionless as I read; but, at the end, he gave
+the faintest nod of approval.  "If that does not hold you to the task,
+you are&mdash;&mdash;" he stopped.  "God, Sir!  You ought to be proud to be her
+cousin," he ended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I spent the balance of the day arranging the affairs of my office, to
+the end that I could instantly sever all official relations with the
+American Government, and, so assume my new rank with the least possible
+embarrassment to Courtney.  He would, doubtless, find it unfortunate
+enough to have, as a Royal Archduke, one who but lately was his
+Military Attaché, and familiar with much of his policy and purpose.  I
+said as much to him that evening, as we rode toward the Summer Palace,
+but he laughed it off.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Embarrass me!" he exclaimed.  "I shall be the most envied of the
+Ambassadors; sought after by all the Court for a word to my friend, the
+new Archduke&mdash;'that may be King hereafter.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't," said I; "it's likely to be quite bad enough without calling on
+Macbeth's Witches."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He leaned over and put his hand on my arm.  "Brace up, old chap," he
+said; "there's no boiling caldron and no witches."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There are troubles of sorts other than those the caldron brewed," I
+remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We turned a bend in the road.  "And witches of other sorts than those
+of Fores' Heath," he laughed.  "Behold!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A hundred yards ahead, rode the Princess and Lady Helen Radnor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here's your opportunity, Courtney," I observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He stared at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To escort Lady Helen back to town." I explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you," he said, and shrugged his shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be a bear," said I; "most men would be glad enough for the
+chance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then we reined aside and saluted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will you join us?" said the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We shall be delighted," I said and swung over beside her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't know what to do with Lady Helen," she whispered hurriedly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Courtney will look after her," I volunteered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she did not seem to hear.  "I came alone to meet you," she went on,
+"and overtook her on the way."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You came to meet me?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She nodded.  "I fear you will think me very forward, but I&mdash;well, I
+wanted to know your decision."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you any doubt of it after the note&mdash;and now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you will accept?" she exclaimed, so loudly I raised my hand in
+warning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I.  "I shall accept&mdash;are you glad?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She plucked at her horse's mane and glanced at me covertly; then she
+turned and smiled&mdash;one of those overpowering smiles that had clung to
+me through the years.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Armand, I am glad.  You are a&mdash;dear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I reined over closer.  "Sometime," I began&mdash;&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She stopped me.  "A dear <I>cousin</I>, I mean," she cut in.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I went back to my side of the road; but I took another smile with me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Lady Helen pressed forward.  "It is growing late, Your Royal
+Highness.  I shall have to turn toward town," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I glanced at Courtney and he nodded that he would ride back with her.
+And the Princess saw and understood; and would not have it so.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, my dear Helen," said she, "you and Mr. Courtney and Major Dalberg
+shall dine with His Majesty and me this evening."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, Your Highness,"&mdash;&mdash;Lady Helen began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But me no buts," said Dehra; "it will be <I>en famille</I>; come along."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney gave me an amused smile and shook his head; but, like a good
+courtier, he made no protest.  For my part, I was very glad for his
+company on this particular evening.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We entered the Park by a narrow gate opening on a bridle path leading
+to one of the private doors of the Palace.  As I lifted the Princess
+down, she whispered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think you should see the King at once."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am in your hands," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The others would scarcely think so," she smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I realized I was holding her as tightly as when I had swung her
+out of saddle.  I stepped back with a quick apology.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, they didn't see it," she said, and ran up the steps.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.  She, too, like Lady Helen, had not forgotten to look about
+her.  Women, it would seem, are rather prudent at such times.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said Courtney, a bit later, when we were alone, "this is a
+queer go, sure enough.  What did the Princess mean by bringing Lady
+Helen and me to a family party, and at such a time?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think she meant to be considerate to you and good to me.  She
+thought, doubtless, we might be glad to be in together, at the death,
+so to speak."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She is very kind," said he; "but, why Lady Helen?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was all a sudden inspiration and she had to take her to get you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose the Princess will explain my presence to the King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, he will be glad to see you; he counted on your aiding him in this
+matter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, it's well I didn't fail him&mdash;or my usefulness as the American
+Ambassador would be ended."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, he would not have held that against you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney smiled rather grimly.  "Presently, my dear Major, you will
+know a bit more of Courts and Monarchs."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the summons came from the King.  Instinctively I held out my hand
+to Courtney.  He gripped it hard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good-bye, old man, and God bless you," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I followed the flunkey.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap10"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+X
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+When I entered the library, Frederick came forward and kissed me on
+both cheeks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Armand," he said, "I am pleased beyond expression."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a pity," thought I, "kissing isn't an expression."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dehra has told you?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.  "But I felt sure of you&mdash;so sure, indeed, I have all these
+ready for you."  He picked up a roll of parchments.  "Here is your
+Patent as an Archduke of Valeria; here are the title deeds to your
+ancestral estates&mdash;they have been held as Crown lands since Hugo's
+time; here is your commission as Colonel of the Red Huzzars; and here
+(and this may please you most) is your commission as Lieutenant-General
+in my Army."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took them mechanically.  There, were the seals, the flowing ribbons,
+the heavy signature of the King.  The sheets rustled and twisted in my
+fingers, curling back and forth like things alive.  I saw them dimly as
+though through a haze; my senses were dulled with sudden wonder and
+emotion.  And, yet, I had thought of it all many times since yesterday;
+Courtney had predicted for me some of these very honors; I, myself, had
+even anticipated them&mdash;indeed, they had been the powerful inducement
+for my decision.  And, now, when I had them in my very hands, put there
+by the King himself, I was simply overpowered.  To some scoffer I may
+seem sentimental or childish; and to him I say: "wait until you are in
+similar circumstances."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently I got my senses and, I trust, thanked His Majesty in proper
+words.  But he, would have none of it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They are yours by right of birth, you have simply come to your own,"
+he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But only by your gracious favor," I protested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, do me a small return: wear the Huzzar uniform this evening."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I must have looked my surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are pretty much of a size and I think mine will fit you," he
+observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is very little you ask, Sire." I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then my valet will squire you," and he rang for the servant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And it was well he did; for I was not used to fancy uniforms, with
+their peculiar fastenings and adornments, and I might have spent the
+entire evening in solving them.  But Adolph attired me with astonishing
+celerity, and then, swinging a cheval glass before me, he inquired:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you satisfied, sir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are a wonderful valet, Adolph," I said, ignoring the mirror.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I did not need it to know that I was clad in scarlet and gold, with a
+black, fur-bound dohlman over one shoulder and a tall black busby on my
+head.  I hung the Eagle of the Cincinnati about my neck and went back
+to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked me over critically and nodded.  "You'll do, my boy," he said.
+Then he raised the Eagle and examined it.  "It is a great Order," he
+said; "one of the greatest in the world, but a Prince of Valeria must
+wear his country's also," and he pinned the Star of the Lion on my
+tunic.  "And now, come, I want to show you to your cousin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the door of the Princess's apartments he waved aside the footman
+and, himself, announced:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Armand!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was so unexpected and sounded so queer, withal, that, for a moment,
+I hesitated; then I took a fresh grip on my busby and followed the
+King.  The next instant, I was bending over the Princess's hand and
+listening to her words of welcome and congratulation.  When I turned to
+Lady Helen she curtsied deeply, even as she would have done for one of
+her own Princes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God save Your Royal Highness," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, as I raised her hand and kissed it, I tried, in vain, to read in
+her eyes whether she meant it or was only mocking me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, we went in to dinner&mdash;and, here, was a surprise for me, also.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was the same room we had breakfasted in the previous day, but now,
+upon the wall, fronting us as we entered, hung a full-length portrait
+of an officer in the uniform of the Red Huzzars.  It was the Great
+Henry; but it could just as well have been myself.  Surely, outwardly,
+at least, he was my <I>alter ego</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Even Courtney's astonishment pierced his heavy equanimity; and Lady
+Helen stopped sharply and gazed at the painting and, then, at me, and,
+then, at the painting, again, in silent wonder.  For although they both
+knew, generally, of the resemblance, it needed the uniform to bring it
+out in full effect.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty has given us a series of surprises to-night," said
+Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is surely wonderful&mdash;almost beyond belief," said Lady Helen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, you know something of my sensations when I first met him," said
+Frederick, "though, then, I had not the benefit of the Huzzar attire."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you, Princess?" asked Lady Helen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King laughed aloud; Courtney became absorbed in the picture; I
+tugged at my sword-knot&mdash;we all were thinking of the kiss before the
+Ball.  But Dehra, naturally, thought of the meeting in the forest six
+years before.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was a long time ago, but I think I did notice the resemblance in a
+casual way," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King stared at her in surprise; Courtney smiled slightly and
+glanced at me, and Lady Helen's eyes shot from Dehra to me and back
+again in a vain attempt to understand.  Frederick, however, was on the
+point of asking an explanation when the Princess gave him a glance, and
+he instantly dropped the matter and motioned us to our seats.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mine was on Dehra's right; Courtney's on her left.  Presently, I heard
+the King say to Lady Helen:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, confess you are curious how the American military attaché
+becomes a Valerian Archduke?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, through Dehra's talk, I detected the laughing answer, pitched high
+enough to reach me:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'Curious' is quite too mild a word, Sire."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, as the King began the story, she glanced over at me and I nodded
+my thanks.  It would have been a bit awkward, just then, if she had
+shown she already knew my history.  To-morrow it mattered not to me if
+it were known the Kingdom over; aye, and farther, too.  But to-morrow
+was the future; to-night was mine.  I was in favor; a King across the
+table; a beautiful woman beside me.  What more could any man wish?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, when Dehra whispered: "Do you know, Armand, you are very handsome
+to-night?" I tossed all discretion overboard and made violent love to
+her before them all.  Nor heeded Courtney's warning looks, nor Lady
+Helen's curious glances.  It was Dehra, herself, who brought me up
+sharply, after a space.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am afraid, Armand," said she, "if you flirt so strenuously with me
+to-night, you will have no cards left for the balance of our game."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Our game?" I echoed blankly, forgetting for the moment the compact of
+the Ball.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "You see, you play it better than I ever can.  I don't
+even know enough to forget it is a game."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I turned and looked her in the eyes.  "Then, in all you have done
+lately, you have been only playing the game?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that quite a fair question?" she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;under the circumstances."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I thought you called it a game?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I did."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, yet, you ask me to spread my cards on the table?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not exactly; I ask to see only the tricks that are turned," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head.  "It's all the same&mdash;we must play fair."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Was it quite fair to write me that note unless you were sincere?" I
+asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked me straight.  "Tell me," she demanded, "tell me, on your
+honor; had you not already made decision when my note reached you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I hesitated.  "It clinched the matter," I said, lamely.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Princess smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, had the decision been otherwise, the note would have reversed
+it," I added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The smile broadened.  "But, since the note was in no way responsible,
+nor even persuasive, its sincerity does not matter," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, if I were to change my mind?" I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She glanced at my uniform and at the gleaming Star of the Lion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They can be removed," I said; "they are only borrowed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, Your Royal Highness," said she, "they cannot be removed&mdash;not in
+the way you mean; your word is passed to your King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Your King!  It was the first reminder I was no longer a free American,
+and it gave me something of a shock.  And Dehra understood, and showed
+no mercy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, as an Archduke of Valeria, and almost the Heir Presumptive, you
+must know what it means to give your word to your King," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I trust I know what it means to give my word to anyone," I returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, don't get on your dignity, Armand," she laughed.  "You understand
+me perfectly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I raised my hands in protest.  "Understand you perfectly!" I exclaimed.
+"I wish I understood you even a little."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're not as nice as you were during the first part of the dinner."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Did you ever hear the slang Americanism 'there are others'?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She took a cigarette and lighted it&mdash;and passed it to me; then lighted
+another for herself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What was it you asked about that note?" she said, and gave me one of
+those subduing smiles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I dropped my hand below the table and found her fingers.  "You meant
+it, Dehra; truly?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sue released her fingers and placed both hands on the cloth.  "Of
+course I meant it&mdash;when I wrote it," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's quite as much as I've any right to expect," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's the proper frame of mind, cousin," said she.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the sort you prefer in your admirers?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She raised her eyebrows&mdash;"In my relatives&mdash;undoubtedly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come," said I, "we must not quarrel."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would be the regular thing; I fight with all my relatives."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A footman handed the King a card, received a message, and withdrew.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then let me prove an exception," I cut in.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am quite willing; squabbles are so stupid."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Speaking of cousins; have you quarrelled with Lotzen?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Scores of times; we are in the distant bowing stage now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said I.  "I trust it will continue indefinitely."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We always make up and get very chummy after he has been absent for any
+time," she returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wonder how he will view his new cousin?" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Princess laughed.  "With considerable surprise, I fancy;
+particularly if he meet you in that uniform in a dimly-lighted corridor
+of the palace, at night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have the Dalbergs no ghost such as is appurtenant to all
+well-regulated royal families?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alas!  We have not; but you could give us a fine one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, I won't," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And yet, who knows?" she reflected with sudden seriousness; "your very
+resemblance to yonder picture may, sometime, be of service to you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, I shall not hesitate to use it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At any rate, I hope I shall be by when my cousin of Lotzen gets his
+first look at you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As the family spectre or <I>in propria persona</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As both; but <I>in persona</I>, first," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then, the corridor door swung back, and a voice announced:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Royal Highness, the Duke of Lotzen!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Princess caught her breath, in surprise, and glanced quickly at the
+King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Does His Highness always grant your wishes so promptly?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she did not hear me.  She was watching the Duke as he advanced to
+the King and bent knee.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And I, too, watched him; and with interest&mdash;this man, with whom I
+proposed to make a contest for the throne.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He had the grace of one reared in Courts and the ease of one born to
+high command.  He made me feel awkward even as I sat.  His height was
+not above the medium, but his figure was so well proportioned he seemed
+almost my own size&mdash;and, yet, I knew I would top him by three inches.
+He wore the full dress uniform of a Lieutenant-General of Cavalry; and,
+with his black hair and moustache and well-cut face, he looked, in
+every line, the dashing beau sabreur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he had greeted the King, and spoken to Lady Helen, he turned and,
+with eyes on Dehra, came toward us.  Courtney and I arose and stepped
+back.  The Princess swung around in her chair and gave him her hand,
+but without a word of welcome&mdash;and he spoke none.  Then, as he unbent,
+his eyes rested on me for the first time.
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-124"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG SRC="images/img-124.jpg" ALT="Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first time." BORDER="2" WIDTH="418" HEIGHT="632">
+<H4>
+[Illustration: Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first time.]
+</H4>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+I have never ceased to admire the self-control Lotzen showed then.  He
+gave me an instant's glance; flung another at the portrait behind me;
+and, then, clicking his heels sharply together, he raised his hand in
+salute&mdash;but, whether to me or to the portrait, I could not know.  My
+own hand went up with his and remained a moment longer; for I was the
+junior in actual rank, though he could not know it, for my present
+uniform was no guide.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Since no one has presented the Colonel of the Red Huzzars, will he not
+do the service for himself?" he said, very courteously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I cry your pardon, gentlemen," exclaimed the King; "and I herewith
+present, to the Duke of Lotzen, his cousin, the Grand Duke Armand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen extended his hand in frank greeting.  "You are a Dalberg&mdash;any
+one could see&mdash;but whence?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"From America," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He knew his family records well.  "Then, you are the heir of Hugo," he
+said instantly.  "And you come in good time, cousin; there have been
+few enough Dalbergs in Valeria this generation."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your cousin will appreciate your welcome," said the King, before I
+could make reply.  Then he raised his glass.  "I give you: The New
+Archduke," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed low; yet, not so low, but that I caught the smile Dehra gave
+me, over her glass, and the sharp glance with which Lotzen noted it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is he friend or foe?" I wondered&mdash;though the answer was evident.
+Plainly, he was no fool and, therefore, why should he be my friend?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And such was the view of another; for, a bit later, as I swung the Lady
+Helen into saddle, she whispered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lotzen will bear watching."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall need friends," I answered, slowly, arranging her skirt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sometimes, a woman's wit is helpful."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I may count on yours?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely&mdash;mine, and another's, too, I fancy," she smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she and Courtney rode away&mdash;but halted almost instantly, and he
+called back to me to stop at the Embassy on the morrow and sign some
+papers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For, of course, now, I could not live, even for a night, at the
+American Legation; and, already, a suite had been prepared for me in
+the Palace.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The four of us went to the King's library; and, after a while, Lotzen
+withdrew on the plea of an official appointment.  But His Majesty and
+the Princess and I sat until late in the night discussing the <I>modus
+vivendi</I> for me.  Many matters were determined by them; and, in all, I
+acquiesced instantly; for they knew what was proper and I did not.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was decided that, for the present, I was to reside in the Palace.  I
+did not care for a separate establishment until I had more experience
+in the dignities of an Archduke.  Neither did I desire, now, a full
+military staff; and so I was to have only two aides&mdash;whom Frederick
+selected after much thought.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The senior was Colonel Bernheim&mdash;who had brought the invitation to the
+Birthday Ball, and the commands of the Princess to dance with her that
+night.  His tour of duty with the Royal Aides was about ended, and,
+being an officer of much experience in the Court, he would be able to
+keep me straight, so to speak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The other aide was a Major Moore&mdash;an Irish soldier of fortune, who had
+been in the Valerian Army some ten years, and, by his efficiency, had
+become attached to the General Staff.  He was of noble birth&mdash;the
+younger son of a younger son of an Irish Earl&mdash;and "as an Irishman is
+more than half an American he will, doubtless, be congenial," the King
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had liked Bernheim's manner, and I was willing to risk an Irishman's
+faith to his chief.  I asked, only, whether either was an intimate of
+the Duke of Lotzen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is a perfectly reasonable question," said Frederick instantly.
+"I know that Bernheim has never liked the Heir Presumptive and that
+Moore is not a favorite with the Prince."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, I am quite content with them," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you may also feel content," said he, "in that I appreciate your
+position here and its difficulties, and I shall stand behind you.  But
+a King's favorite, even though of the Royal Family, is rarely popular,
+so I shall obtrude no more than is necessary to show you have my good
+will.  When you want more, ask for it."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap11"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE FATALITY OF MOONLIGHT
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+The following morning I was formally presented to the Royal Council and
+took my place at the Board, on the left of the King, the Duke of Lotzen
+being on his right.  His Majesty stated briefly my descent, the law of
+the case as laid down by the Great Henry, and that I had accepted a
+restitution of the rights and privileges due to the eldest male heir of
+Hugo.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I ask your consideration for him, my Lords, the same as though he were
+our own son," he ended.  "I will answer for him&mdash;he is a Dalberg."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At this there was applause and the members of the Council pressed
+forward and welcomed me as an Archduke of the Kingdom, taking my hand
+and bending knee before me.  It seemed a bit queer, but I got through
+it satisfactorily to myself&mdash;particularly so since there was no kissing
+in it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the Council began its business and the Prime Minister, Count
+Epping, read a tentative proposition of peace, which, he said, he
+understood had already been practically accepted by Titia.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It provided that Murdol should be permitted to determine for itself, by
+the vote of its citizens, whether it would remain a province of Valeria
+or become, once more, a part of Titia.  In the latter event, Titia was
+to pay Valeria the value of all the public buildings in Murdol erected
+or rebuilt by Valeria, and, further, to reimburse Valeria for her war
+expenses.  But, if Murdol voted to remain with Valeria, then, Titia was
+to pay all the cost of the war.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I need hardly say to the Council," the Prime Minister remarked, "that,
+thus far, the terms are entirely satisfactory to His Majesty; but there
+is another detail, suggested by our friend, the intermediary, which is
+not so agreeable.  It is only a suggestion, but, I fear, has much to do
+with Titia's acquiescence.  It is that the peace be further cemented by
+a marriage between the Royal Families of Valeria and Titia."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the Count sat down, and all faces were turned toward the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick ran his eyes slowly around the table.  I did the like.  There
+were but three faces which did not show favor for the marriage&mdash;and, of
+course, the three were the King's, Lotzen's, and mine.  At least, I
+assume mine evidenced my repugnance.  I am quite sure I felt it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is altogether useless, my Lords, for us to discuss the marriage
+matter," said Frederick.  "I have given my word to Her Royal Highness
+that she shall not be coerced in her choice of a husband, and it shall
+not be broken.  So long as she weds within her circle, she may marry
+when and where and whom she will.  Save for that restriction, Valeria
+will make peace with Titia upon the terms specified.  We refused the
+marriage before the war began; we refuse it now; we would refuse it
+were Casimir's guns thundering without the walls."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They were good courtiers&mdash;these men of the Council&mdash;for they sprang to
+their feet and cheered enthusiastically.  And so the matter ended, for
+the time.  Altogether, I was well pleased with the doings of the
+morning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so was Courtney, when I told him of it, over a whiskey and soda in
+his library, later in the day.  Possibly, I violated the proprieties in
+disclosing the business of the Royal Council, but I knew Courtney
+understood I was talking to my friend and not to the Ambassador.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wish," said I, "you would give me your opinion of Lotzen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney smiled.  "He is clever&mdash;very clever," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Even I could guess that after last evening," I cut in.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He is ambitious, rather unscrupulous, and wholly dangerous," Courtney
+continued.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A pleasant sort of rival," I commented.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, finally, he is infatuated with the Princess Royal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That may be a fatal weakness," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Truly, you seem to have gained wisdom overnight&mdash;Your Highness," said
+he.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And shall need many nights and much, very much, wisdom, I fear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.  "That you will&mdash;particularly, if you make a confidant of
+women."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I frowned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't imagine Lady Helen told me," Courtney explained.  "I chanced to
+notice her greeting, last night, to the Colonel of the Red Huzzars."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are too observant," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A bit more so, at that moment, than the Princess, I think."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I trust so," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You made some rather fast going last night, my friend," he observed.
+"Now, it's none of my affair&mdash;only&mdash;isn't it a bit early for top speed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is exactly what the Princess suggested," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He burst into an amused laugh.  "Go it, my boy!" he exclaimed, "you are
+doing delightfully&mdash;and so is the Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Particularly the Princess," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And it's more than likely I am riding for a fall."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "It's a fast race over a strange
+course&mdash;and they will ride you down if they can."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know it," said I, "but I fancy I shall rather enjoy the
+excitement&mdash;and Bernheim and Moore can be depended on, I think."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Undoubtedly&mdash;you may be sure the King chose them advisedly.  Consult
+them in everything&mdash;but, on particular occasions, consult&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll come to you," I filled in.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you may always count on my aid&mdash;but, I was about to say, upon
+particular occasions consult the Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said I.  "I shall riot in particular occasions."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"P. V." he amended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!  I'm her cousin," I laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And so is Lotzen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damn Lotzen," said I, heartily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's well enough as far as it goes, but it's the King's damn you
+want."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fear he does not swear in English," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, it's up to you to teach him&mdash;and the quickest method is to win
+the Princess.  Marry her and you get the Crown for a bridal present."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It may be the surest method; I doubt if it's the quickest," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, of course, my dear fellow," he said banteringly, "you know the
+lady better than I do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I doubt it," said I, "for I think I don't know her even a little bit."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good&mdash;you are gathering wisdom rapidly; indeed, you are growing almost
+over-wise."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have often wondered how you got your amazing knowledge of women," I
+observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He lit a cigarette and sent a cloud of smoke between us.  "It was born
+in me, I think.  At any rate, I've proved it&mdash;by letting them alone.
+Yet," he went on musingly, "were I a Royal Duke and cousin to the
+Princess of Valeria, I am not so sure&mdash;no, I am not so sure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at him a bit curiously.  Surely, it could not be that
+Courtney&mdash;the indifferent&mdash;the <I>blasé</I>&mdash;envied me; that he would care
+to be other than he was; or that even a beautiful woman could stir his
+blood.  Then the cloud began to thin out, and he must have noticed my
+surprise, for he laughed and waved his hand before his face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm like the fellow in the song," said he, "I've been 'seeing pictures
+in the smoke.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you liked the pictures?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very much, my boy, very much indeed&mdash;in smoke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Someone else is improving, also," said I.  "Time was when you could
+not have seen such pictures."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shook his head.  "It's only a sign of age.  I'm becoming a dreamer;
+soon you will find me sitting in the sun."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You need a wife, Courtney," I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed.  "No&mdash;I need a drink, a good stiff drink.  I'm getting old,
+and lonely for the tried friends I've lost; you are the last deserter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense," I began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, it's true as gospel," he went on.  "Our paths separated forever at
+the Palace, last night.  You are a Royal Highness and the possible heir
+to the Throne.  And I am an elderly American diplomat&mdash;here, to-day;
+gone to-morrow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You need several good stiff drinks," I interrupted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He waved aside my banter.  "I give you a toast," he went on, pouring a
+measure for each of us.  "The Princess Dehra&mdash;and another like her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And may you find that other," I cried.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then we drained our glasses and flung them into the grate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was tremendously astonished at this revelation of Courtney's
+feelings&mdash;feelings which I had never even suspected.  And, I fear, I
+had the bad taste to stare at him.  For he turned abruptly and walked
+to the window, and stood, for a moment, with his back to me.  I drew on
+my gloves and hitched up my sword (I was wearing the undress of a
+general officer) and waited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, you understood, last night, that there were no papers for
+you to sign," he said, as he came slowly back to the table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely," I laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What I wanted was the opportunity to tell you that our secret service
+will be at your command, and that I have given instructions to report
+to me anything that may be of use to you&mdash;particularly, touching Lotzen
+and his intimates."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are more than good, old chap," I said, and we shook hands
+hard&mdash;for the toast was still in mind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Present my compliments to Her Highness," he called after me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I went back to the doorway.  "And give mine to The Other Like Her, when
+she comes," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She will never come, Armand; she will never come.  I am just an old
+fool."  Then he laughed.  "Your love-making at dinner tables didn't use
+to affect me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You never followed any of them by a moonlight ride with a pretty
+girl," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At least, never with one as pretty as Lady Helen," he amended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was getting surprises with a vengeance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is it possible you have just discovered she is pretty?" I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He smiled frankly.  "No&mdash;but it may be I've just discovered how pretty."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And she's more than pretty," said I, "she's thoroughbred."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He studied me for a moment.  "I have often wondered&mdash;and now I wonder
+more than ever&mdash;why you&mdash;why you never&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;  You understand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.  "Yes," said I, "I understand and I rather reckon I would, if
+it had not been that, a year before I ever saw the Lady Helen, I had
+ridden with the Princess Dehra, alone, in the Palace forest, for an
+hour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last, I saw Courtney's cold face show genuine surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you made no effort then to prove your cousinship?" he exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You let her go; and&mdash;and you a Dalberg and a soldier!  You don't
+deserve her&mdash;she ought to go to Lotzen&mdash;to Casimir&mdash;to any one but you.
+Why, you drivelling idiot, do you realize that, but for the chance of
+my having lugged&mdash;yes, that's the word, lugged you here you would now
+be doing childish problems in cement and stone in some miserable little
+Army department headquarters over in America?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was delicious to see Courtney roused, once in his life.  Choking
+back my laugh, I answered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have not put it half strongly enough.  You may be a fool, as you
+say&mdash;there's no doubt that I've been a colossal one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You ought to be in an asylum for weak-minded instead of in that
+uniform," he ejaculated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, thanks to you, I'm in the uniform and not in the asylum," I
+answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pray God you have sense enough, now, to keep in the one and out of the
+other," he retorted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Amen, Courtney, old man," said I, "Amen!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I sprang away and into saddle&mdash;waving my hand to him as he came
+hastily to the door to stay me.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap12"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+LEARNING MY TRADE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+The next month was the busiest of my life&mdash;not excepting those at the
+Point.  I was learning to be Royal, and I was starting a generation and
+a half behind time.  My hardest task was in meeting the Nobility.  I
+had been bred a soldier and had despised the politician&mdash;secretly,
+however, as is necessary for the Army officer in America; but no rural
+candidate at a Fall election ever worked harder to ingratiate himself
+with the people and to secure their votes, than did I to win favor with
+the Lords and high officers of State.  And, with it all, I could feel
+no assurance of success&mdash;for they were courtiers, and I had not yet
+learned to read behind their masks; though, here, Bernheim was
+invaluable.  Indeed, he was a wonder.  I have yet to find him miss his
+guess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There were constant Cabinet meetings to attend, at which my views were
+expected; and this entailed a study of conditions and policies
+absolutely new to me.  Then, I was delegated frequently by the King to
+represent him on occasions of ceremony; and, for them, I needed careful
+coaching.  In fact, there were a thousand matters which occupied me to
+exhaustion.  And, through it all, I was trying to get familiar with the
+organization and administration and methods of the Valerian Army, so as
+to be fitted to discharge the duties of my high rank.  I confess this
+was my most congenial labor.  If I might have been simply a soldier
+Archduke, I think I would have been entirely satisfied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a few weeks I had taken up my residence in the Epsau Palace&mdash;one
+of my recent inheritances&mdash;and there maintained my own Archducal Court.
+It was a bit hard for me to take myself seriously and to accept calmly
+the obsequious deference accorded me by everyone.  I fear I smiled many
+times when I should have looked royally indifferent; and was royally
+indifferent when I should have smiled.  I know there were scores of
+instances when I felt like kicking some of the infernally omnipresent
+flunkeys down the stairs.  But I did not; for I knew that the poor
+devils were doing only their particular duty in the manner particularly
+proper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yet, there were compensations, so many and so satisfying, I never, for
+a moment, considered a return to my former estate.  I was&mdash;I admit
+it&mdash;enamored of my rank and power; and, it may be, even of that very
+obsequiousness and flattery which I thought I despised.  I know there
+was a supreme satisfaction when I passed through the saluting crowds in
+the Alta Avenue.  It became almost elation when I rode upon the parade
+ground to take the Review and the March By.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During this month, I had seen the Duke of Lotzen very frequently.  I
+had sat beside him at the Council table; I had dined with him formally
+as the new Archduke, and informally as his cousin.  And, on my part, I
+had repaid his courtesies in kind.  He had been thoughtful and
+considerate to me to an exceptional degree, but, at the same time,
+without undue effusiveness.  In a word, he had treated me with every
+possible attention our rank and consanguinity demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Even Courtney could find nothing to criticise in Lotzen's behavior; nor
+had his secret agents been able to detect anything <I>sub rosa</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"However, all this proves nothing one way or the other," he remarked
+one day, as we sat in my inner library.  "If he intend the worst sort
+of harm to you he would begin just as he has."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose His Majesty knows of Lotzen's courtesies to you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And is immensely gratified.  Bernheim tells me the Duke never was in
+higher favor than at this moment," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly&mdash;and, therefore, the less likely a change in the Law of
+Succession.  He uses you to play against you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I am helpless to prevent it," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I may not refuse his civilities nor appear to question their intent."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heaven forfend!" Courtney exclaimed, with lifted hands.  "Your counter
+attack is at the King, too.  Keep him interested in you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have, I think.  I am the new Military Governor of Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wonderful, Major!&mdash;Your Royal Highness, I mean."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Drop the R. H., please," I said; "stick to Armand or Major."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you, I shall, in private; it's handier.  And when were you
+appointed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will be in the Gazette this evening.  His Majesty offered it to me
+this morning."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Does Lotzen know it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think not; it was due to a sudden shifting of Corps Commanders made
+yesterday."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I would like a view of the Duke's private countenance when he hears it
+first," Courtney laughed.  "It's the most desirable post in the Army;
+even preferable to Chief of Staff.  It makes you master in the Capital
+and its Military District, a temporary Field Marshal, and answerable to
+none but the King himself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's just that which makes me question the expediency of my accepting
+the detail," said I.  "It's a post to reward long service and soldierly
+merit.  I have not the former and have had no chance to prove the
+latter.  I fear it will be bad for discipline and worse for my
+popularity."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney laughed.  "That might be true of the American Army&mdash;it's
+nonsense in a Monarchy.  You forget you are of the Blood Royal&mdash;an
+Archduke&mdash;of mature years&mdash;with some experience in actual war&mdash;and, for
+all the Army and Court know, in line for the Crown.  You are,
+therefore, born to command.  There can be no jealousies against you.
+On the contrary, it will bring you followers.  None but Lotzen and his
+circle will resent it, and they, already, are your enemies.  The
+Governorship will make them no more so.  Instead, it will keep them
+careful; for it will give you immense power to detect and foil their
+plots."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Plots!" I exclaimed.  "Do you fancy Lotzen would resort to murder?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at present&mdash;not until everything else has failed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You seem very sure," I remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Precisely that.  You don't seem to realize that you have likely both
+lost him his desired wife and jeopardized his succession to the Throne.
+He might submit to losing the Princess, but the Crown, never.  He will
+eliminate you, by soft methods if he can, by violent ones, if need be.
+Believe me, Major, I know the ways of Courts a little better than you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took a turn up and down the room.  "I don't know that Lotzen isn't
+justified in using every means to defeat me.  I am a robber&mdash;a
+highwayman, if you please.  I am, this instant, holding him up and
+trying to deprive him of his dearest inheritance.  And I'm doing it
+with calm deliberation, while, ostensibly, I'm his friend.  If I
+attempt to steal his watch he would be justified in shooting me on the
+spot&mdash;why shouldn't he do the same when I try to filch from him the
+Valerian Crown?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No reason in the world, my dear Major, except that to steal a watch is
+a vulgar crime&mdash;but to plot for a throne is the privilege of Princes.
+And Princes do not shoot their rivals."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With their own hands," I added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney bowed low.  "Your Highness has it exactly," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders.  "You flatter me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I speak only in general terms; they do not apply to you, my dear
+Major.  You are not plotting to dethrone a King; you are simply trying,
+frankly and openly, to recover what is yours by birthright.  Lotzen's
+real claim to the Crown is, in justice, subordinate to yours&mdash;and he
+knows it&mdash;and so does the King, or he would not have put you on
+probation, so to speak, with the implied promise to give you back your
+own again, if you prove worthy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's one way to look at it," said I, "and I reckon I shall have to
+accept it.  In fact, I'm remitted to it or to chucking the whole thing
+overboard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney smiled approvingly.  "That's the reasonable point of view.
+Now, stick to it, and give Lotzen no quarter&mdash;you may be sure he will
+give you none."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall countenance no violence," I insisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One is permitted to repel force by force."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall not hesitate to do that, you may be sure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good!" said he.  "Now we understand the situation and each other; and
+I can assist you more effectively."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall advise you the moment anything new develops," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And remember, Major, to either you or Lotzen the Princess means the
+Crown.  Frederick will be only too glad to pass it so to his own
+descendants."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's the truth," said I.  "But I reckon the Princess doesn't need
+the Crown to get Lotzen or me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you realize how lucky it is, under the circumstances, that you are
+unmarried?" Courtney inquired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rather&mdash;only, if I had chanced to be married, I would still be your
+Military Attaché.  Frederick would never have given me the chance to be
+an Archduke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At least, it's sure he would never have given you a chance to be a
+King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the American newspapers would have missed a great news item," I
+added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I never quite appreciated what a wonder you were until they told me,"
+he laughed.  "You seem to possess a marvellous assortment of
+talents&mdash;and, as for bravery, they have had you leading every charge in
+the Spanish War."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's all very tiresome," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's one of the penalties of Royalty&mdash;to be always in the limelight
+and never in the shadow," he returned.  "How does it feel?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come around to-night to the Royal Box at the Opera and get into the
+glare, a bit," I said.  "I am to take the King's place and escort the
+Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that a command?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hang it all, Courtney&mdash;&mdash;" I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Because, if it isn't," he went on, "I shall have to decline.  I'm
+dining with the Radnors and going on to the Opera with them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at him expectantly for a moment, giving him an opening to
+mention Lady Helen; but he only smiled and lit another cigarette.  I
+understood he declined the opening.  Indeed, he had never referred to
+Lady Helen since that first surprising time.  But, if the gossip of the
+Diplomatic set, which, of course, reached the Court promptly, were at
+all reliable, another International marriage was not improbable.  I
+admit I was a bit curious as to the matter&mdash;and here I saw my
+opportunity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you will permit," said I, "I'll send an Aide to invite the Radnors
+and you to the Royal Box during the last act, and then, later, to be my
+guests at supper on the Hanging Garden."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're very kind, old man," said he; "and as for old Radnor you will
+endanger his life&mdash;he will just about explode with importance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I trust not," said I; "I like Lord Radnor&mdash;and then explosions are
+disconcerting at the Opera or a supper."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had good reason, later, to remember this banter&mdash;for there was an
+explosion at the supper that night that was more than disconcerting;
+but Lord Radnor was in no way responsible.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap13"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+IN THE ROYAL BOX
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+When the Princess and I entered the Royal Box that night the applause
+was instant and enthusiastic.  I kept a bit in the rear; the greeting
+was for her.  And she smiled that conquering smile of hers that went
+straight to every individual in the audience as a personal
+acknowledgment.  I had seen it frequently in the past month; yet, every
+time, to marvel only the more.  Small wonder, indeed, that she was the
+toast of the Nation and the pride of the King.  A million pities the
+Salic Law barred her from the succession.  What a Queen Regnant she
+would make!  Aye, what a Queen Consort she would be!  What a wife!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the last high note of the National Air blared out and the
+Princess, turning quickly, caught my look and straightway read my
+thoughts.  A sudden flush swept over her face and neck and she dropped
+her eyes.  Silently I placed a chair for her; as she took it, her bare
+arm rested against my hand.  The effect on me, in the stress of my
+feelings at that moment, is indescribable.  I know I gasped&mdash;and my
+throat got hot and my heart pounded in sharp pain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I did not withdraw my hand&mdash;nor did the Princess remove her arm.
+Its soft, warm flesh pressed against my fingers&mdash;the perfume of her
+hair enveloped my face&mdash;the beat of her bosom was just below me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A fierce impulse seized me to take her in my arms&mdash;there, before them
+all, the Court and the Capital.  Reason told me to step back.  Yet I
+could not.  Instead, I gripped the chair fiercely, and, by that very
+act, pushed my fingers only more closely against her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Was I dreaming&mdash;or did I feel an answering pressure, not once but twice
+repeated.  I was sure of it.  I bent forward.  Quickly she looked up at
+me with eyes half closed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How cold your hand is, Armand," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Does it chill you, dear?" I whispered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "It never could do that," she answered.  "But won't you
+sit beside me, now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I suppose so," I said reluctantly.  "Only, I'm nearer you as I
+am."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I took my chair, drawing it a trifle in the rear, so, being
+obliged to lean forward, I would be closer to her and could speak
+softly in her ear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're very bold, Armand; you are always doing things so publicly,"
+she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was an accident&mdash;at first."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And afterward, sir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Afterward, I was powerless."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My arm would not believe you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Powerless to remove my hand, I mean."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Powerlessness, with you, has queer manifestations," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;sometimes it's passive and sometimes active."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was active, I suppose, that day in the King's cabinet, when you
+gave me that cousinly kiss."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If we were not so public I would&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at me with the most daring invitation.  "It is because we
+are so public that you are permitted to sit so near."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, why blame me if I take the only opportunities you give me?" I
+asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She half closed her eyes and looked at me, side-long, through her
+lashes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have I ever blamed you?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dehra," said I, "if you look at me like that I shall kiss you now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She closed her eyes a trifle more.  "Where, Armand?" she said.  "You
+have been kissing my hair every time I let it touch your lips."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let it touch them again, then," I whispered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned her head sharply from me and, then, slowly back again; and
+her perfumed tresses, dressed low on her neck, brushed full and hard
+across my face, from cheek to cheek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There, cousin," said she; "am I not good?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not entirely, when you call me 'cousin,'" I said, looking her in the
+eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness, then," she smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Worse still."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Marshal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No better."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Marshal would please most men," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is only one name from you will please me, now," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She quite closed her eyes.  "You are an autocrat to-night, Armand," she
+murmured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm your lover, sweetheart; your lover to-night and always," I said
+impetuously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She opened her eyes wide and looked into mine with that calm, deep
+search which only a good woman has power to use.  I knew, and trembling
+waited.  What she saw in my eyes then she would see there always&mdash;in
+storm, in sunshine&mdash;in youth and in old age.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, suddenly, her glance dropped and a blush stole slowly across her
+cheek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To me, dearest," she said softly, "you have been a lover since that
+day in the forest when you were only Captain Smith."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed my head.  "You Princess of women," I said.  "How near I was to
+losing you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned and deliberately let her hair rest on my face a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There, dear," said she, "is my first kiss to you.  I shall have to
+wait a bit for yours to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you really want my kiss, Dehra?" I asked doubtingly.  Small
+wonder, indeed, I was slow to realize my fortune.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You great stupid," she laughed.  "Can't you understand I have wanted
+it for six long years?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think," said I, "I'm dreaming."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For a dreamer, you're wonderfully brave," she said.  "Do you
+appreciate that you had the audacity to propose to the Princess Royal
+of Valeria while she sat in the Royal Box before all the fashion of
+Dornlitz?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear," said I, "I would propose to her a dozen times under like
+conditions if I thought, at the end, she would do as she has done
+to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If she had known that, she might have put you to the test."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would have made her wait only the longer for that kiss she wants,"
+I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I fancy, sir, she could have had your kiss without accepting you.
+She needed only to give you half a chance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think," said I, "even less than half a chance from you, dear, would
+have been successful."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She studied her fan a moment.  "From me, <I>only</I>?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"From you, only," I said.  "It would require a trifle more than half a
+chance from anyone else."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Even from the Lady Helen Radnor?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I watched her face a moment.  There was, I felt, only one way to play
+this out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," I answered, "it might be that an even half chance would suffice
+from her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It took rather less than that at the Birthday Ball, didn't it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had the grace to keep silent&mdash;or, maybe, I was too surprised to know
+an answer.  I did not have the courage to meet her eyes.  I stared into
+the audience, seeing no one, thinking much&mdash;hoping she would speak; but
+she did not.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently I turned, looking like a whipped child, I know, and met
+Dehra's smiling face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tie my slipper, dear," she said, "the ribbon has come undone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You sweetheart!" I said.  "You sweetheart!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She drew her gown back from the footstool, and I slowly tightened the
+silken bands over the high-arched instep&mdash;very slowly, I confess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're very naughty, Armand," she said, shaking her head in mock
+reproof.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doesn't the other shoe need fastening?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, sir&mdash;and, if it did, I would have the Countess tie it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bother the Countess," I said.  (The Countess Giska was the Princess's
+chief Lady in Waiting&mdash;and she and my aide-de-camp, Moore, were in the
+rear of the Box, which, fortunately, was sufficiently deep to put them
+out of ear-shot.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Or, I might ask Major Moore.  I think he would be glad to do it," she
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He would be a most extraordinary Irishman if he were not more than
+glad," I said.  "But, when I'm around, Dehra, the pleasure is mine
+alone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Goodness, Armand, you would not be jealous?" she mocked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't know what it's called," said I, "but that's it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Haven't you ever been jealous, dear?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I never cared enough for a girl to be jealous," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fancy you've cared for so many you had no time to entertain the
+Green-eyed Monster," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I evaded the thrust.  "Has he ever visited you?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She ignored the question.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Isn't Lady Helen beautiful to-night?" she said&mdash;and smiled a greeting
+toward the British Ambassador's Box.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instantly, Lord Radnor and Courtney arose and bowed low.  I returned
+the salute in kind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell me," I said.  "Were you ever jealous?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She kept her eyes on the stage.  Carmen was the opera, but, thus far, I
+had not heard a single note.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am waiting for you to answer my question," she said, presently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fear I missed it," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Queer, surely&mdash;it was about Lady Helen.  I asked if she were not
+beautiful to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She is always very handsome," I said.  "And she looks particularly
+well in blue."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra smiled slyly.  "It's the same gown she wore at the Birthday Ball."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bit my lip&mdash;then, suddenly, I got very brave.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell me," I said.  "How did you know I kissed her, that night?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I saw it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Dev&mdash;!  Oh!" I exclaimed.  I was brave no longer.  I got
+interested in the opera.  Presently, I ventured to glance at Dehra&mdash;she
+was laughing behind her fan.  Then I ventured again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I hope," said I, "I did it nicely."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Most artistically, my dear Armand.  Escamillo, yonder, could not do it
+more cleverly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I winced.  It is not especially flattering to an Archduke to be classed
+with a toreador&mdash;and Carmen's toreador, least of all.  Yet, I
+recognized the justice of the punishment.  Bravery had failed twice; it
+was time to be humble.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am sorry, Dehra," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course you are, sir, very sorry&mdash;that I saw you.&mdash;And so was I,"
+she added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Was?" I echoed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It gave me <I>un mauvais quart d'heure</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No longer than that?" tasked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No; it lasted only until I had you to myself on the terrace, a little
+later."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And then?" I queried.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then?  Then I was no longer jealous of the Lady Helen.  Your eyes told
+me there was no need."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There never has been anyone but you, my darling," I whispered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And never will be, Armand?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Please God, never," I said; and, forgetting where we were, I made as
+though to take her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not now," she smiled.  "Wait until after the Opera."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will be a longer wait than that," I said regretfully.  "I have told
+Courtney I would invite the Radnors and him to take supper with me on
+the Hanging Garden, to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why don't you say 'take supper with <I>us</I>'?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean it, Dehra?" I asked in surprise.  "You have always refused,
+hitherto; and I have asked so often."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "Hitherto was different from now," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank God for the now," I added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We might bid them here for the last act," she suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have presumed to hint as much to Courtney," I said; and told her how
+it had all come about in my talk with him that morning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Delightful!" she exclaimed.  "And we will have a jolly party on the
+Garden&mdash;and let us be just like ordinary folk and have a public
+table&mdash;only, a little apart, of course."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It shall be as you want," I said, and dispatched Major Moore to the
+Radnor Box with the invitation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he returned, I stepped into the corridor and gave him explicit
+instructions as to the supper.  I had encouraged both him and Bernheim
+to intimate when I was about to make an Archducal <I>faux pas</I>, and I saw
+he did not approve of the public table.  But I gave no heed.  I knew
+perfectly well it was violating official etiquette for the Princess to
+appear there at such an hour; but it was her first request since&mdash;well,
+since what had occurred a few minutes before&mdash;and I was determined to
+gratify her.  And Moore, being a good courtier, and knowing I had
+observed his warning, made no further protest, but saluted and departed
+on his mission.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When I rejoined Dehra she had moved forward and was looking over the
+audience.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have found an ex-compatriot of yours," she remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?" I said, rather indifferently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She has just come into the third box on the right.  She is wonderfully
+beautiful&mdash;or, at least, she looks it from here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've got someone wonderfully beautiful beside me," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But have you no interest in the American?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None&mdash;except that she interests you.  In the third box, did you say?"
+I asked, turning slowly toward it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, Armand, you know her!" said Dehra, suddenly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Trust a woman to read a man's face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "I have seen her before to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave me a sharp look.  "And have known her, too&mdash;<I>n'est ce pas</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;after a fashion," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She studied the woman for a space.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that her husband behind her?" she asked, presently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.  "Very possibly," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Had she a husband when you knew her?" she persisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Part of the time."  I was a bit uncomfortable.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the man, yonder, is not he?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave me a sidelong glance.  "And her name?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It used to be Madeline Spencer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You showed excellent taste, Armand&mdash;both in her looks and name."
+There was something of sarcasm in the tone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be unjust, sweetheart," I said.  "She never was anything to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you quite sure?".
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On my honor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave a little sigh of relief.  "I am glad, dear; I would not want
+her for a rival.  She is much too beautiful to be forgotten easily."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The beauty is only external.  She is ugly in heart," I said.  "I
+wonder what brings her to Dornlitz?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The man beside her, doubtless," said Dehra.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then he's spending money on her like water&mdash;or she has some game
+afoot," I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You paint her very dark, dear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Listen," I said.  "She was the wife of Colonel Spencer of the American
+Army.  He married her, one summer, in Paris, where he had gone to meet
+her upon her graduation from a convent school.  She was his ward&mdash;the
+child of the officer who had been his room-mate at the Point.  Within
+two years Colonel Spencer was dead&mdash;broken-hearted; a wealthy
+Lieutenant of his regiment had been cashiered and had shot himself
+after she had plucked him clean.  Since then, she has lived in the odor
+of eminent respectability; yet, as I know, always waiting for a
+victim&mdash;and always having one.  Money is her God."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, yet, there seems to be nothing in her appearance to suggest such
+viciousness," said Dehra.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing," I said; "and, hence, her danger and her power."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You knew her when she was Colonel Spencer's wife?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I met her at the Post where he commanded&mdash;and, later, I saw her in
+Washington and New York.  She had been in Pittsburgh for several months
+before I left&mdash;angling for some of the <I>nouveaux riches</I>, I fancy.
+There was plenty of gossip of her in the Clubs; though I, alone, I
+think, know her true history."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you did not warn anyone of her?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So long as she let my friends alone I cared not what pigeon she
+plucked.  And the very fact that she knew I was in Pittsburgh, was
+enough to make her shy of anyone I would likely care for."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra laughed lightly.  "Maybe you were a little bit afraid of her,
+yourself," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe I was," I admitted; "for she has a fascination almost
+irresistible&mdash;when she choose to exert it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra looked at me steadily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I understood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "she has made a try at me; once in New York; again, and
+only recently, in Pittsburgh.  I escaped both times, thank God."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She may make another try at you here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "She failed twice in America; she can scarcely win in
+Dornlitz when you are beside me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I'm not always beside you," she objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not physically," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What chance would a mentality have against that woman's actual
+presence?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would depend entirely on the man, and I am immune&mdash;thanks to
+Spencer's dead face and your sweet one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra smiled brightly.  "Spencer's dead face is a mentality infinitely
+more potent than my living one; but I think the two should hold you.
+Yet, I hate that woman yonder.  I believe she has dared to follow you
+here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shook my head.  "Never in my life have I used words to woman such as
+I used to her in Pittsburgh.  Oh, no, she has not followed me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, why is she here&mdash;so soon after your coming?" Dehra persisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why do thousands visit Dornlitz every month?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She is no casual visitor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very likely," I agreed.  "Madeline Spencer is not the sort to do
+casual travelling.  She has an object&mdash;but it is not I."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wish I could feel secure of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you mean it's I you doubt, dear?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave me her sweetest smile.  "I shall doubt you, Armand, only when
+you yourself order me to&mdash;and, even then, I may disregard the order."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before such love a man falls abject in his absolute unworthiness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't deserve such trust, sweetheart," I answered humbly&mdash;and I
+think my voice broke in the saying.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll risk it," she replied.  "If I were as sure that woman's presence
+meant no harm to you I would be altogether easy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What harm could she possibly do to an Archduke of Valeria?" I laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None that I can imagine, I admit&mdash;unless she seek to discredit you
+with the King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But from what possible motive?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Revenge for your double scorning of her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "Madame Spencer has no time for such foolishness as
+revenge."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I hope you may be right, dear; but a woman's intuition bids you to
+beware."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Would you like to have the authorities look into her business here?" I
+asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I surely would."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then Major Moore entered.  I motioned him forward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Everything is arranged for on the Garden as Your Highness ordered," he
+reported.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thanked him.  "One thing more, Major," I said.  "My compliments to
+the senior officer of the Secret Police on duty here to-night, and ask
+him to send me, in the morning, a full report on the parties occupying
+the third box on the right in this row.  And do you take a good look at
+them yourself; it may be well for you to know their faces."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What a satisfactory Aide," said Dehra.  "His eyes didn't even waver
+toward that other box."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not only that," I answered; "but, when Moore does do his looking,
+those in that box won't know it, you may be sure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the bells rang for the last act&mdash;and the Radnors and Courtney were
+announced.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap14"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XIV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE WOMAN IN BLACK
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+To those who have never been to Dornlitz I may say that the Hanging
+Garden is the name for the great balcony of the Hotel Metzen.  It
+suggests&mdash;very faintly&mdash;the Terrace at Westminster; though, of course,
+it is far more beautiful, with the dancing waters of Lake Lorg instead
+of the dirty, sluggish Thames.  It is the peculiarly fashionable
+restaurant, and is always thronged in the evening with the aristocracy
+of the Kingdom.  To-night, the extreme end of the balcony had been
+reserved for me, and a very slight bank of plants was arranged to
+separate us from the general crowd.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just before the final curtain, His Highness of Lotzen had strolled into
+the Royal Box.  To my surprise he congratulated me very heartily upon
+my appointment as Governor of Dornlitz; and, perforce, I invited him to
+join us at supper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He hesitated a moment, and I urged him to come.  In fact, I felt a bit
+sorry for him.  He had just lost the Princess and, with her, likely,
+his chance at the Throne, as well.  And I had won the one and, very
+possibly, the other, also.  I could afford to be generous.  After
+to-night, however,&mdash;when he had learned of these facts&mdash;it would be for
+him to indicate as to our future attitude.  For my part, I was quite
+willing to be friendly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The entrance of my party made something of a sensation.  To reach our
+table, we were obliged to pass down the Garden almost half its length
+and the people arose instantly and bowed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To Lotzen, this deference was such an ordinary incident of his daily
+life he, doubtless, scarcely noticed it.  But I was still fresh in my
+Royalty and it did attract me&mdash;though, I think I appreciated what he
+did not; that their courtesy was, in truth, to the Princess only, and
+not to us.  Indeed, it would have been just the same if the King
+himself had been with us.  When Dehra was in presence the people had
+eyes for her alone.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The supper was deliciously cooked; the wine was excellent; the service
+beyond criticism.  I had given the two Ambassadors to Dehra and had put
+Lady Helen between Lotzen and myself, with Lord Radnor on the Duke's
+left.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We were a merry party.  Dehra was positively bewitching and Radnor was
+simply fascinated.  He could scarcely take his eyes from her, even when
+addressed by Lotzen; which was very little, for the Duke devoted
+himself very assiduously to Lady Helen.  So I was remitted to Lady
+Radnor, who was about the most tiresomely uninteresting mortal it had
+been my misfortune to know&mdash;a funeral service was an extravaganza in
+comparison to her talk.  In Washington, my rank had never entitled me
+to a seat at her side at dinner; and many was the time I had chaffed
+Courtney, or some other unfortunate, who had been so stranded beside
+Her Ponderousness.  To-night, however, my turn was come, and Courtney
+was getting his revenge.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+My only solace were the occasional smiles that Dehra gave me&mdash;smiles
+that Courtney noted instantly and, I fancied, understood; and that
+Lotzen intercepted; but what he thought I did not know and did not
+care.  Who ever cares what his defeated rival thinks!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We had been there for, possibly, half an hour when, happening to glance
+outward, I saw Madeline Spencer and an elderly woman, and the man who
+had been in the box with her, coming slowly down the Garden.  It
+chanced that a table near us had just been vacated and they were shown
+to it by the head-waiter, whose excessive obsequiousness proved the
+size of his tip.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mrs. Spencer gave our party a single quick glance, as she drew off her
+gloves, and then fell to conversing with her companions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All this I had noted out of the corner of my eye, as it were.  I had
+not the least doubt she had recognized me at the Opera, and I did not
+intend to give her a chance to speak to me&mdash;which I knew she would try
+to do, the Pittsburgh experience notwithstanding, if she thought it
+might further her present plans or pleasures.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen, however, had been drinking rather freely and was not so chary
+with his glances.  Indeed, he stared so frankly that Lady Helen did not
+hesitate to prod him about it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I would take her to be an American," I heard him say.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Without a doubt," Lady Helen answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Inwardly, I consigned the Spencer woman to perdition.  They would be
+interrogating me about her, next; and I did not know just how to
+answer.  I would have to admit knowing her; that would only whet their
+curiosity and bring further questions.  To tell the whole story was
+absurd&mdash;and, yet, only a little of it would leave a rather unpleasant
+inference against me.  At any rate, on Dehra's account, I did not want
+the matter discussed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I could feel Lotzen's glance, and I knew he was waiting only for a
+break in Lady Radnor's discourse.  I gave him as much of my back as
+possible, and encouraged her to proceed.  She was on the Tenement House
+problem; but I had no idea what she was advocating, in particular.  I
+did not care.  All I wanted was talk&mdash;talk&mdash;talk.  And, whenever she
+showed signs of slowing up, I flung in a word and spurred her on again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And she responded nobly; and I marvelled at her staying powers&mdash;at Lord
+Radnor's fortitude through so many years&mdash;at Lady Helen being the child
+of such a mother.  But, all the time, I was conscious of Lotzen
+waiting&mdash;waiting&mdash;waiting.  I could hear his voice and Lady Helen's
+merry laugh, yet I knew nothing but the ending of the supper and the
+breaking of the party, with Lady Radnor still riding her hobby, would
+save me from the question.  I threw in another remark to keep her
+going.  It was fatal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lord Radnor heard it; and, catching his wife's reply, I saw him frown.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lord bless us!" he exclaimed to the Princess and Courtney, "we must
+rescue His Highness&mdash;Lady Radnor is on the Tenement problem."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I tried to signal Courtney to keep Radnor occupied; but he did not
+understand, and only smiled and whispered something to the Princess.
+Then Lord Radnor caught his wife's eye and the old lady's discourse
+ended abruptly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fear I weary Your Royal Highness," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On the contrary, I am deeply interested," I assured her.  "Pray
+continue."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Her glance wandered eagerly across the table, but she got no
+encouragement from the Ambassador.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness is very gracious," she said, "and, sometime, if you are
+so minded, I shall gladly show you the late reports from the London
+Society."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I dared not urge her further; Lord Radnor would have suspected me of
+making sport of his wife.  So I cudgelled my brain for some other
+subject to talk up with her.  Of course, I failed to find it instantly,
+and, in the momentary silence, Lotzen's opportunity came.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Armand," he said, leaning a bit forward, "Lady Helen and I have been
+discussing the woman in black, yonder&mdash;the pretty one.  We take her to
+be an American&mdash;what is your opinion?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The whole table heard the question, and every one looked at the
+lady&mdash;either immediately or when they could do it with proper
+discretion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean the woman with the elderly couple, just near us?" I asked,
+glancing thither, and so on around to the Princess, who met me with a
+smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The same," said Lotzen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're quite right," said I; "she is an American."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You know her?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I used to know her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He hesitated a moment&mdash;and, of course, everyone waited.  "Couldn't you
+still know her enough to present me?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shook my head.  "You would be most unfortunate in your sponsor," I
+answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He smiled indulgently.  "I'll risk it," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, maybe, I won't," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His smile broadened.  "Come, come, cousin mine," he said; "don't be
+selfish with the lady."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled blandly back at him, though my hand itched to strike him in
+the face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Duke," I said, "you forget I may not yet have had time to
+acquire certain of the&mdash;dilettante accomplishments of Royalty."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His expression changed instantly.  "I beg your pardon, Armand," he
+said, "I was only joking."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I saw Courtney glance at Lady Helen and slowly shut one eye.  He knew,
+as did I, that Lotzen lied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is naught to pardon, cousin," I said.  "We both were joking."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Lady Helen came to my relief.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But there is considerable for Her Royal Highness and me to pardon,"
+she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "there is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I take all the blame," Lotzen interrupted.  "I alone am guilty;
+proceed with the judgment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What shall it be?" said Lady Helen to the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra shrugged her pretty shoulders and raised her hands expressively.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The only punishment that fits the crime is to deprive the Duke of
+Lotzen of all wine for the rest of the evening."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It seemed to me the Duke winced.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness is severe," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked him straight in the eyes.  "On the contrary, cousin, I am
+kind to put it so&mdash;and you know it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Lotzen's equanimity was not to be disturbed.  He smiled with
+engaging frankness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Queen can do no wrong," he said, and bowed over the table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then, Madeline Spencer arose and I breathed a sigh of relief&mdash;she
+was going.  The next instant I almost gasped.  Instead of going, she
+came swiftly toward us&mdash;passed the low bank of plants&mdash;and straight to
+me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I arose&mdash;all the men arose&mdash;and bowed stiffly.  She hesitated and
+seemed a bit embarrassed&mdash;then, suddenly, held out her hand to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am afraid, Armand," she said, "you are not glad to see me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Armand!  Armand!  Lord, what nerve!  A rush of sharp anger almost
+choked me, yet I tried to look at her only in calm interrogation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think, Mrs. Spencer," I said, just touching her hand, "almost every
+man is glad to see a pretty woman."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave me a look of surprise; then, threw up her head, disdainfully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You called me 'Mrs. Spencer'?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at her in surprise.  "I was not aware you had changed your
+name," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She took a step backward.  "You were not aware of what?" she exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That you were no longer Mrs. Spencer," I said&mdash;a trifle curtly, maybe.
+I thought she was playing for a presentation to the Princess and I had
+no intention of gratifying her, even if I had to be rude to her
+deliberately.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She passed her hand across her brow and stared at me incredulously.  I
+turned half aside and glanced around the table.  Every face but three
+showed blank amazement.  Of those three, the Princess's wore a tolerant
+smile; Lotzen's a frown; but Courtney's was set in almost a sneer.
+And, at it, I marvelled.  Later, I understood; he had, by some queer
+intuition, guessed what was to follow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When I came back to Mrs. Spencer her expression had changed.  The
+incredulous look was gone; bright anger flamed, instead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you still persist, sir, that you do not know my rightful name?" she
+demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From my previous acquaintance with the lady I knew she was working
+herself into a passion; though, why, I could not imagine.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Madame," I said, "why such pother over such a trifle?  If your
+name be, no longer, Madeline Spencer, tell me what it is.  I shall be
+profoundly glad to call you by it&mdash;or any name than Spencer," I added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She felt the thrust and her eyes answered it.  Then, suddenly, she
+turned and faced those at the table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your pardon," she said, speaking straight at Lord Radnor, "will you
+tell me if this man here"&mdash;waving her hand toward me&mdash;"is Major Armand
+Dalberg?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lord Radnor bowed.  "That gentleman is His Royal Highness the Grand
+Duke Armand of Valeria," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Erstwhile, Major of Engineers in the American Army?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I believe so, Madame," said his Lordship, stiffly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you," she said.  "And now&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I broke in.  "Madame," I said sharply, "you have presumed beyond
+forbearance.  Major Moore, will you escort the lady to her companions."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Moore stepped forward and, bowing very low, offered his arm.  Like a
+flash, her face changed and she met him with a smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just a moment, if you please," she said, with softest accents.  Then,
+with studied deliberation, she turned her back on me and swept the
+Princess an elaborate courtesy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Royal Highness may pardon my intrusion," she said, "when I tell
+you that I am Armand Dalberg's wife&mdash;&mdash;  Now, Major Moore, I am ready,"
+and she put her hand upon his arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Moore never moved.  Instead, he looked at me for orders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Language is utterly inadequate to describe my feelings at that moment;
+so I shall not try.  Imagination is better than words.  I know I had an
+almost uncontrollable impulse for violence&mdash;and I fancy Courtney feared
+it, for he stepped quickly over and put his hand on my shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you, old man," I said.  Then I looked at the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was leaning carelessly back in her chair, watching the Spencer
+woman through half-closed eyes&mdash;-a bright flush on each cheek and: a
+faint smile, half sneer, half amusement, on her lips.  Suddenly she
+looked at me, and the smile flashed out into such an one as she had
+given me in the Royal Box.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+My heart gave a great bound&mdash;I knew she trusted me, still.  I turned to
+the woman in black.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is it possible, Madame, that you claim to be my wife?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She dropped Moore's arm and took a step toward me&mdash;and, as I live,
+there were tears in her eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What has changed you, Armand?" she asked.  "Why do you flout me so?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stared at her.  "God help me, woman, you must be crazy!" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She put out her hand appealingly.  "You don't mean that, dear, surely?"
+And, now, the tears were in her voice, too.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What I mean, Madame, is that you are either crazy or playing some
+game," I answered curtly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She brushed aside the tears and gave me a look of almost heart-broken
+appeal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why do you deny me, Armand?" she cried.  "Have I grown ugly in the
+last few months?  Has the beauty you used to praise turned so soon to
+ashes?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Unfortunately, for me, her beauty had not turned to ashes.  She was, at
+that very moment, the handsomest woman I had ever seen&mdash;save only the
+Princess.  The slender figure&mdash;the magnificent neck and shoulders&mdash;the
+roll upon roll of jet-black hair&mdash;the almost classic face&mdash;and all in
+distress and trouble.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was a picture, surely; and one that was making its impression;
+judging from the faces of Lord and Lady Radnor.  I changed my manner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Mrs. Spencer," I said kindly, "no one may deny your
+beauty&mdash;and I, least of all.  But I do deny that I am your husband.
+You are, evidently, ill, and laboring under some queer hallucination."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head.  "You know perfectly well, Armand, I am not ill nor
+under a delusion," she said, and looked me straight in the eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, Madame, you are a wonderful&mdash;actress," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the tears welled up, and one trickled slowly down her cheek.  She
+turned quickly and made as though to go.  But Courtney stayed her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Madame," he said, with that gracious courtesy of his, which I
+have never seen equalled by courtier of any Court, "may I ask you a
+question?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She inclined her head in answer and waited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have claimed a Royal Duke of Valeria as your husband, and he has
+denied the claim.  It is a most serious matter.  It was done in the
+presence of many witnesses, and your words, or some of them, were,
+doubtless, overheard by those at nearby tables.  The Capital will be
+full of the affair; and the results may be most unfortunate for you,
+and for His Highness.  I am the American Ambassador; here is the
+Ambassador of His Majesty of England; and, yonder, is His Royal
+Highness the Grand Duke Lotzen, Heir Presumptive to the Valerian
+Throne&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your speech is long, sir," she said; "please come to the question."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney bowed.  "I was but trying to explain why I ventured to meddle
+in Madame's business," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled wearily.  "Your pardon, Monsieur; pray proceed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The question I want to ask is this," said Courtney: "Will you not tell
+us when and where you became the wife of Armand Dalberg?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Monsieur, and gladly&mdash;and I thank you for the thought.  I was
+married to Armand Dalberg&mdash;then a Major in the American Army&mdash;on the
+twenty-first day of last December in the City of New York."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(That was only two months before I had sailed for Valeria; and I had
+been in New York that very day.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And by whom, pray?" I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By the official you provided," was the curt reply.  Then, to Courtney,
+she added: "I don't recall his name but my certificate shows it, I
+suppose."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you have the certificate with you?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is somewhere among my luggage.  If you care to see it I shall try
+to find it to-morrow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you, Madame," Courtney answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Lotzen took a hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will Madame permit me, also, to ask her a question?" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Certainly, Your Highness," she answered, and would have curtsied had
+he not waved her up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Was the marriage secret?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The answer was instant: "It was private but not secret."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, why is it that Major Dalberg's record in the War office in
+Washington makes no mention of this marriage?  I happen to know it does
+not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do not know," she answered, rather tartly.  "It was not, I assume,
+my duty to report it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, further, Madame," Lotzen continued.  "If Major Dalberg were lucky
+enough to marry you, why, in Heaven's name, should he deny you within a
+few short months?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I might guess one of the reasons," she answered languidly&mdash;and let her
+eyes rest upon the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And Dehra laughed in her face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen shrugged his shoulders and was silent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are there any more questions, Messieurs?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+No one answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, with your permission, I will obey my husband's orders and
+withdraw," she said mockingly.  "Major Moore, your arm."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When she was gone, Lotzen turned to me and held out his hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm with you, Armand," he said heartily.  "She's no wife of yours,
+certificate to the contrary notwithstanding."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thanked him gratefully&mdash;the more so since it was so totally
+unexpected.  Then, without giving the others an opportunity to express
+their opinion (they would, of course, have been constrained to agree
+with the Heir Presumptive; all except the Princess, and, of her, I had
+no doubt) and addressing, particularly, the Radnors, I said:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The supper is spoiled beyond repair, I fear, but I shall ask you to go
+on with it, for I wish to acquaint you with some facts in the life of
+the woman who claims me as her husband."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are quite ready to accept Your Highness's simple denial," said Lord
+Radnor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I prefer you hear my story first," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I told them, in detail, what I had only outlined to the Princess,
+concerning Madeline Spencer.  When I had finished, Lord Radnor shook
+his grey head gravely.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Highness of Lotzen is quite right," he said.  "You never married
+that woman.  Either she is a blackmailer or she is doing this in pure
+revenge.  What's your notion, Courtney?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The marriage story is, of course, a pure lie," said Courtney, "but,
+there, I quit.  I never try to guess a woman's purpose&mdash;and a pretty
+woman's least of all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God bless me, man!" Radnor exclaimed; "for a bachelor you are wondrous
+wise."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe that's why he is a bachelor," said Lady Helen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But even the wise get foolish at times," I said&mdash;and smiled at her.
+And she made a face at me behind her fan.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the Princess arose and, taking Lord Radnor's arm, she led the way
+down the garden.  I came last with Lady Radnor.  When we reached the
+exit Dehra insisted upon waiting until the Radnors and Courtney had
+gone.  She was, she said, helping me do the honors.  Then, when her own
+carriage was at the door, she turned to the Countess Giska.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Highness will drive with me," she said.  "Major Moore, will you
+escort the Countess?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, Dehra&mdash;&mdash;" I protested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was in the brougham, now.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You will not permit me to drive alone to the Palace," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, Dehra&mdash;&mdash;" I began again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She reached over and took my hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Still I hesitated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, sweetheart," she said softly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I could resist no longer.  I sprang in; the door slammed, and we were
+alone together.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+No, not alone, either.  The Spencer woman was there with us&mdash;before
+us&mdash;all around us.  "I am Armand Dalberg's wife" was pounding in my
+brain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I felt a soft little hand slip into mine; a perfumed hair tress
+touched my cheek; and the sweetest voice, to me, on earth whispered in
+my ear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't I get my kiss now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I flung my arm about her and caught her close&mdash;then loosed her sharply
+and drew back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God help me, Dehra, I may not," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed softly, and again she found my hand&mdash;and I felt her hair
+brush my face&mdash;and her body rest against my shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why, Armand?" she asked.  "Why may you not kiss your betrothed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Because," said I, "because&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, dear, go on," she whispered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I drew my hand away from hers.  "Did you not hear that woman claim me
+as her husband?" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she only pressed the closer.  I was in the very corner of the
+carriage now; I could retreat no farther.  And, maybe, I was glad.  I
+think I was.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But that's no reason," she insisted.  "You are not her husband."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You believe that, dear?" I cried.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She put her arms about my neck and kissed me, almost fiercely, on the
+lips&mdash;then, suddenly, drew back and, with both hands pressed against my
+breast, she viewed me at arm's length.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Believe it?" she said; "believe it?  I never believed anything else."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took her hands and reverently touched them to my forehead&mdash;then, held
+them tight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"After all these years, God would not send you to me just to mock my
+prayers," she added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But the certificate!" I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A lie or a forgery," she said scornfully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I drew her head upon my shoulder.  "Sweetheart," I whispered; "may I
+kiss you, now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She lifted her dear face and looked up into mine with glistening eyes,
+her lips half parted.  My own eyes, too, were wet, I think.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Armand&mdash;now and always," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, so I held her, for a moment; then, bent and kissed her.  And that
+kiss is on my lips this instant, and will be until they numb in death.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap15"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+HER WORD AND HER CERTIFICATE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+If any man&mdash;having lived a bachelor to early middle life, has then found
+his ideal, and has been, unexpectedly and undeservedly, favored with her
+love, and then, within two hours thereafter and in her very presence, has
+been claimed by another woman as her husband&mdash;that man will be able to
+appreciate something of my state of mind.  No one else could, so it is
+not worth while attempting to describe it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I admit I lay awake most of the night trying to determine how to meet the
+Spencer woman's attack.  And I had reached no satisfactory decision when
+I went down to breakfast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The formal ceremony of my taking over the Governorship of Dornlitz was
+fixed for noon.  I would be occupied the remainder of the afternoon at
+headquarters; and then, in the evening, I was to give a dinner to the
+ranking military officers in the Capital.  I wanted to get some plan of
+action arranged at once and, feeling the need of clear-headed counsel, I
+dispatched Bernheim to the American Embassy with a request that Courtney
+join me immediately.  I had just finished my meal when he was announced,
+and we repaired to my private cabinet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The top paper on my desk was the report of the Secret Police upon "The
+occupants of the third box on the right," which I had ordered the
+previous evening.  I carried it to Courtney and we read it together.  It
+was long and detailed and covered all the movements of the trio since
+their entry into Dornlitz.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In effect it was: That the elderly couple were only chance acquaintances
+of the younger woman, having met her on the train en route from Paris;
+that they had reached the Capital the previous day and had registered at
+the Hotel Metzen as "Mr. and Mrs. James Bacon, New York City," and "Mrs.
+Armand Dalberg and maid, Washington, D. C.;" that the Mrs. Dalberg had
+remained in her apartments until evening, had then dined in the public
+dining room with the Bacons, and the three had then gone to the Opera;
+that no callers had been received by any of them, so far as known by the
+hotel's officials; that, after the Opera, they had been driven directly
+to the hotel and had gone into the Hanging Garden and had taken a table;
+that, presently, the one known as Mrs. Dalberg had intruded upon certain
+personages of high rank, who were at a near-by table; that, after a
+rather prolonged discussion, she had been escorted back to her
+companions, the Bacons (who had, meanwhile, remained at their table) by
+an Aide-de-Camp of one of the high personages; that the lady in question
+and the Bacons, very shortly thereafter, retired to their apartments.  At
+six A. M.&mdash;when the report was dated&mdash;they were still in their respective
+apartments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I flung the report on the desk.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damn that woman!" I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney sat down, and the inevitable cigarette case came out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's scarcely emphatic enough, my dear boy," he said.  "Go into the
+next room and cut loose a bit."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've nothing else to cut loose with," I replied.  "I used up everything,
+last night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said he.  "If the pressure is off, you are in shape to think."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shook my head.  "No, I'm not&mdash;that's why I sent for you&mdash;to do the
+thinking."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He picked up the Police report.  "I'm glad she registered as Mrs. Armand
+Dalberg," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The devil you are!" I exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.  "The first problem to solve is: What motive this woman has in
+proclaiming herself your wife.  There are only two motives possible, I
+think, and this registry utterly eliminates one of them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean it is not blackmail," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the other motive?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Revenge."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, no," I said; "that woman didn't come from America to Dornlitz simply
+for revenge."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," said Courtney.  "Then, the motive is not hers and we must
+look elsewhere for it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you mean she is only a tool," said I, "that is almost as unlikely as
+revenge."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On the contrary, why couldn't it be both&mdash;and, also, a big pile of
+money?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Because," said I, "she would balk at the notoriety."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney laughed.  "Good, yellow gold, and plenty of it, is a wonderful
+persuader."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come," said I; "what's your guess in the matter?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He tossed aside his cigarette and leaned a bit forward in his chair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The lady has been purchased by someone to come here and pose as your
+wife; the moving consideration to her was enough cash to make her
+independently rich and the pleasure of thus being able to square off with
+you, on her own account.  That's my guess&mdash;and I fancy it's yours too,"
+he ended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "Yes," said I; "it is.  I spent the night over the mix and
+that's the best solution I could make."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney lit a fresh cigarette, "Of course, it's Lotzen," said he.  "And
+a very clever plot it is.  No Princess and no Crown for you, my boy,
+until this Madame Armand Dalberg is eliminated&mdash;and, maybe, not even
+then."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your 'then' is the only rift in the cloud," said I.  "Eliminate the
+Spencer woman, and, I think, I can manage."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at me questioningly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Her Highness was very gracious to me last night," I explained&mdash;and I
+felt my face getting red.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney got up and came over to me,
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is it up to a hand-shake, old man?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded, and we gripped fingers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would have been up to the King, to-morrow, but for this miserable
+wife business," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good!" he exclaimed.  "Lotzen does not hold all the cards&mdash;you've got a
+few trumps, too.  It will be a pretty game."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For the spectators," I supplemented.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For you, too; when you get into the swing of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wish I had your happy way of viewing things," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed.  "Oh, it's easy to view some other fellow's affairs happily.
+That is why a friend's advice is usually serviceable."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took a pipe and began to fill it.  "It's that advice I want," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was silent for a space.  I smoked and waited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose you had no opportunity to talk with the Princess after the
+supper, last night?" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.  "I drove with her to the Palace."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Alone?" he exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;she ordered me in with her and sent the Countess with Moore."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He sat up sharply.  "Gad!  Major, she's a treasure!" he exclaimed.  "That
+tells me what I want to know: she has measured the Spencer woman's story."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Both story and certificate," said I.  "She says the one is a lie and the
+other a forgery."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He raised his hand emphatically.  "My dear fellow," he said, sternly, "if
+you didn't get down on your knees, last night, and thank the good God for
+that brave girl up yonder in the Palace, you deserve to lose her&mdash;and I
+shall go over to Lotzen's side, myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said I, "I didn't.  I was too busy thinking about and praising
+her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's the same thing," he said.  "I'll stay with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I got up and bowed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you, Your Excellency," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then we both smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's queer," said Courtney, "how, even in the most embarrassing
+difficulties, a woman's love makes a man's heart light."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.  I was thinking of the drive to the Palace.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney's laugh aroused me.  "Come out of the brougham," he called.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is where I was," I admitted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The next thing," said he, "is to see that marriage certificate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If there be one," I questioned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is one&mdash;of that you may be sure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She offered to show it to you, to-day," said I.  "Call her bluff."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm going to accept her offer, when I leave here.  And, what's more, I
+shall see the certificate," he said.  "This plot has been too well laid
+for the essentials to have been overlooked.  I'll bet a twenty you were
+in New York City on the twenty-first of last December."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "I was.  So it's up to proving the certificate a forgery."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shook his head.  "I fear we shall find it a perfectly regular
+certificate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean," said I, "that they have bribed some official to make a false
+record?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just that."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, if the woman, the official and the records all convict me, how am
+I to prove my innocence?" I demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By waiting for the enemy to make a blunder.  They have already made one
+which results delightfully for you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I reckon I'm a trifle thick-headed, Courtney," I said.  "You'll have to
+explain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never mind the head, old man; it will be all right to-morrow.  Their
+blunder is in having unwittingly sprung their trap on the very evening
+the Princess and you came to an understanding.  Had they been even a few
+hours earlier you would not have dared to speak of love to her&mdash;and so
+you might not have had the King's daughter as a special advocate.  On the
+other hand, had they waited a day longer, your betrothal would,
+doubtless, have received Frederick's approval, and have been formally
+proclaimed.  How embarrassing, then, to the Princess; how intensely
+irritating to the King, and how particularly injurious to you in the eyes
+of the nation&mdash;the people would think you won her under false colors;
+and, though you proved your innocence a hundred times, the taint would
+always linger."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're right, Courtney," I exclaimed; "right as Gospel."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, see how lucky you are: You have the Princess&mdash;you are sure of her
+and no one knows it.  You go to the King, to-day; tell him the whole
+story of the Princess and you, and of this Spencer woman's claim and
+history.  Ask him to suspend judgment until you can establish the falsity
+of her charge.  If I know Frederick, you need have no fear of his answer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the only course," said I; "but, first, I would like to know the
+facts as to that certificate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney arose.  "You shall have a copy of it before candle-light," he
+said.  "Where can I see you, if there is anything of my interview with
+the lady I think you need to know?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll be here at six o'clock," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good&mdash;and, of course, not a word to-night to the King as to Lotzen.
+Let him guess that for himself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Trust me," I answered; "I'm getting more awake."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I sent for Moore.  "Colonel Moore," I said (as Aide to a Field
+Marshal he was entitled to a Colonelcy, and had been gazetted to it in
+the orders of the previous evening), "has the scene in the Garden, last
+night, become public talk?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fear so, sir," he replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, no sugar&mdash;out with it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, Your Highness, the town rings with it.  It's the sensation of the
+hour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said I.  "The more they talk, to-day, the less they will talk,
+to-morrow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I paused, and looked him over.  He was a thorough-bred; clean-cut,
+handsome, manly.  I never saw a finer figure than he made in his blue and
+white uniform.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, why wasn't the lady sensible, Colonel, and marry herself to you
+instead of to me?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He fairly jumped.  "God forbid," he exclaimed.  Then, he laughed.
+"Besides, I'm thinking, sir, it wasn't looks she was after."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed, too.  "Go 'long with you," I said; "you deserve court-martial."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I sent him to the King with the request to be received at seven
+o'clock.  He also carried a note to the Princess, telling her I would
+call at six thirty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In due time, he returned: The King would receive me at the hour named.
+The Princess, however, sent her reply by a footman.  It was a note; and,
+except that I was expected for sure at <I>six thirty</I>, it is quite
+unnecessary to give its contents.  They were not intended for general
+circulation.  I might say, however, that the note was eminently
+satisfactory to me, and that I read it more than once.  And it was in the
+inside pocket of my coat when I rode across to Headquarters to assume my
+new authority.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ceremony was very brief.  The retiring Governor, Marshal Perdez, with
+an Aide, met me at the causeway and escorted me to the large audience
+chamber, where His Majesty's formal order was read.  Perdez then
+presented his staff, and the doors were thrown open and I received the
+officers of the Army and Navy on duty at the Capital.  It was all over in
+an hour, and I was alone in my office with Bernheim.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I walked over to a window and stood there, in wondering reflection.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Less than three months ago, I was simply a Major in the American Army,
+with small hope of ever getting beyond a Colonel's eagles.  The "Star"
+was so utterly unlikely that I never even considered the possibility.  It
+was only a rainbow or a mirage; and I was not given to chasing either.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, to-day, I looked down on the crowded Alta Avenue of Dornlitz&mdash;then,
+up at the portrait of my Sovereign&mdash;then, down at my uniform, with a
+Marshal's Insignia on the sleeve and the Princess Royal's note in the
+pocket.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What mirage could have pictured such realities!  What rainbow could have
+appeared more dazzlingly evanescent!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I saw a Victoria approaching.  And in it was the Spencer
+woman&mdash;brilliantly beautiful&mdash;haughtily indifferent.  The passers-by
+stared at her; men stopped and gazed after; even women threw glances over
+their shoulders.  And small wonder&mdash;for, the Devil knows, she was good to
+look upon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As she came opposite me she looked up and our eyes met.  I gave no
+greeting, you may be sure; but she leaned forward sharply and smiled and
+waved her hand.  I gritted my teeth, and would have stepped back, but the
+crowd, following her direction, caught sight of me and a faint cheer went
+up.  The men took off their hats and the women fluttered their kerchiefs.
+I bowed to them and saluted with my hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Damn her!" I said, not knowing I spoke audibly.  Then I remembered
+Bernheim; he was standing at another window.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Colonel," said I, "did you see that woman in the Victoria?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His heels came together with a click.  "Yes, Your Highness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you heard of the occurrence in the Hanging Garden, last night?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Your Highness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, that's the lady," said I.  "What do you think of her?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He hesitated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Speak out," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think it is absolutely incomprehensible how such a woman would lend
+herself to Lotzen's plot," he answered, instantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at him in vast surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So, you have guessed it," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know Lotzen, Your Highness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I motioned to a chair.  "Sit down," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I told him the whole story&mdash;saving only so much as concerned the
+Princess individually.  He was plainly pleased at my confidence&mdash;and I
+learned many things from him, that afternoon, which opened my eyes
+concerning some of the Court officials and Ministers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was exactly six o'clock when Courtney was announced.  Even as he came
+into the room, he drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A copy of the certificate," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I read it very carefully.  In effect, it certified that Patrick McGuire,
+an Alderman of the City of New York, had, on the twenty-first day of
+December, 190&mdash;, in that City, in the presence of John Edwards of said
+City, united in marriage Armand Dalberg, Major, U. S. Army, and Madeline
+Spencer, widow, of Washington, D. C.; there appearing, after due inquiry
+made, to be no legal impediment thereto; and the parties thereto having
+proven, on oath, their identity and their legal age.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, I'm not a lawyer," said I, in disgust; "but this thing sounds
+pretty strong.  I fancy it is about as close as I shall ever come to
+reading my own obituary."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's more than strong," said Courtney: "it's in strict conformity with
+the New York law.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, the license," I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None is required in New York."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I threw up my hands.  "You saw the original certificate?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes.  The lady, herself, had gone out, but had left it with her maid.
+And I have not the least doubt of its genuineness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, we are up to Alderman Patrick McGuire," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I cabled at noon to Washington asking the Department to obtain,
+immediately, full information as to his character and reputation."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Courtney, you're a wonder," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm glad you approve," he answered.  "I thought it well to move at once,
+so the inquiry could be in New York early this morning; and, even if it
+took the whole day to investigate, the answer should be here by midnight
+at the latest."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then, there was a knock on the door and a footman entered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For His Excellency, the American Ambassador," he said, and handed
+Courtney an envelope.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here it is, now," he said.  "Cosgrove has hurried it to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Crossing to my desk he ran a knife under the flap and drew out a
+cablegram, glanced at it an instant, then, gave it to me without comment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was in cipher, of course; but, below it, Cosgrove had written the
+translation.  It read:
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="letter">
+"Individual named was killed last week by car at Twenty-third Street and
+Broadway.  Character and reputation only ordinary.  Integrity very
+doubtful.  A professional ward politician."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+"So," said I.  "Exit the Alderman.  It's a crying pity that car didn't
+get in its work four months ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let us be thankful for what it did do, last week."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One lying mouth stopped," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.  "And only an inferior reputation left to bolster up his
+certificate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked again at the copy.  "I wonder if that car, by any possibility,
+might have hit Witness, John Edwards, too?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney smiled.  "It's dollars to nickels the same blow killed them
+both."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, it's my word against hers and the certificate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not exactly.  It's her word, her beauty and the certificate against your
+word, its corroborating circumstances and her history."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That sounds logical," said I; "and yet, in fact, if there were nothing
+but her word it would still win out for Lotzen.  I may not marry the
+Princess so long as another woman claims to be my wife."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney frowned.  "But, if you prove her a liar by cold facts?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will not suffice," said I.  "All doubt must be removed.  She must
+admit her&mdash;error."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He raised his eyebrows, and out came the cigarette case.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, do you appreciate that, until she does, you will have the
+disagreeable duty of preventing her from departing the Capital&mdash;certainly
+the Kingdom?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Practically that," I admitted.  "I have already directed that she be not
+permitted to leave Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shook his head.  "There, you send me over to the Enemy.  If she appeal
+to the Embassy I may not suffer her to be restrained.  She is an American
+subject."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at all," said I.  "If she be my wife, she is a subject of His
+Majesty, Frederick the Third."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, Major, that's not half bad," he laughed.  "And I'll stand on it,
+too.  So long as the lady claims to be the wife of a Grand Duke of
+Valeria, the American Ambassador will absolutely decline to interfere in
+her behalf."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She may get powerfully tired of having me for a husband," I observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He studied the smoke-rings a bit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wonder just how far it would be well for you to play the husband?" he
+mused.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's that?" I almost shouted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I mean, how far would she be willing to go in this wife business?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God knows&mdash;but the whole way, I fancy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Would it be worth while to bluff her by pretending to acknowledge her
+claim and, then, inviting her to take her place at the head of your
+establishment?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Acknowledge her!  Not for the millionth of a second."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, I mean only before witnesses who understood the scheme."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You don't know the lady, Courtney," I answered.  "She would call the
+bluff instantly&mdash;and do it so well the witnesses, themselves, would be
+deceived and turned against me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Lotzen seems to be uncommonly lucky in his
+leading woman," he observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Devil usually helps his own," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, I hastened to the Palace.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap16"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XVI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE PRINCESS ROYAL SITS AS JUDGE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+Dehra was alone in her library, and she came forward with both hands
+extended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It has been a long day, Armand," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took her hands and kissed first one and then the other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, dear one, it has been a long day," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I led her to a chair and stood before her.  She held up her hands and
+regarded them critically.  Then she looked up at me with quizzical eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You like my hands?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, dear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better than my lips?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, dear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, one might think so.  But, if you don't, then sir, I'm waiting."
+Her peremptoriness was very sweet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had gone there determined to take no lover's privileges until the
+cloud I was under had been removed.  But, what would you!  I was not
+stone, nor ice&mdash;and, no more was the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are a very imperious little sweetheart," I said, and kissed her;
+and whether once or twice or oftener does not matter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She drew me down on the arm of the chair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know what was in your mind, dear," she said; "and it's very good of
+you; yet, we settled all that last night.  I don't care a rap for that
+woman."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I let my fingers stray softly through her hair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not even if she have legal proof I am her husband?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean that certificate," she cut in.  "Have you seen it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Courtney has; and it's very regular and very formidable."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She tossed her head sharply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It certifies a lie.  I wouldn't believe a hundred of them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're a wonder, Dehra; a perfect wonder," I said.  "Why should you
+trust me so?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked up with one of those subduing smiles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't know, dear," she said.  "I have not bothered to analyze it.
+It's enough for me that I do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And enough for me, too, sweetheart," I said and bent and caressed her
+cheek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When I raised my head, the King was standing in the doorway.  I sprang
+up and saluted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I assume you were not expecting me," he remarked, looking straight at
+me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty's logic is faultless," I replied&mdash;and I saw the Princess
+smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He came nearer and let his eyes search my face a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Can you say as much for your conduct just now, my Lord Duke?" he
+demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I gave him look for look.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If judged upon the true facts I can," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He studied me a moment longer; then, motioned to a chair.  As I made to
+take it, Dehra caught my hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sit here, Armand," she commanded, touching the arm of her own chair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I hesitated; and the King regarded her in stern surprise.  Then I
+smiled a negation and went on to the place Frederick had indicated.
+Straightway, Dehra got up and, coming behind me and leaning on the
+chair back, she put her arms about my neck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I reached up and took her hand&mdash;then, arose and stood beside her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You see, Your Majesty," said she, with calm finality, "I know the true
+facts."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For a space, Frederick's face remained absolutely expressionless; then,
+it slowly softened.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It seems to me there are a few facts which I, too, might, possibly, be
+permitted to know," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I breathed a sigh of relief.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was to tell Your Majesty those very facts that I sought an
+audience, this evening," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then a clock began to chime slowly the hour.  The king waited
+until the last stroke&mdash;the seventh&mdash;had sounded, then, he nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am listening, Marshal," he said briskly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It might be that, after one has asked twelve or thirteen fathers for a
+daughter, in marriage, he has got sufficiently hardened to confront the
+fourteenth with, at least, a show of indifference; but, as this was my
+first father, I admit I was a trifle uneasy along the spine; and,
+somehow, my voice seemed to get lost in my throat, and the words were
+very reluctant in coming.  I suppose Frederick saw my embarrassment for
+he smiled broadly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, Armand," he said; "pull up that chair.  I suppose we may not
+smoke here," he added; "though I think I detect the faint suggestion of
+a miserable cigarette," and he looked at the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra took a tiny jeweled case from somewhere about her gown and
+offered it to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will Your Majesty try a Nestor?" she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick shook his head in repugnance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Majesty, most certainly, will not," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But His Majesty's daughter will&mdash;with his permission."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick laughed.  "Or, without it, if need be," he said.  "She is a
+very headstrong young woman, Armand," he observed to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So His Highness has already done himself the honor to tell me," said
+she airily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good!" said the King.  "I admire his pluck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra blew a cloud of smoke at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So do I," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she went over and kissed the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Be nice to Armand," she whispered (but loud enough, for me to hear)
+and left the room, flinging me a farewell from her finger tips, as I
+held back the portière.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And Frederick continued to smile, and my courage grew proportionately.
+I came straight to the point.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"May it please you, Sire," I said, "I have the honor to pray the hand
+of the Princess Royal in marriage."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King's smile faded; and his eyes travelled slowly from my head to
+my feet and back again to my head, for all the world as though I were
+on inspection-parade.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I knew what was in his mind and my courage evaporated instantly.  I
+began to feel like a soldier caught with uniform awry and equipment
+tarnished.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you give me your word, sir, that you are free to marry her?" he
+demanded, suddenly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On my honor, as an officer and a Dalberg," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instantly his manner changed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's quite enough, lad," he said.  "If the Princess wants you&mdash;and
+it would seem she does&mdash;I shall not say her nay.  Maybe, I am rather
+glad to say yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I tried to thank him, but he would not let me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a matter for the two most concerned to arrange," he declared  "I
+never did fancy these loveless royal marriages.  They are very little
+better than false ones."  Then he laughed.  "Tell me about this one of
+yours," he said, "the 'true facts' as you called them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, I told him, in detail, of the supper in the Garden, the astonishing
+accusation of the Spencer woman, and of what I knew concerning her in
+America.  It was a long story, but Frederick's interest never dulled.
+At the end, I handed him the copy of the marriage certificate and the
+cablegram to Courtney.  He read them very carefully; then smoked
+awhile, in silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose you have your own notion as to this woman's motive?" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you care to give it to me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I let him see my hesitation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, I think it is not entirely revenge," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It might even be that she is only playing the cards someone else has
+dealt her," he said significantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled and made no answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They are mighty strong cards, Armand," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And a mighty strong player holds them," I added.  "More's the pity."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He nodded.  "I saw the lady this afternoon in the Park.  I rather fancy
+almost any man would be quite willing to have her claim him as her
+husband."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, therefore, her story will be very generally accepted," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doubtless&mdash;it's far easier to accept it than to disbelieve it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Consequently, if it please you, Sire, let my betrothal to Her Royal
+Highness remain secret until this woman's claim has been thoroughly
+disproved."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick thought a moment.  "You are entirely right," he said; "and,
+particularly, since, under old Henry's Decree, she would be your legal
+wife&mdash;assuming, that is, that you had married her."  Then he smiled.
+"You see, sir, the very thing you were so insistent upon, now works to
+your disadvantage.  If it were not for that Decree you could laugh at
+this woman.  I could simply pronounce her morganatic, and you would be
+quite free to marry Dehra, at once."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I shook my head.  "I must bring Dehra a clean record," I said; "and
+I have no fault to find with that Decree.  But for it, I would not be
+here&mdash;though, neither would Madame Spencer," I added inadvertently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King stared at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You don't think she knows the Decree," he exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think she never heard of the Laws of the Dalbergs," I answered.  "I
+mean that it was my being here that brought her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the King smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What you mean is that she would not be here but for the fact that by
+Henry's Decree she would be your lawful wife and I powerless to
+interfere."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no answer.  I was rather anxious for him to pursue the premise
+to its conclusion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You see where that deduction leads," he went on: "only Dehra and
+Lotzen know the Laws of our House."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I ask Your Majesty to observe that I have made no deduction," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He stopped short and looked at me, a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite right," he said; "and it's proper you should not to me.  But, I
+suppose you will concede it was not the Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Certainly," I agreed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ergo&mdash;it must have been&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I stop at the Princess," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He sat silent, frowning very slightly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If I were quite sure that Lotzen were the instigator of this plot, I
+would remove him utterly from the line of succession and banish him
+from the Kingdom."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought it a proper time for me to be very quiet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In the meantime, however, I shall send that infernal woman packing
+over the border by the quickest route," he said vehemently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I trust not, Sire," I said.  "As Governor of Dornlitz, I gave orders,
+this morning, that she be not permitted to leave the Capital."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, she's an American subject!" he exclaimed.  "She can't be held
+prisoner."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If she's my wife, she's a subject of Your Majesty."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"True!  But why do you want to keep her here?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To give time to investigate her doings since I became an Archduke," I
+said.  "I may not marry Dehra in the face of that certificate and old
+Henry's Decree; and, since the Alderman is dead, only through Madeline
+Spencer herself can the falsity of her claim be shown.  Every moment
+here she must act her part and be under our constant surveillance.
+Sometime, she is sure to make a slip or forget her lines.  But, let her
+be at large and, with plenty of funds at her command, she will be a
+will-o-the-wisp, to be followed over the world for years&mdash;and her slips
+will be few and very far between, and with no one there to note them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," said Frederick; "keep her or send her, as you see
+fit&mdash;only, don't embroil me with America, if you can avoid it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is no danger," I assured him.  "Courtney says he will not
+interfere, so long as she claims to be my wife."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick laughed.  "Courtney's a friend," he said heartily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None better lives," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He lit a fresh cigar and studied the coal, a bit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wish you would tell me," he said, "whether you have any evidence
+connecting Lotzen with this matter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not a scrap nor a syllable," I answered promptly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Has he ever exhibited any ill will toward you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None, whatever.  On the contrary, he has been uniformly courteous and
+considerate&mdash;and I have told you of his action, last night, at the
+supper."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All of which is just what he would do if he were guilty," was the
+answer.  "No, no, Armand; your refusal to implicate Lotzen does you
+credit, but this attack on you comes at such an opportune moment, for
+him, that he may not escape the suspicion which it breeds.  I don't
+want to believe him guilty, yet&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;" and he raised his hands
+expressively.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the portières parted and the Princess stood in the doorway.
+Frederick saw her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come in, Your Highness," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She crossed to him and patted his cheek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you been nice to Armand?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He seemed to think so.  I told him he might have you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You dear old father!" she exclaimed; and slipping to his knee, she
+gave him a long hug.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hold on, daughter; there are two conditions," he said.  "One is that
+you order Armand about, now, instead of your Father."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, don't worry about me, Sire," said she, "I'm quite able to order
+you both."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's not a grain of doubt of that.  But, you would better hold off
+on Armand until you have him safely tied up; he may rue bargain."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fancy I can wait that very short time," she laughed, looking at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, maybe, it won't be a very short time," the King remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She tossed her head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's the woman's privilege to fix the day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which brings me to the second condition," said he; "that, until the
+present wife, which some one seems to have provided for Armand, has
+been eliminated, not only may there be no marriage, but the betrothal,
+itself, must remain a secret with us three."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But she's not his wife!" Dehra exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said the King, "she is not his wife.  If I thought she were,
+there would be no betrothal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra's small foot began to tap the floor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have told Armand I don't care a rap for that woman," she answered.
+"And if, as Your Majesty admits, she is not his wife, why should she be
+permitted to control the situation to her own liking?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King looked at me with an amused smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There, sir," said he, "you see what an unreasonable little woman
+you're seeking to marry."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I leaned forward and took Dehra's hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think I rather like this particular sort of unreasonableness," I
+said.  Then, to her, I added: "But I must endorse His Majesty's second
+condition."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She frowned; then seated herself on one end of the high writing table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am prepared to hear your arguments, messieurs," she said.  "Pray
+proceed and be brief."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King nodded to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have the opening," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, I explained the whole matter, as best I could, and the reasons
+which moved the King and me in our decision as to the betrothal
+remaining secret and the marriage deferred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra heard me through without comment; then she turned to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"May it please your Honoress," said Frederick, "I cannot do more than
+endorse and support all that my colleague has so ably presented.  We
+appeal to the Court's well-known sense of propriety, and throw
+ourselves upon her mercy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We have been much impressed by the argument of the learned counsel,"
+said Dehra, in formal tones, "and, while not agreeing with all that it
+contained, yet, we are disposed to regard it, in the main, as sound.
+The second condition is therefore sustained.&mdash;But, I wish I could tell
+that woman what I think of her!" she exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"God forbid!" the King ejaculated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dehra went over and kissed him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're a dear," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, she came across to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And what is he?" asked Frederick, with a laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She drew back quickly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"According to his argument, he is only my cousin, the Grand Duke
+Armand," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, you said you did not agree with part of my argument," I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Did I?&mdash;Well, then, that must have been the part," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King arose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think it's time for me to go," he said.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap17"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XVII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+PITCH AND TOSS
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+The following morning, I cabled a detective agency, in New York, giving
+them all the material facts in the case and requesting them to make an
+exhaustive investigation of the movements of Madeline Spencer during
+the period intervening between my confirmation as an Archduke and her
+sailing for Europe.  I told them I required evidence, promptly, to
+disprove the marriage, and gave them <I>carte blanche</I> in its gathering.
+At the same time, I wired a prominent Army officer, at Governor's
+Island, to vouch for my order.  I wanted no time lost while the Agency
+was investigating me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course, the natural method would have been to direct the Valerian
+Ambassador, at Washington, to procure the information; but, I felt
+quite sure, that would simply be playing into Lotzen's hand.  Some one
+in the Embassy would be very willing to oblige the Heir Presumptive by
+betraying me.  And it was only reasonable to suppose the Duke had
+already arranged for it.  It was one of those "trifles" which, as
+Courtney had said, would not be overlooked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+About noon, Bernheim came in with a card in his fingers and a queer
+smile about his firm-set lips.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took the card.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The devil!" I exclaimed.  Then I looked at Bernheim.  "What's the
+move, now?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is what I tried to find out, sir," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And failed?'
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Completely.  And, yet, I didn't dare to dismiss her without your
+direct order."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As she well knew."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And as she had the effrontery to tell me," he added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "And did it very prettily, too, I'll wager."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite too prettily.  'Come, Colonel Bernheim,' she said, looking me
+straight in the eyes, and smiling sweetly enough to turn most any man's
+head, 'you want to refuse to let me see the Marshal, but, you know
+perfectly well, you dare not.  He might be glad for a word with me in
+private; and then, again, he might not&mdash;but you don't know and you are
+afraid to risk it.  <I>Voilà</I>!'  And then she laughed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit
+her&mdash;Stay a moment&mdash;could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only by leaving the door ajar."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, do what you can," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used
+none.  He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madame, His Royal Highness will receive you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are most kind, Colonel Bernheim," she said, in her sweetest tones,
+as she passed him; "I owe you many thanks."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You owe me none, madame," was the rather gruff answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he went out, and closed the door with altogether unnecessary vigor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned and looked after him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What a great bear he is, Armand," she said, with a confidential air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stiffened.  "You wished to see me, Mrs. Spencer," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "Still denying me, are you?" she rippled&mdash;"And even in
+your own private office!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at her, in silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Please don't trouble to offer me a chair, dear," she went on; "this
+one looks comfortable,"&mdash;then calmly seated herself, and began to draw
+off her gloves.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The cool assurance of the woman was so absurd I had to smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fancy it would be quite superfluous to offer you anything that
+chanced to be within your reach," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Certainly, dear, when, at the same time, it chances to be my
+husband's," she answered, and fell to smoothing out her gloves.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, come!" I exclaimed.  "What's the sense in keeping up the farce?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What farce, Armand, dear?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That I am your husband," I answered curtly.  Her 'dears' and her
+'Armands' were getting on my nerves.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Her face took on an injured look.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Judging from your action, the other night and now, it would be well
+for me if it were a farce," she said sadly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I walked over to the table, on the far side of which she sat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is it possible, madame, that, here, alone with me, you still have the
+effrontery to maintain you are my wife?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She put her elbows on the table and, resting her chin in her hands,
+looked me straight in the eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And do you, sir, here, alone with me, still have the effrontery to
+maintain that I am not your wife?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's not necessary," said I, "for you know it quite as well as I do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "You're a good bit of a brute, Armand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you're a&mdash;&mdash;" I began quickly&mdash;then stopped.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes?" she inflected.  "I am a&mdash;&mdash;?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I leave the blank to your own filling," I said, with a bow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed gayly.  "Do you know you have played this scene very
+nicely, my dear," she said.  "If Colonel Bernheim has chanced to stay
+close enough to the door, he so neatly slammed ajar, he has heard all
+that we have said.  Though, whether it was by your order or due to his
+own curiosity, I, of course, do not know.  Either way, however, you
+scored with him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was so sure that Bernheim would now be far enough away from the door
+that I reached across and flung it back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ante-room was empty, and, through its open doorway, we could see
+Bernheim and Moore coming slowly down the corridor and twenty feet away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she only laughed again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which simply proves Colonel Bernheim's wonderful agility," she said.
+"He must be a most valuable Aide."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I closed the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are drifting from the point," I said.  "You did me the honor to
+request an interview."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not exactly, my dear Armand.  I sought admittance to my husband."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By 'husband' you mean&mdash;&mdash;?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled tolerantly.  "By all means, keep up the play," she said;
+"but we shall save time and energy by assuming that, whenever I speak
+of my husband, I mean you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I take it, we may also assume that you did not seek such admission to
+me for the sole pleasure of looking at me?" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite right, Armand; though there was a time&mdash;and not so long
+ago&mdash;-when we both were more than glad to look at each other.&mdash;And,
+maybe, I have not changed."  And she leaned forward and smiled with the
+frankness of a sweet-faced child.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made a gesture of repugnance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For Heaven's sake, madame, lay aside this simulated sentiment and be
+good enough to come to the point."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The point?&mdash;the point?" she replied absently.  "True, I was
+forgetting&mdash;the sight of you, dear, always stirs me so.  I came here
+very angry with you, and, now, I have almost forgiven you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I put my finger on the electric button, and Colonel Moore responded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mrs. Spencer desires her carriage," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave him one of her sweetest smiles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's too bad, Colonel Moore, that I am always imposed upon you when
+your chief sends me from his august presence;" and she held out her
+hand to him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Moore's bow over it was positively blarneying in its deference.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is a great pleasure, I assure you," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head at him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rather <I>double entendre</I>, Colonel."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madame knows it was not so meant," was the quick reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave him a glance of amused indifference; then arose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And Your Royal Highness does not wish to hear my particular errand?"
+she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No more than before you&mdash;entered," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Intruded, you mean."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Possibly, that would be more accurate," I admitted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave a sarcastic laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your royalty seems to have been fatal to your courtesy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At least, there is one particular instance in which it seems to have
+increased my forbearance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gathered up her skirts, as though to go&mdash;then turned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And that instance is myself?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your intuition is marvellous," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She sat down on the chair arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, why do you forbear, my dear?" she said.  "If I am not your wife,
+why don't you do something to prove it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What, for example?" I inquired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "How ingenious you are, Armand!  You would
+even have me believe that, having decided to deny me, you did not,
+also, arrange how to proceed when I appeared."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Mrs. Spencer, I said, the other night, that you were a great
+actress; permit me to repeat it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is very easy to act the truth, Armand," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And your appearance in Dornlitz is, I suppose, in the interest of
+truth?" I mocked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at me very steadily, a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At any rate, you must admit it was well for truth and decency that I
+did appear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We but waste each other's time, Mrs. Spencer," I answered curtly, and
+nodded to Moore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she gave no heed to the Aide's proffered arm.  She did not even
+glance at him, but leaned back on the chair, swinging her foot and
+looking as insolently tantalizing as possible.  It was a very pretty
+pose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I may be very stupid, Armand," she said, "but, I cannot understand
+why, if my presence in Dornlitz is so annoying to you, you prevent me
+leaving it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.  "At last," said I, "we are coming to the point."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As though you hadn't guessed it from the first," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unfortunately, I have not Mrs. Spencer's keenness of intuition," I
+returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She glanced over at my desk.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Governor of Dornlitz needs none.  Official reports are better than
+intuition."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But not so rapid," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "I was looking at the telephone," she said dryly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"An admirable medium for unpleasant conversations," I observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Particularly, between husband and wife, you mean."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I answered with a shrug.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, also, between the city gates and headquarters," she continued.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are pleased to speak in riddles," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She let herself sink, with sinuous grace, into the chair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I sighed, with suggestive audibility, and waited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a good deal of a cat and dog business&mdash;and the cat was having
+all the fun&mdash;and knew it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I could not well have her dragged from the room; and the other
+alternative&mdash;to leave, myself&mdash;was not to my taste.  It looked too much
+like flight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wish you would explain why I am not permitted to leave Dornlitz,"
+she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have you been restrained from leaving?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Still pretending ignorance, my dear," she laughed.  "Well, then, I was
+refused exit at the North gate this morning; and that, though I was
+only going for a short drive in the country."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why didn't you try another gate?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I did&mdash;three others."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With similar results?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Absolutely."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Therefore, you inferred?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing, my dear Armand, nothing.  I know.  At one of the gates, the
+officer condescended to tell me that he was acting under the express
+order of Field Marshal, His Royal Highness the Governor of Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And he told you the truth," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course he did," she laughed.  "I never doubted it.  What I want to
+know is your reason for the order."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And that is what brought you here?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That&mdash;and the pleasure of seeing my dear husband," she drawled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll make a bargain with you, Mrs. Spencer," I said: "My motive for
+the order, in exchange, in strict confidence, for your motive for
+coming to Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course, I had no notion she would disclose the actual motive in the
+plot.  What I was after was the story they had prepared to explain why
+I came to Valeria alone and left her to follow and, in the interim,
+posed as a bachelor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, Armand, you're not serious!" she exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I never was more so," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But why should you want me to tell you something you already know?"
+she asked&mdash;with a quick glance at Moore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, come!" said I; "Colonel Moore is totally deaf, at times.  I
+promise your secret shall remain within this room."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>My</I> secret!" she laughed.  "Really, Armand, you are delicious."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't quite understand," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed again.  "It seems to me that why I followed you to Valeria,
+instead of coming with you, is, particularly, your secret.  You
+wouldn't care for His Majesty to know it, would you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If it's my secret," said I, "don't you think I ought to be let into
+it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She thought a moment&mdash;evidently considering how much she should reveal
+to me.  Of course, she understood what I wanted and why; but this order
+of mine, restricting her within the Capital, had evidently been totally
+unexpected, and she was set upon having some explanation of it.  Hence,
+she was ready to bargain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come!" said I.  "In this game you're playing, you will have to
+disclose it very soon, anyway."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, it seems so silly, Armand, to tell you what you yourself
+arranged."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!  So I arranged for your coming!" I exclaimed.  "I suppose I also
+arranged for what you have done since you've been here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled sweetly.  "Not quite all, my dear.  I've been arranging a
+few things myself, thanks to your perfidy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are getting away from the main point," I said.  "You were about to
+tell me why you came to Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She arose languidly, and began to draw on her gloves.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, was I?  Well, then, I've changed my mind."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I bid you good-day, Mrs. Spencer," I said, and turned away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave a light laugh.  "Aren't you glad to be rid of me, dear?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I faced about.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very," I said bluntly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She put out a hand, as though to ward off a blow, and her face flushed,
+an instant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Armand, my dear&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;" she began.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I turned my back and walked toward the window.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, there came the rustle of silk behind me&mdash;a soft arm was flung
+about my neck, and a tear-choked voice exclaimed:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Haven't you one kind word for me, dear?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I reached up and put her arm sharply aside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It seems to me, madame, there has been enough of this nonsense," I
+said.  "There is no gallery here to play to, as you had in the Hanging
+Garden."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She studied my face a moment&mdash;drawing her tiny lace handkerchief
+nervously from hand to hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I must ask you to leave my office immediately," I went on.  "If you
+decline, I shall leave and not return until you have gone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She slowly drew herself up, and stepped back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And this is your last word to your wife?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is my last word to you, Mrs. Spencer," I said curtly.  "Are you
+going&mdash;or shall I?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She swept me a bit of a courtesy, smiling the while.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am going, my dear Armand, I am going&mdash;but it is only <I>au revoir</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed stiffly, and motioned to Moore to escort her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He swung open the door&mdash;then stopped short.  Just entering the
+ante-room, from the corridor, were the King, the Princess Royal, and
+the American Ambassador.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instantly, Mrs. Spencer drew back, and gave me a mocking smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've changed my mind again, dear," she said.  "I'll make that trade of
+motives, now."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap18"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XVIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+ANOTHER ACT IN THE PLAY
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+I hastened to the door, saluted the King, and greeted the Princess and
+Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am honored over much," I said&mdash;then watched their actions, as they
+saw Mrs. Spencer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick stopped short, frowned, then turned to me interrogatingly.
+Courtney raised his eyebrows, bowed to Mrs. Spencer, and, then, gave me
+a quizzical smile.  Dehra flouted her enemy with one of those
+deliberately ignoring stares; then, she smiled at me, and went over and
+sat down at my desk.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meanwhile, Mrs. Spencer stood near the table; one hand resting on it,
+the other holding up her gown.  The attitude was most becoming and
+effective&mdash;and she knew it.  So far as her bearing showed, the
+situation was the most natural imaginable.  And, chancing to catch my
+eye, she actually gave me her most fetching smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She got a stare in answer, and I turned to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have told Your Majesty of a Mrs. Spencer, who claims to be my wife,"
+I said.  "She has sought an audience with the Governor of Dornlitz, and
+demanded to know why orders have been issued that she be refused exit
+from the city.  I offered to explain, if she, on her part, would
+disclose her reasons for coming to Valeria.  She refused, and was about
+to depart, when, seeing Your Majesty, she suddenly changed her mind and
+agreed to bargain.  Have we your permission to proceed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King understood the situation, instantly&mdash;and I could detect a bit
+of a smile under his grey moustache.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Be seated, madame," he said.  "I am interested&mdash;unless, of course, you
+do not care for us to hear it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She dropped him a wonderful courtesy&mdash;acquired, doubtless, in her
+French Convent school.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty is more than welcome to every word of my story," she
+answered, with ready frankness.  "The Grand Duke Armand knows it quite
+as well as I; though he affects otherwise, because it pleases him to
+pretend that I am not his wife."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear madame," the King said, "you are not to tell me anything.  You
+are simply graciously permitting me to be present when you carry out
+the bargain you have just made with the Governor of Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled very sweetly at the King; then, turned to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will you begin, Armand," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed.  "After you, madame," said I.  "And, perchance, when I have
+heard your story, I may revoke the order."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled disdainfully&mdash;then, addressed the King:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I consented to this exchange only because Your Majesty would, thus,
+hear at least some truth as to this marriage.  I confess, however, I am
+surprised that Major Dalberg permits it to be disclosed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned to me with affected hesitation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you quite sure, Armand, you really want me to tell it?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "You play it very cleverly, Mrs. Spencer," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her shoulders most expressively.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On your head be it, then," she answered.  Then, addressing the King,
+she went on.  "When it was determined that Major Dalberg was to be the
+American Military Attaché with the Valerian Army, he told me, for the
+first time, of his kinship to Your Majesty.  On my insistent urging, he
+then decided to make a bid for your favor, to the end that you might
+acknowledge his birth and restore to him the lost estates and titles of
+his ancestor, Prince Hugo.  Apprehending, however, that Your Majesty
+would look with more kindness upon him as a bachelor than as a married
+man, it was arranged that I should remain in America.  Then, as soon as
+the scheme had either succeeded or definitely failed, I was to be sent
+for."  She turned and looked at me.  "It is rather needless to say&mdash;in
+view of Monsieur Armand's present attitude toward me&mdash;that he never
+sent for me.  But I saw the accounts, in the daily Press, of the
+wonderful story of an American Army Officer, Armand Dalberg, being, in
+truth, a Prince of Valeria; and how he had been so accepted and
+proclaimed by the King.  I waited two weeks and more&mdash;for word from my
+husband&mdash;then I came hither&mdash;and met the kind reception he gave me in
+the Hanging Garden."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She paused an instant; then spoke to me:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is there anything material that I have omitted?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Naturally, I do not know, Mrs. Spencer," I answered; "but, judging
+from your marvellous power of&mdash;invention, I should fancy not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned aside the thrust with a smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The bargain is, now, with you, monsieur," she said.  "I await the
+explanation of your order."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is very simple, Mrs. Spencer," I said curtly; "so simple, indeed, I
+am quite sure you guessed it, long ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Her smile still lingered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The bargain, sir, the bargain!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I issued the order, madame, because you have falsely proclaimed
+yourself my wife, and I intend to confine your acting as such within
+the limits of this town.  So long as you pose as my wife you will never
+pass the gates of Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In other words, I am to be prisoner for life," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is for you to determine," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She studied my face, a bit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose you want me to consent to a divorce," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Divorce implies marriage," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head and smiled tolerantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I really can't promise to die just to accommodate Your Highness," she
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And that suggests the inquiry, Your Majesty," she said; "as the wife
+of the Prince Armand am I not a Grand Duchess of Valeria and a Royal
+Highness?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Surely, the woman's impudence was almost beyond belief!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the King was very courteous.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Decree of Restoration applies only to the Grand Duke Armand," he
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I remain, simply, Mrs. Armand Dalberg?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You remain exactly what you were before the Decree was signed," he
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Since I am to live in Dornlitz the rest of my days, where is it your
+gracious purpose that I reside&mdash;in the Epsau Palace or where?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Except to assure you it will not be in the Epsau, it is no concern of
+mine where you live," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, it will be the Hotel Metzen&mdash;and, of course, the bill will be
+sent to you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, no, it won't," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely!" she exclaimed, "you can't intend to hold me prisoner, and,
+then, oblige me to provide my own subsistence."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your subsistence, Mrs. Spencer, is not my affair," I said, "since the
+length of your enforced detention in Dornlitz is optional with
+yourself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mean?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I mean, that when you admit I am not and never was your husband, and
+that the marriage certificate is false, that instant you are free to
+depart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am willing to permit you to obtain a divorce," she said, "but I may
+not deny the truth of the certificate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," said I.  "I trust you will enjoy your stay in Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She swung around toward Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are the American Ambassador, are you not, monsieur?" she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney answered by a bow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, I ask if you will suffer an American citizen to be kept prisoner
+by the Valerian authorities without trial or legal judgment?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not for a moment, madame," said Courtney, instantly, and with a quick
+smile at the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You would protest?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Most strenuously&mdash;and so would Washington."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at me with a triumphant sneer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You hear, Your Highness!" she exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "I hear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I presume I am now at liberty to depart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"From the room?&mdash;undoubtedly," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you&mdash;I mean from Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Whenever you will," said I; "on the terms I gave you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned, again, to Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I appeal to Your Excellency for protection."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Upon what basis, madame?" he asked formally.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked surprised.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As an American subject," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And under what name?" Courtney asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My rightful one, of course," she laughed: "Madeline Dalberg."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Wife of the Grand Duke Armand?" he went on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, monsieur&mdash;who else?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That, madame, if you will pardon, is the material point.  As wife of a
+Valerian Prince you are a subject of His Majesty, Frederick the Third,
+and the American Government has no jurisdiction to interfere."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, His Majesty has just said I was not comprehended in the Decree
+restoring my husband," she objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, I can speak only according to the doctrine of the United
+States," said Courtney.  "It asks only if you are the wife of a
+foreigner.  If you are, then, his citizenship determines yours."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gave Courtney a sarcastic smile, and addressed the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will Your Majesty tell me wherein the Valerian doctrine differs from
+the American?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is precisely similar," said Frederick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She leaned forward.  "Then, though not an Archduchess, I am,
+nevertheless, a subject of Your Majesty," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King frowned.  "My dear madame," he said, "questions of citizenship
+are not presented to me, originally.  They are passed upon by the
+proper Department of my Government and reach me, only, in case of
+peculiarly extraordinary circumstances."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She arose, and went close over to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty has heard me appeal for protection to the Ambassador of
+my native land and be refused, because I was no longer an American
+citizen," she began.  "And you, yourself, have practically admitted he
+was correct, and that I am a Valerian subject.  Therefore, I demand
+that freedom of action which is granted to all your citizens, and that
+the order of the Governor of Dornlitz be revoked."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick looked at her sternly for a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pray be seated, madame," he said; "and permit me to observe that, if
+you are my subject, your manner of address is scarcely respectful to
+your King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do not desire to be disrespectful," she replied; "but, if I am your
+subject, I have the undoubted right to the protection of your laws.  I
+ask Your Majesty if I am receiving that protection?  I ask Your Majesty
+if those laws permit one, unaccused of any crime or wrong-doing, to be
+held prisoner within the limits of a town?  I ask Your Majesty if those
+laws sanction such an order as your Governor, yonder, has made
+respecting me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was just the proper touch of dignified indignation and feminine
+pathos.  Indeed, I never saw this rather remarkable woman act her part
+better than in that short speech.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King looked at her, for a bit, in silence&mdash;though, whether he was
+admiring her as a beautiful woman or as an artistic impersonator, I
+could not make out.  Doubtless, it was something of both.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As simple abstract propositions, my dear madame," he said, presently,
+"your questions, as put, are entitled to negative replies.  But, when
+they are applied to the actual facts in the case, as just given by you,
+there is a vast difference.  If you are the lawfully wedded wife of the
+Grand Duke Armand, there is nothing illegal in the order you complain
+of.  In Valeria, the husband has lawful authority, upon proper cause,
+to restrain his wife within even smaller limits than are prescribed for
+you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, where, in my case, is there any proper cause?" she demanded.
+"Besides, he avers I am not his wife&mdash;therefore, he can have no
+authority over me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King smiled.  "My dear madame, you forget that it is you who insist
+upon submitting yourself to his authority."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That may be, Sire; yet, I appeal to your sense of fairness.  Should he
+be permitted to exercise a husband's authority to imprison me, and, at
+the same time, deny that he is my husband?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course, theoretically, she was in the right.  My action was, in that
+particular, utterly inconsistent with my position and protestations.
+For a moment, I was a trifle uneasy as to the King's answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But he brushed it lightly aside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The circumstances of the case are so extraordinary, madame, that I
+fear it cannot well be judged by the usual standard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled very sweetly.  "Which means that I am to be held to the
+strict obligations of my position, but that the Grand Duke Armand can
+perpetrate any inconsistency he choose."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King smiled back at her.  "I do not doubt that His Royal Highness
+will be most happy to be relieved of the necessity for being
+inconsistent," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good!" she exclaimed.  "I am ready to leave Dornlitz and Valeria this
+very day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King turned to me, interrogatingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, you admit you are not Madeline Dalberg?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On the contrary, I re-affirm it; but, I offer you a divorce."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders and made no reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You see, Sire," she said, "how reasonable he is.  He condescends to be
+consistent only if, by forcing me to perjure myself, he can further
+his&mdash;schemes"&mdash;and she deliberately turned and looked at the Princess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stepped quickly between them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed scornfully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How like you, Armand," she said.  "It's only a short while since you
+were just as thoughtful for me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was too angry to reply, but she could read my thoughts in my eyes.
+And she answered them with a taunting smile and a toss of her head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So there was silence, for a space; then, she spoke to Courtney:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I understand.  Your Excellency refuses me your protection because I am
+a Valerian subject?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney bowed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Made so by your own statements," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And Your Majesty refuses to interfere between the Governor of Dornlitz
+and me, because, as his wife, I am subject to his authority?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In effect, yes," said Frederick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you, my Lord Armand, declare that I am not your wife and,
+therefore, that I am an American subject?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think, Mrs. Spencer, we have gone over that matter <I>ad nauseam</I>," I
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I grant you the nauseousness," she retorted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A bare-faced lie may not be over chary as to the defence it provokes,"
+I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She gathered up her skirts, and turned toward the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What a pretty sight you three are," she sneered.  "A King, an
+Ambassador and a Royal Archduke playing with one poor woman like cats
+with a mouse.  Truly, sirs, you should have lived three hundred years
+ago.  You would have shown rare skill in the torture chambers of the
+Holy Inquisition."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'Pon my soul, madame!" Frederick exclaimed, "I'm glad to hear a frank
+opinion of myself.  It's a privilege that rarely comes to a King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"More's the pity for the King," she replied.  "And more's the shame for
+his selfish advisers," and she looked at Courtney, and, then, at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Have I Your Majesty's permission to depart&mdash;to my hotel?" she ended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King nodded, without replying.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She swept him another of those wonderful curtsies; then turned to
+Moore, who swung back the door for her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the threshold she looked back and smiled at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Au revoir</I>, Armand, dear, <I>au revoir</I>," she said almost caressingly;
+"you will come back to me soon, I know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before I could frame an answer she was gone.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap19"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XIX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+MY COUSIN, THE DUKE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+For the next few weeks, matters went along without any particular
+incident.  The snarl, in which I was entangled, showed no signs of
+unravelling, and my marriage to the Princess and the Royal succession
+seemed farther away than ever.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The investigations, in the United States, had yielded nothing of any
+utility.  Indeed, they had been practically barren, for they had told
+me little more than Courtney's cablegram.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Edwards, the witness named in the certificate, had not been located,
+though New York had been scraped as with a fine-tooth comb; so, it was
+safe to assume his existence was only on paper and in Alderman
+McGuire's brain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The movements of Madeline Spencer had been very difficult to trace, as
+was entirely natural&mdash;for what hotel servant would remember, weeks
+after, the doings of a woman guest, whose life had been at all regular.
+All that could be ascertained, definitely, was that she had sailed from
+New York ten days prior to her arrival at Dornlitz; and that she had
+registered as Mrs. Armand Dalberg at the Waldorf a week before sailing;
+her luggage having been checked there from Philadelphia.  The
+floor-clerk and some of the pages recalled her very readily, and were
+rather positive that they had not seen any foreigner with her, who
+resembled a Valerian.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That was about the extent of the detectives' discoveries; for
+Philadelphia yielded absolutely nothing, beyond the fact that she had
+been at one of the Broad Street hotels, for a fortnight, prior to
+coming to New York; and, before that, in Pittsburgh, Washington, and
+New York; the last corresponding, in date, to my interview with her,
+there, in December.  At none of these places, could any traces be
+discovered of an emissary of Lotzen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Nor did the investigations at this end, conducted for me by Courtney's
+secret agents, yield anything more satisfactory.  During the period, in
+question, the Duke had not been away from the Capital for over three
+days at any one time, and none of his suite had been absent longer than
+a week.  Nevertheless, I was none the less positive that there had been
+some sort of communication between Madeline Spencer, in America, and
+the Duke of Lotzen, in Valeria, in response to which she was here.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, it seemed Courtney was correct, as usual.  He had predicted that
+nothing would be found by the detectives; because, as he said, it was
+just a case in which all tracks would be most effectively covered by
+doing everything in the most ordinary way&mdash;and, apparently, that was
+just what had been done.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There seemed to be nothing but to cultivate patience and settle down to
+wait for someone to blunder, or for the lady to get tired of her
+enforced residence in Dornlitz, and begin to get restless, and do
+something which would give us a clue to work on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She had retained her apartments at the Hotel Metzen&mdash;the management
+having, however, addressed me as to my pleasure, in the matter&mdash;and, at
+least, once every day, she had sought to pass some one of the City
+gates; and, when refused, would then demand exit as the wife of the
+Grand Duke Armand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She drove and rode and walked about the town the cynosure of all
+eyes&mdash;and some of them of admiring men, who would have been very ready,
+doubtless, to start a flirtation; both for their own pleasure and in
+the hope of gaining my good will by discrediting her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But, she would have none of them, and went her way with the serene
+blindness of an honest woman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the hotel, she bore herself with the quiet dignity and reserve
+suitable to her assumed position.  With the guests, particularly
+Americans, she was frankly gracious and friendly; but, it was evident,
+she sought no sympathy and wanted no confidants.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All these details came to me in the reports of the Secret Police.  I
+saw her very frequently on the street; passing her both on the sidewalk
+and on horseback.  And if she were pining for the newly wedded husband,
+who had forsaken and denied her, she most assuredly did not show it.
+Nor did her impudence diminish.  Whenever she saw me she tried to catch
+my eye.  Several times it happened she was watching me when I first
+observed her; then, like a flash, she would bow and smile with the air
+of the most intimate camaraderie.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course, I pointedly ignored her, but it had no effect; for the next
+time her greeting was only the more effusively intimate.  Naturally,
+the people stared.  I felt sure they winked at one another knowingly,
+when my back was turned.  The whole situation was intensely irritating
+and growing more so every day; and my patience, never long at best,
+must have been a trifle uncertain for those around me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I think I am not an unjust man, by nature; but some provocations would
+make even the best tempers quick and squally.  And, then, what is the
+good of being an Archduke, if one may not flare out occasionally!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was a bit lonely, too.  The King was in the North and the Princess
+was with him&mdash;and so, for a time, was Lotzen, I happened to know;
+though I understood he had, now, left them and was returning to
+Dornlitz.  I wished him a long journey and a slow one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His suave courtesy was becoming unbearable; and my sorest trial was to
+receive it calmly and to meet it in kind.  Truly, if he had found a
+brilliant leading woman in Madeline Spencer, he had an equally
+brilliant leading man in himself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was no possible match for him; and I could feel the sneer behind his
+smile.  I wanted to give him a good body beating&mdash;and I was sure he
+knew it, and that it only amused him.  I could, now, quite understand
+the rage which makes a man walk up to another and smash him in the face
+without a word of preliminary.  I would have given five years of life
+to do that to Lotzen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, instead, I had to smile&mdash;and smile&mdash;and smile.  Bah! it makes me
+shiver.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He must have fancied I wished him a long absence, for he returned with
+astonishing promptness.  I saw him the next afternoon in the Officers'
+Club&mdash;and our greeting was almost effusive.  In fact, if anything were
+required to prove how intensely we despised each other, this
+demonstrative cordiality supplied it.  It was so hollow it fairly
+resounded with derision.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll ride over to Headquarters with you," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm walking," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good, I'll walk, too," he replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, we set out&mdash;the orderly following with the Duke's horse.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"When did you come in?" I asked&mdash;knowing perfectly well the very hour
+of his arrival.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Last night, on the Express from the North," he answered&mdash;knowing that
+I already knew it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Had a good time, of course?" I remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Delightful&mdash;we wished for you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's astonishing how kind you all are to the stranger," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shot a quick glance at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We don't regard you as a stranger, my dear cousin," he protested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I believe you," said I.  "Judged by the way His Majesty and the
+Princess, and you have treated me, the heir of Hugo might never have
+lived beyond the Kingdom."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This brought another look.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Dalbergs don't do things by halves," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So I have noticed, cousin.  I only trust I can live up to it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed.  "You promise very well, Armand, very well, indeed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am glad," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When we reached Headquarters, I suggested that he come up to my office
+and smoke a cigar.  I thought he would decline.  But, there, I erred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thanks," said he, "I'll join you as soon as I've registered," and he
+turned down the corridor toward the Adjutant General's office.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On my desk was a wire from the Princess.  She and the King would reach
+Dornlitz the next morning and I was expected to lunch at the Palace.  I
+dispatched an answer that would meet the Royal train en route, and
+thought of Lotzen with indifference&mdash;almost.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When he came, I was going through a batch of papers which had just been
+brought in for my signature.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't let me disturb you," he said heartily.  "Finish the miserable
+red tape."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He chose a cigar and, having lighted it, with the careful attention he
+seemed to give to the smallest matters, he sauntered to the window that
+overlooked the Avenue.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently, he glanced around at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I went on with my work.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he glanced again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I signed the last of the papers, pushed them aside and arose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mrs. Spencer is about to pass," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I trust so," said I.  "I'm sure I've no desire for her to stop."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, suddenly, he frowned&mdash;and made a short bow.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She had the impudence to speak to me," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled and made no comment.  For the life of me, I could not
+determine if his surprise were natural or assumed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He crossed to a front window and watched her out of sight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is no discounting her beauty," he remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was silent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He came over, and dropped into a chair on the other side of the table.
+It was just where Mrs. Spencer had sat, and, so, a very fit place for
+him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She must be a most extraordinary woman," he observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yet, what I can't understand, is what she hopes to gain by
+masquerading, here, as your wife."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at him and waited.  He was steering into strange waters, it
+seemed to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, if she had done it in Paris, or Vienna, or any place outside of
+Valeria," he went on, "one could see the temporary profit of it.  But,
+to come to Dornlitz and dare it under your very nose!"&mdash;he flung up his
+hands.  "She is a bit too much for me!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I saw his drift, now.  He wanted to know if I suspected him; and, to
+that end, was quite willing to match his wit against mine.  His
+contempt for my discernment was not, especially, flattering; but,
+sometimes, it does no harm to be taken for a fool&mdash;if one is not.  And
+I was conceited enough to consider myself the latter.  Which, however,
+may only have proven that Lotzen was right.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And for me, too, at present," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At present?" he echoed, blowing a succession of smoke rings and
+watching them float away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.  "She will get tired of the game, presently, and quit."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She has stuck to it rather persistently," he observed; "and crossed
+the seas to play it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "she did just that; yet she is none the less liable to
+quit abruptly to-morrow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That would interest him, I thought.  It did.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are judging from experience?" he asked, rather quickly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've known the lady for a few years," I laughed, "and I've yet to find
+her true either to herself or to the hand that paid her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was characteristic of the man that, at these last words, he made no
+quick glance at my face.  Instead, he studied the end of his cigar.
+When he did look at me, it was in the perfectly natural way of asking a
+question.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I got a start.  He suddenly struck straight from the shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By 'the hand that paid her,' you mean?" he asked&mdash;and now, his eyes
+were fairly drilling into mine.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took on a look of surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What does it usually mean?" I answered, with a bit of a shrug.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He either had to appear to accept the inference in this answer or else
+ask me blankly if I meant that Mrs. Spencer was in his employ.  He
+chose the former.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is very difficult to associate such a beautiful woman with the
+<I>demi-monde</I>," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yet, Saint Anthony would stand no chance with her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at me with an amused smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I assume you lay no claims to even ordinary saintship?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None, whatever, my dear Duke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Possibly, you avoided situations which might put you to the test?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Possibly," I laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are more of a Saint than you imagine," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shook my head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Colonel Spencer was my friend," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And his wife&mdash;and widow would have been&mdash;yours&mdash;and you would not;
+<I>n'est ce pas</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So, that's the motive for it, is it.  'Hell hath no fury like a woman
+scorned,'" he quoted.  It was meant as a question, however.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I appeared to hesitate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Revenge, sometimes, does take queer forms," I said tentatively.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you, too, think this is revenge?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What other motive could she have?" I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He closed his eyes, a moment; lest, I suppose, his amused contempt
+would shine out so plainly that even stupid I would see it.  He was
+sure, now, he had been right in deeming me too heavy-witted to suspect
+him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It might be blackmail," he suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, she is a very long time in naming her price," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"True; but, maybe, she is enjoying Dornlitz," he laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed, too.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's none of my business, of course, Armand," he went on, "but, why
+don't you run her out of the Kingdom, instead of keeping her in by
+force."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm waiting for her to get tired of the game and quit."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He thought a bit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe, I can help you," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had not Lotzen's gift of imperturbability but I did my best not to
+show my surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are very kind," I answered; "though I don't see what you can do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I may take it you have no particular&mdash;regard for the lady?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Indeed, you may!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So you would have no objection to someone making a&mdash;try at her?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None whatever, I assure you.  As many someones and as many tries as
+you wish&mdash;and may they all win."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, you're a trifle too generous," said he.  "I've taken rather a shy
+at her myself and&mdash;you understand?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought I did&mdash;but not as he meant me to.  What he wanted was liberty
+to communicate, at will, directly with the lady, without arousing
+suspicion or seeming to side against me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shut one eye, and looked at him as though in sly comprehension.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, how will that help me?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In this way," said he.  "You think she is tired of her game and about
+ready to quit.  I come along; and she tosses you over and seizes the
+new prey.  I'll tell her plainly she cannot have me so long as there is
+any question about her being your wife."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, won't it raise a nasty scandal?" I objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not a bit," he said, with a knowing smile.  "We have ways to do such
+things, you know.  I have a Chateau near the French Border&mdash;the lady
+leaves for Paris&mdash;and goes by way of the Chateau.  <I>Comprenez vous</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I wanted to laugh in his face.  What a charming scheme to get Mrs.
+Spencer out of the Kingdom!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, suppose," said I, "she cuts the Chateau and keeps right on to
+Paris?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Trust me, my dear Marshal, she won't cut the Chateau.  I shall be with
+her when she leaves Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know the lady," said I.  "I'm afraid to risk it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He tossed aside his cigar and lit a fresh one.  "Very well, cousin," he
+said, with an air of good-natured indifference.  "It's your affair, of
+course.  I only wanted to aid you in any way I could.  You're the best
+judge, however, how to handle the matter.  If you need me, I am yours
+to command."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Duke," I said, "I realize your friendly spirit and I want you
+to know I appreciate it; and I shall not hesitate to call on you if the
+occasion arise."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He flung his cape around him and hooked up his sword.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, in the meantime, do I understand that I am to keep severely away
+from the lady?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I hesitated.  Of course his point was to obtain from me direct
+authority for him to visit her.  The very fact that he wanted it was a
+sufficient reason for refusing; but, on the other hand, so long as he
+thought himself unsuspected, it might not be a bad move to give him the
+opportunity.  It would increase the chances for them to make a blunder.
+I determined to risk it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The only restriction, touching Mrs. Spencer, is the order of the
+Military Governor," I answered.  "If you can induce her to acknowledge
+the falsity of that certificate, she shall be free to resume her
+journey to the Devil, <I>via</I> your Chateau, and joy go with her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He flung back his head and laughed heartily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A trifle hard on my Chateau, cousin, to locate it on the road to Hell.
+But we will let it pass.  For, between us, it is a good road and an
+easy; and they, who travel it, are a finer lot than the superstitious
+dreamers who grope, in darkness, along the bleak and stony path they
+fancy leads upward to the Light."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You mistook my meaning," I said.  "It's not for me to criticise
+another's chosen road, whether it be the rough one or the smooth.
+There are no hand boards at the forking, and only a blind fall at the
+end of each.  It's all a guess; and, so far as I know, one road is as
+good as another."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at me, rather curiously.  "Which road do you travel, cousin?"
+he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Neither, by intention," I answered.  "I am still at the Forks."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed, rather sarcastically.  "Well, when you leave them, if you
+chance to come my way, the Chateau is at your disposal.  Meanwhile,
+I'll endeavor to steer Madame Spencer, alias Dalberg, toward it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I could feel the deliberate sneer, but it was too well veiled to
+resent, openly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At least, don't expect me as a guest while she is there," I replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't imagine I would want you, then," said he.  He went over to the
+door; then returned and, leaning on the back of a chair, looked at me
+thoughtfully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What now?" I wondered&mdash;and waited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is a matter, cousin," he began, "which has been on my mind
+lately&mdash;and this may be as good a time as any to take it up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.  "Go ahead&mdash;we are in the humor for confidences, this
+afternoon, it seems."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And for plain speaking?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Between men I'm always for that," said I.  "It's the safest in the
+end."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly my opinion.  I am glad to have one of your experience and
+discretion agree with it," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It seemed to give him the keenest pleasure to sneer at me, to my very
+face, with compliments he thought I would take seriously.  And, in
+truth, I think I was beginning to enjoy it as much as he.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are a bit old for your age, my dear Duke," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I have much to learn," he said modestly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will all come in time, cousin," I answered patronizingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He dropped his head an instant&mdash;to hide his smiles, I knew.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A charming afternoon," he said.  "Confidences&mdash;compliments&mdash;and plain
+speaking.  We are making rare progress, cousin mine."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, why not?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely," he exclaimed, heartily, "surely&mdash;why not?"  Then he paused.
+"And, now, for the plain speaking."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said I; "drive ahead; and make it as plain as you like."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll do it," he said.  "What I want to know is: First&mdash;do you intend
+to try to displace me in the Line of Succession?  And, second&mdash;are you
+a suitor for the hand of the Princess Royal?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It would have been impossible to hide my surprise, so I made no effort.
+Surely, this man's methods were almost beyond comprehension!
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Duke," I replied, "your questions are plain, and a plain
+answer will do for both&mdash;it is none of your business."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed.  "By which I infer you decline to answer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Precisely!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He tossed away his cigar and slowly lit another.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, Armand, that is your privilege; but, then, you must pardon
+the further inference that to decline to answer is, really, to answer
+in the affirmative."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are responsible for your inferences, not I," I replied curtly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He leaned a bit forward.  "Let us take up my first question," he said.
+"Have you ever considered what you were likely to encounter if you
+undertook to filch the Crown?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Filch?" I interrupted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Steal, then, if you prefer.  I forgot we were to use plain terms."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very true," said I.  "Proceed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you think that I, who have been the Heir Presumptive since the
+instant of my birth, almost, will calmly step aside and permit you to
+take my place?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at him, indifferently, and made no answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you fancy, for an instant," he went on, "that the people of Valeria
+would have a foreigner for King?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And even if old Frederick were to become so infatuated with you that
+he would restore you to Hugo's place in the Line of Succession, do you
+imagine, that the House of Nobles would hesitate to annul it the
+instant he died?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From the written words, one might well infer that he spoke loudly and
+in open anger; whereas, in fact, his face was smiling and his voice was
+even more soft than usual.  It behooved me to meet him in kind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As you seem to have been doing my thinking, cousin, perhaps you have
+also thought out my answers.  If you have, I shall be glad to hear
+them; it will save me the labor of thinking them out for myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His smile broadened.  "The only labor I can promise to save you,
+cousin, is that of being King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fear it is a bit early for me to choose my Prime Minister," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His smile became a laugh.  "Let us pass to my second question.  It,
+however, demands no thinking.  There is ample evidence of your
+intention as to the Princess."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, why ask it?" I inquired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Because, of her intention toward you, I am not so sure&mdash;but, women are
+queer creatures and prone to take queer crotchets.  You aim to marry
+her; and so, having won the King and stolen my birth-right, to use her
+popularity to secure you on the Throne.  You see, all roads lead to the
+Throne."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All roads which His Highness of Lotzen travels," I observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He tilted back the chair; then let it drop sharply forward to the floor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just so, cousin, just so," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And one of those roads passes by your Chateau?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For an instant, he seemed to suspect my true meaning, and I regretted
+the word.  Then the suspicion faded and he accepted them at their face
+value.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Morals have nothing to do with a King," he laughed; "nor with the
+subject under consideration."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Apropos of the latter," said I, "I suppose I am very stupid, but I
+don't quite understand why, if you feel so about the Princess, you
+offered to aid me in getting rid of Mrs. Spencer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pure selfishness, cousin.  I have taken a liking to the Lady, myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, at least, I may thank you for your selfishness," I sneered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He smiled; then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, Armand," he said, "I must be going.  Will you condescend to
+answer?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I arose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You won't?  Well, it's not really necessary&mdash;but, have you a dice box
+handy?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A pack of cards, then?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Take my advice and get them&mdash;you are far,
+very far, out of the fashion, cousin mine.  However, this will serve,
+though it's rather low class," and he took out a gold coin and rang it
+on the table.  "You were an American officer and, I understand, they
+are as game a lot of men as wear swords.  Will you bear that out and
+try a toss with me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the wager?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He slowly drew the chair backward; but, instead of dropping it with a
+crash, he leaned far over it toward me and said, very slowly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Two tosses and two wagers.  The first, for the Princess; the second,
+for the Crown."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I waited a moment until I could control my voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will give me the most intense pleasure, my dear Duke," said I, "to
+toss you&mdash;not with yonder coin but out of yonder window.  I fancy a
+second toss would not be necessary; but, if it were, I could do it with
+as much pleasure as the first."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen's face got crimson; then, gradually paled&mdash;like red-hot iron
+passing to a white heat.  He let the chair fall slowly into place; and
+so easily that I could not hear the feet strike the floor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So, for a space, we stood at gaze.  Then he spoke; and I marvelled at
+the continued calmness of his voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are my superior officer, so I may not strike you nor draw against
+you.  But you will, I trust, pardon me, my dear cousin, if I tell you
+that you are a snivelling coward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pray, don't hide behind my temporary rank," I answered hotly.  "I
+waive it, gladly.  Anything, for a chance to puncture that rotten
+carcass of yours or to get a good fair crack at your smooth face."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a foolish speech.  I knew it the moment it was out.  But I never
+had acquired self-restraint when aggravated by those I disliked&mdash;and I
+despised Lotzen.  Possibly, he had far better ground for despising me.
+Had our positions been reversed, I am quite sure I would have viewed
+him much as he did me&mdash;a foreigner&mdash;an interloper&mdash;a scheming
+usurper&mdash;a thief.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+My explosion seemed to calm the Duke.  He looked at me, intently, for a
+moment; then bowed gravely.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I beg Your Highness's pardon," he said; "you are not a coward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I might not be outdone, so I bowed back at him.  "Thank you," said I;
+"and I also beg your pardon and withdraw my adjectives."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Merci</I>, Your Highness," he answered.  "Let us consider the matter
+closed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With pleasure," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I shall hope to have the honor of crossing swords&mdash;foils, I mean,
+with you, some day," he said meaningly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The hope is intensely mutual, my dear Duke," I answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He drew himself up to attention and saluted stiffly.  I returned it in
+kind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, with Your Highness's permission," I said, "I shall ask you to
+refrain from communicating with Mrs. Spencer.  I appreciate your offer
+but, upon second thought, I doubt the wisdom of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As you wish, monsieur," said he; "as you wish."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap20"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XX
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+A TRICK OF FENCE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+After Lotzen had gone, and I was able to do a bit of reflecting, I was
+pretty well convinced that he had got about as much out of me as I had
+out of him.  Of course, our mutual distrust and dislike were now openly
+avowed; but we had known it quite as well before&mdash;just as he had been
+aware of my designs on the Crown and my partiality for the Princess,
+and, I, of his purpose to defeat me for both.  He had, to use a
+military term, made a reconnoissance in force; and I had tried to meet
+him in kind and to prevent him uncovering my exact position.  How well
+I had succeeded, however, was very problematical; for I could not know
+what particular information he sought.  I was satisfied, however, his
+main purpose was to discover whether I had any knowledge or suspicion
+of him being back of Madeline Spencer.  And I was not so sure I had
+bluffed him.  I began to fancy he had seen through me, at once, and had
+played me off against myself, so to speak.  And, the longer I
+meditated, the more the fancy gripped me.  Finally, in disgust, I
+summoned Bernheim and Moore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Which of you," said I, "will do me the favor of a few passes with the
+foils?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of course, they both offered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said I; "I'll take you, in turn.  Send an orderly to the armory
+for the paraphernalia."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I fell to divesting myself of my upper garments, and Bernheim and Moore
+followed suit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By the way," I said, "what sort of a fencer is Lotzen?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bernheim turned and looked at me, sharply.  Moore stopped with his
+shirt half off and did the same.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is only one better in Valeria," said Bernheim.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So!" said I.  "And he?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The grey eyes twinkled and he actually smiled as he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Colonel Moore, of Your Highness's Personal Staff."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was my turn to be surprised.  "Then, he is a very modest gentleman,"
+I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Like master like man," was the ready Irish reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're a sad blarneyer," I laughed.  "You will be letting me disarm
+you, next."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No I won't, sir, voluntarily," he answered.  "You are not the Lotzen
+sort."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have fenced with him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Frequently."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And disarmed him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I saw Bernheim smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, once&mdash;the first time we engaged.  He has disliked me ever since."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am rather astonished at you," I said; "where was your finesse?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was quite unintentional.  He tried to work a <I>coup</I> that is very
+little known.  Instead of the regular defence I used one I had myself
+developed&mdash;and which ends in a wrench.  I gave it a bit too vigorously
+and the Duke dropped his foil."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bernheim gave a gruff laugh.  "Dropped it!" he exclaimed.  "Aye, and so
+lightly it flew twenty feet and hit the wall near the roof."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think," said I, "I would like to know that <I>coup</I> and its defences."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They are yours, sir," he said.  "But I am at a loss where Lotzen got
+the attack.  It isn't known to six persons in Europe&mdash;even among the
+<I>maïtres</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And your own defence?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is, I am sure, known to me, alone.  The man, with whom I worked it
+out, died a week after it was perfected."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, you have fenced with Lotzen frequently since then, you say?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Many times, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hasn't he invariably used that particular attack?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And been met always by the regular defence.  I took no chances on his
+discovering the secret.  I am confident he thinks, now, I disarmed him
+by a mere accident."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose you let him score on you occasionally?" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Moore shook his head.  "Never, unless it were the very limit of his
+reach.  I don't trust him&mdash;sometimes, buttons are lost from foils.  I
+try to be very diplomatic by touching him very infrequently.  Though I
+rather think it is pearls before swine; for he is too good a fencer not
+to see I am sparing him, and too jealously vindictive to appreciate my
+courtesy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I picked up a foil and made it whistle through the air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, Colonel Bernheim," I said, "I am at your service.  Shall we use
+the masks?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For Your Highness's sake, yes," he answered.  "I'm apt to be a trifle
+wild at times."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was nothing especially graceful about my senior Aide; and,
+besides being past the prime of life, he was of a rather bulky
+tallness, stolid and phlegmatic.  I could readily imagine his style,
+and a very few passes confirmed it.  He was of the ordinary type and I
+could have run him through without the least effort.  As it was, I
+touched him, presently, once on each arm&mdash;then disengaged and saluted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I thank Your Highness," he said; "it could just as well have been my
+heart and throat a dozen times."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am younger and more active," I explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But he smiled it down.  "I am not sensitive, sir.  Besides, it gives me
+joy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I supposed he was thinking of Lotzen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a short rest, Moore and I faced each other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let us cut the parades," I said&mdash;and Bernheim gave the word to engage.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without conceit I can say that I am more than moderately skillful with
+the sword.  It is, possibly, the one hobby of my life.  My father and
+grandfather before me were strong fencers, and one of my earliest
+recollections is being given a toy foil and put through the parades.
+There is a saying that "a swordsman is born not made," and it is a true
+one.  But, unless there is hard study and training from childhood, the
+birth gift is wasted and there is only a made-fencer in the end.  My
+good sire had appreciated this fact, and not only gave me the best
+instructors obtainable in America, but, in my second year's vacation
+from "The Point," he took me to Paris and kept me hard at work under
+the best French <I>maïtres</I>.  From that time on, I had practiced
+assiduously, and spending all my leaves in Europe and fencing in all
+the best schools of the Continent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Our blades had little more than crossed when I knew that it would take
+all my skill to hold my own, even for a short time.  Moore was, far and
+away, the best fencer I had ever encountered; and I thought I had faced
+about all the famous ones of first force.  His agility was amazing; his
+wrist like steel; his anticipation masterly.  For every time I touched
+him, he touched me twice; though none, on either side, would have been
+more than a scratch.  Then, in the midst of a fierce rally, I forced a
+pretty opening and I thrust.  No guard seemed possible&mdash;it was a sure
+<I>coeur</I>.  The next instant, there came a wrench, that almost tore off
+my fingers, and my foil flew across the room.  Moore had led me into
+the final position of Lotzen's attack, and had disarmed me exactly as
+he had the Duke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I held out my left hand to him&mdash;the right still tingled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Beautiful!" I said.  "It's a marvellous defence and marvellously done."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Moore bowed very low over my hand.  "It is a pleasure to serve under
+Your Highness," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye! that it is," said Bernheim.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He would be a very queer individual who would not be affected by such
+sincerity; and I told them so, and feelingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then Moore showed me the attack and its two defences; and I practiced
+them with him until I had them perfectly at command.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What would be my chances against Lotzen?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You could kill him easily," said Moore.  "Only, be careful of his play
+in tierce; he is very strong in that."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't know that I want to kill him," I said.  "Yet, neither do I
+care for him to kill me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Both looked at me in quick interrogation.  I motioned for them to sit
+down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've had a visit from the Duke, this afternoon," I said.  And I told
+them the entire interview.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bernheim smiled sourly, when I had ended.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You may have good use, sir, for that trick of fence," he said.
+"Lotzen means mischief and that promptly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Evidently, his visit with His Majesty and the Princess was not to his
+satisfaction," Moore remarked; "and, if Your Highness can ascertain
+just what did occur there, I'll wager it will account for his conduct
+to-day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And it would be just as well for Your Highness to wear a steel vest,"
+said Bernheim; "it's very handy to turn a knife or a revolver bullet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed,  "Of course, steel vests are such ordinary articles of
+attire they can be purchased in any shop."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll supply the vest," he answered, "if Your Highness will use it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It seems absurd," I declared.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a wise precaution, sir," Moore urged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One might suppose we were back in the days or the Guises," I said.
+"However, bring your coat of mail around to-night and I'll look it
+over.  But, I warn you, it will have to be a very snug fit."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will answer for that, also," said Bernheim.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Later in the afternoon, I rode over to the Field of Mars&mdash;a huge piece
+of ground on the Lake front&mdash;for the evening parade of the Cuirassiers
+of the Guard.  This was their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and
+on every one of them it had been the unbroken custom for the then
+governor of Dornlitz to be present and pass the Regiment in
+Review&mdash;saving, of course, in war-time, when it chanced to be in active
+service in the field.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The crowd of spectators was enormous.  The Valerians seem to have a
+genuine love for their Army&mdash;largely, I fancy, because the Army is not
+permitted to tyrannize over the citizen.  Because a man wore the King's
+uniform gave him no privilege to insult or to maltreat those who did
+not; and conferred no immunity from proper and adequate punishment if
+he did.  The Dalberg principle is similar to the American; that the
+Army is the guardian of the civilian, not his oppressor; and that its
+business is to protect not to browbeat.  For generations, it has been
+instilled into the Valerian soldier that his uniform could be smirched
+only by himself&mdash;and stern, indeed, was the judgment of him who
+ventured to think and do otherwise.  For an officer to strike a
+civilian without just cause meant to be cashiered; and to kill one,
+save as justified by the civil law, meant to be hung as a common felon.
+I had seen enough of the other Continental Armies to be very proud of
+the Army of Valeria.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a pretty sight&mdash;the long line of white uniformed Cuirassiers in
+burnished corselets and black-plumed helmets; with the Lake for a
+background, and rank on rank of spectators on either side.  In front,
+were the carriages of the Aristocracy of the Capital; and, as I
+galloped down to take post after the review, I could not but wonder how
+many of all that crowd regarded me with a friendly eye.  Behind me
+clattered a brilliant Staff, and in my hand was the Baton of a Marshal,
+yet, never in my life, had I felt so utterly alone as at that moment.
+And Lotzen's recent sneer, that I could hope to hold the Crown only if
+the Princess Dehra were my Queen, struck me in all its truth.  Surely,
+it was the climax of absurdity for me to aspire to rule this people, to
+whom I was a stranger and in whose eyes I would be, in effect, a pure
+usurper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the great band of the Regiment blared out, and I settled myself
+for the march-by.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When it was over, and the last troop had broken into column and had
+trotted away, I dismissed my Staff, except Moore, and rode across to
+where I had noticed Lady Helen Radnor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you were not a Prince I would not speak to you," she said, as I
+dismounted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then," said I, as I bowed over her hand, "there is some compensation
+in being a Prince."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have not seen you for ages," she complained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've been very busy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That is no excuse among friends, sir; besides, the Princess has been
+away for weeks."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I did not imagine you would miss me," I said&mdash;and glanced at her left
+hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed, and held it up.  "The finger is quite bare," she said;
+"but, I'll take off the glove, if you wish."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm sorry," I said.  "He is such a good chap."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She raised her eyebrows.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I leaned a bit closer.  "You won't refuse him when he does offer?" I
+asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose an Archduke cannot be impertinent," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not when he doesn't mean to be," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know," said she slowly, and looking at me hard, the while, "I
+was foolish enough to think, very long ago, that you rather liked me,
+yourself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And it's just because I do&mdash;that I hoped the finger wasn't bare," I
+answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How deliciously unselfish!" she exclaimed.  "You will next be
+resigning the Princess to His Grace of Lotzen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite between ourselves, I'll be doing nothing of the sort," I said,
+with mock confidentialness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nevertheless, I think I'll tell the Duke he has only to wait," said
+she.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I'll confide to Courtney he has only to ask to be taken," I
+returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "You might do it right now&mdash;here he is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I turned just as Courtney dismounted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"May I intrude, Your Royal Highness?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along," said I; "Lady Helen wants to hear some gossip and I don't
+know any."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A bit of a smile came into his eyes.  "And that, though you are,
+yourself, the most gossiped about individual in Dornlitz," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Another penalty of my new estate," said I; "the butt of all and the
+confidant of none."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Courtney tapped my Baton.  "Have you noticed, Lady Helen, what a steady
+run of hard luck our friend, here, has had ever since he came to
+Valeria?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Indeed I have," said she; "and I've been so sorry for him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she nodded most pleasantly to someone, and Courtney and I turned
+and bowed.  It was the Marquise de Vierle, wife of the French
+Ambassador.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How about her Masque to-night?" I asked; "will it be worth while?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's very evident you are new to Dornlitz," Courtney observed&mdash;and
+Lady Helen laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Vierle Balls outrival even the Court functions," she explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you going?" I asked her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am, indeed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you, Courtney?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall look in late."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I motioned to Moore.  "Who is on duty to-night?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Could you manage two costumes for the Vierle Masque?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite readily, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," I said.  "And let them be as near alike as possible," I
+added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time the Field was almost deserted, and, at Lady Helen's
+suggestion, Courtney and I turned our horses over to my orderly and
+drove back with her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose," said I, "that fancy dress is required to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is absolutely <I>de rigueur</I>," said Courtney; "and there is no
+unmasking."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Really!" said I.  "It promises very well."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And it realizes all it promises&mdash;maybe, a bit more," Lady Helen
+laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How shall I recognize you?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She considered a moment.  "I am to stay the night with the Marquise,
+and we shall both wear white silk court gowns of the period of Henry of
+Navarre.  I'll also put a red rose in my hair."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I," said Courtney, "will be caparisoned in a plum velvet court
+suit, à la Louis Quinze.  You will know me easily by the awkward way I
+handle the high red heels."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As I don't know what Moore will provide for me," said I, "I will adopt
+Lady Helen's rose; and, as I can't fasten it in my hair, I'll carry it
+in my mouth."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A good idea," said Courtney; "and I'll put one in my button hole."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap21"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XXI
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE BAL MASQUE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+When Moore and I entered the French Embassy, that night, my own valet
+could not have distinguished which was the Aide and which the Archduke.
+By some means, which I did not bother to inquire, Moore had secured two
+suits of black velvet, of the time of the Thirteenth Louis, which were
+marvels in fit and style.  We were of one height and very similar in
+frame&mdash;there being but a few pounds difference in our weights&mdash;and,
+with the long curls under the big hats with their flowing plumes, and
+the black silk masks, we were as alike as twins.  Even our swords were
+similar&mdash;long, leather-sheathed rapiers with dead gold hilts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Under my doublet I laced the steel vest Bernheim brought me.  It and
+one other were made by a famous Milan armorer three hundred years ago,
+Bernheim said; and the two had been in his family ever since.  And, so
+far as he knew, there were no others like them in all Europe; not even
+in the Museums.  It was a wonderful piece of work, truly.  The links
+were small and yielding and so cunningly joined that it was as pliable
+as knitted wool, and much less bulky.  Indeed, when rolled into a ball,
+it was no bigger than a man's fist.  It looked quite too flimsy to
+afford any protection; yet, when I saw it proof against a bullet fired
+from a revolver and also turn repeated sword thrusts, I was, perforce,
+convinced.  And I was completely won when I donned it; it was like a
+vest of silk.  And I was well pleased it was so; for I was wearing it
+simply to oblige good old Bernheim, who seemed so earnest about it.  I
+had no notion it would be of any service to me that night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As everyone came masked, admission was, of course, only by card, after
+which all were conducted singly to a small room where the mask was
+removed and identification satisfactorily established by the
+Ambassador's Secretary.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It chanced, when my turn came, that the Marquis de Vierle, himself, was
+in the room; and, when he saw my face, his welcome was intensely
+ardent.  He apologized effusively that I had been received at the
+regular entrance and, so, had been compelled to wait my turn for
+identification&mdash;but, surely, my regrets had been noted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I told him he was quite right&mdash;that I had regretted, and that the
+apology was, really, due from me for coming, and that I had enjoyed
+being pushed and jostled, once again, like an ordinary mortal.  He
+wanted to treat me with all the deference due me and I very firmly
+declined.  I told him, frankly, I was there to see and enjoy and not to
+be seen nor to receive special attentions.  I asked him, as a
+particular favor, to tell no one of my presence and to permit me to
+remain absolutely incog.; that, for this night, I was plain Armand
+Dalberg and not a Royal Highness nor an Archduke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The house was one of the largest in the Capital, standing in a park of
+its own, on the edge of the inner town, and had been the residence of
+the French Legation for a century.  It had been improved and added to,
+at various periods, until it had taken on about every known style of
+architecture.  And, as a result, there were queer passages and many
+unexpected recesses.  The furniture was as varied as the building; and
+the tapestries and pictures and frescoes were rather famous.  The
+grounds, however, were the main attraction; they covered twenty acres
+and were maintained exactly as originally laid out by a famous Italian
+landscape artist&mdash;with immense trees and huge hedges and narrow walks
+and wonderful vistas.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Marquise de Vierle welcomed her guests alone in one of the small
+reception rooms; everyone entering singly and unmasking&mdash;she, herself,
+being as yet, in ordinary evening dress.  She was a very handsome
+woman, much younger than the Marquis, and of the very oldest French
+Aristocracy&mdash;a <I>grande dame</I> in bearing as well as in birth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Royal Highness does us great honor," she said, as I bowed over
+her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I answered her in suit, and we tossed the usual number of compliments
+back and forth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Whom shall we bid join you at supper?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Marquise," I protested, "you have your personal party
+selected&mdash;doubtless invited; and my unexpected coming must not break
+your arrangements.  Let me wander about, and pay no more regard to me
+than to your most ordinary guest."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she declined to excuse me; insisting that she had made no choice,
+except Lady Helen Radnor, who happened to be staying the night with
+her.  So, without being churlish, I could decline no longer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If your Ladyship will make the list very small, and, then, engage to
+give me all your smiles I shall accept with pleasure," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will promise both," she said.  "Who attends you to-night?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My Aide, Colonel Moore."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Suppose, then, we make it a party of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
+Countess de Relde, Mademoiselle d'Essoldé and the American Ambassador."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Charming!" I exclaimed; "charming!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And what hour will Your Highness be served?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At whatever hour Madame la Marquise fixes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Say, one o'clock, then&mdash;in the blue breakfast room; it is quiet and
+retired."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bowed again over her hand and was withdrawing, when the Marquise
+stopped me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Would not Your Highness like to know some of the Masques?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very much, indeed," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains,
+yonder&mdash;and, when you are tired, there is a door, which slides without
+noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the Garden.
+<I>Comprenez vous, Monsieur le Prince</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "Perfectly," said I.  "And I may have Colonel Moore with
+me?  There will be many faces I shall not know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He is without?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;and costumed somewhat like myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She touched a bell; I held up my mask.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Admit the gentleman in black velvet, like Monsieur," she ordered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Goodness!" she exclaimed, when Moore entered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Puzzle," said I.  "Pick the Archduke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Impossible&mdash;and, if you two go around together, some of my guests will
+think they are getting double vision very early in the evening."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From the recess, we could see all that entered and hear every word
+said.  And it struck me how very eloquent it was of the character of
+the Marquise de Vierle that she should, deliberately, provide a
+concealed audience while she greeted&mdash;alone&mdash;every man and woman of
+Dornlitz Society.  I must admit I rather enjoyed the experience&mdash;though
+I very rarely guessed the face behind the mask.  It is astonishing how
+effectively an unusual costume disguises even those we know well.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly, the Marquis entered hurriedly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know, Claire," he said, "that the American Archduke is here
+to-night?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Instantly I laid my hand on the sliding door.  It was time for us to be
+going.  And the door refused to move.  I looked at Moore, who shrugged
+his shoulders.  I could imagine the smile his mask concealed.  But the
+Marquise met the situation with a laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do indeed&mdash;and I rather fancy you will find His Highness in yonder
+recess," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I parted the curtains and stepped out&mdash;and Colonel Moore beside me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madame la Marquise has taken pity on the stranger," I said; "and has
+given him an opportunity to recognize his friends."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+If the diplomat were surprised, no one would have guessed it&mdash;except
+that his bow was more than usually low.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is a great privilege, my dear Prince, if we can be of any use to
+you," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I took a sudden resolve.  "I very much fear my unexpected presence
+to-night is a source of concern and inconvenience to Your Excellency,"
+I said.  "With your permission I will take my leave," and I made to go.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Vierle came quickly to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will make the Marquise and me most unhappy, if you do," he said.
+"And I shall tell you frankly what brought me here.  The lady who
+styles herself your wife is among the guests&mdash;she is in the next room,
+now, waiting to be admitted.  My purpose was to have the Marquise
+request her to depart at once."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed, and put my hand on his shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So far as I am concerned," I said, "I pray you do nothing of the sort.
+The lady does not bother me in the slightest.  Besides, she will not
+know I'm here&mdash;and I shall not present myself to her, you may be sure."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yet, we owe Your Highness an explanation of her presence," the
+Marquise exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Madame de Vierle, you owe me nothing of the sort," I said.  "I
+am still enough of an American to think that a hostess is never called
+upon to explain a guest.  And, what is more, the whole difficulty is of
+my own making, in coming after I had declined."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surely, Your Highness is very gracious; yet, I would very much prefer
+to explain," she said.  "It was this way: Madeline Stafford and I were
+friends and schoolmates in Paris.  We both married about the same time
+and, then, lost touch with each other.  I had neither seen nor heard
+from her until I received a note some weeks ago.  After Your Highness
+regretted for to-night, I sent her a card.  I mentioned the matter to
+the Duke of Lotzen and he said that, under the circumstances, and as
+everyone would be masked, it would be entirely proper.  That is my
+explanation."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And one amply sufficient; even if any were required," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought I saw my dear cousin's game.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you are quite sure you do not object to her remaining?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite sure," said I; "and I even hope she will enjoy herself.  I
+shall, I know.  And, at supper, I'll confide my adventures to your
+Ladyship."  Then I took a shot in the dark.  "And I know His Highness
+of Lotzen will be forever sorry he could not be here to-night," I added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He was good enough to call and tell me so," was the answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was sure, now, I saw my dear cousin's game.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I bowed over the Marquise's hand and Moore and I went out through
+the sliding door&mdash;which, when the Marquis rolled it back for us, I saw
+was not locked.  In my haste I had not seen the small brass button
+which released the latch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a pity Vierle didn't tell us what costume Mrs. Spencer is
+wearing," Moore remarked, as we reached the Garden.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stopped short.  "What a blunderer I am.  It would be better if you
+did the thinking for me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shall I go back and ask him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will keep until supper," said I.  "In the meantime, let us hunt up
+Courtney and Lady Helen."  I explained to him how to distinguish them;
+then, taking from my doublet a small package wrapped in foil, I
+selected a red rose and put it in my mouth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," said I, "let us have a look around."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For a time I was more occupied with the beauty of the Garden than with
+my fellow-masques, and I left it to Moore to keep a careful eye for the
+other two red roses.  I could not but notice, however, that we were
+attracting much attention; by reason, I assumed, of our striking
+similarity; and a number of times Moore replied wittily to some
+pleasant banter flung at us.  I should say, perhaps, that the grounds
+were so thoroughly lighted with electricity that they were as bright as
+day; the lamps being so carefully distributed that there were,
+practically, no shadows.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently, on the bank of a miniature lake near the farthest wall, we
+came upon three women and a man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Dromios," said one of the women.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Satan's Twins," laughed another.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A pair of black Knaves," echoed the third.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The man laughed, but said nothing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I put my hand through Moore's arm and swung him around.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why not add us to your own Knave and then give us a Queen apiece?" I
+asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She, who had spoken last, clapped her hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Delicious!" she exclaimed.  "Will monsieur be my Knave?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The voice was very soft and musical, and I saw Moore glance quickly at
+her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That will I, my lady," said I; and stepped forward and kissed her
+hand; then drew it through my arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who chooses the other black Knave?" asked Moore, sweeping off his hat,
+and bowing with it held across his heart.  I noted he had changed his
+voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do," said she who had styled us "Satan's Twins;" and she gave him
+her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He, who had been with them, shrugged his shoulders and turned to her
+who had spoken first, "Mademoiselle," said he, "I am waiting to be
+chosen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "Mademoiselle will be deeply honored," she said, "if
+monsieur will deign to accept the only Queen that is left."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It chanced that none of these four Masques had gone through the
+reception room while we were behind the curtains, so, of course, I had
+not the slightest notion of their identity.  It was quite possible
+Moore would be able to make a good guess; and, I fancied, he had
+already placed my Queen&mdash;she of the musical laugh.  However, so long as
+they did not discover me, it mattered not at all who they were.  I
+could trust Moore to get me away from them if he found it wise.  So I
+devoted myself to my companion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was of good height and rather slender, and wore a blue gown, with
+powdered hair.  Her face and ears were completely hidden by her mask,
+but, judging from the bit of neck that was visible, and other
+indications, she was not over twenty-five.  I let her pick the way, and
+we led the others slowly around through the part of the Garden most
+removed from the house and where the Masques were fewest.  I took it,
+that she had no desire to be prominent, and I was very well content.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was a rare flirt, though&mdash;that, I knew, before we had gone a
+hundred yards; and it kept my wits very busy to hold my own even
+moderately well, and to keep from giving her any clue to my identity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know, monsieur," she said, presently, "you and your friend are
+not the only two men here, to-night, who are dressed alike?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are they black knaves, too?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She tapped me on the arm with her fan.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be sarcastic, my dear," she said; "though, I admit, we were very
+forward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense!" I replied.  "This is a Masque.  Only, are you quite sure we
+were the first men you bantered?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You forget, sir; Folly has no past," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A true word, mademoiselle," I agreed.  "Shall it be so with us when we
+part?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked up at me a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Monsieur must be married," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Every man is married&mdash;or hopes to be," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She tapped me again with her fan.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You forget, again," she said.  "Folly never&mdash;moralizes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"True," said I, "she hasn't any morals."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why make Folly feminine?" she asked.  "Methinks, there is usually a
+Knave for every Queen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Methinks, I know one Queen who could have Knaves as many as she
+listed," I answered, bending down and trying to see her eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she quickly interposed her fan.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am masked, monsieur," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I ignored the reproof.  "That," said I, "is my supreme regret."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Merci, mon ami</I>," she said.  "You may kiss my hand when you leave me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only your hand?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not even that, now," she retorted&mdash;then turned and leaned against the
+hedge.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two men were coming down the path toward us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here are the other twin Knaves," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And it was true enough&mdash;they were as alike as Moore and myself; only,
+they wore white satin small clothes and powdered perukes.  They were in
+earnest conversation, but broke off as they neared us.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Parbleu</I>!" exclaimed the man with us.  "There seems to be a plague of
+twins to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One of the White Masques made as though to halt, but the other
+whispered something and tried to draw him on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Our fellow laughed irritatingly, and waved his hand toward Moore and me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We've got a pair of Knaves here, also," he bantered; "perchance, the
+four of you are from the same pack."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The White Masque turned quickly.  "Then it would be a pack, monsieur,
+in which you would be about equal to the deuce," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Or the joker," said the other, as they moved away, "which, in a
+gentleman's game, has no place."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Our man made a quick step toward them; but Moore caught him sharply by
+the shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let them go," he said curtly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The other hesitated&mdash;then shrugged his shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For the present be it, then," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, look you, sir," Moore went on; "I do not know you, but, if you
+will take my poor advice, you will let it be for the future, too."  He
+offered his arm to his companion.  "Mademoiselle, shall we continue the
+stroll?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What a queer speech," said my Masque, "one might almost fancy they
+were of royal rank."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The King, possibly," I suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense, monsieur; you know perfectly well His Majesty is not in
+Dornlitz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The Duke of Lotzen and the American Archduke, then."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "Very likely; very likely, indeed!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mademoiselle is pleased to ridicule."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And monsieur is pleased to affect ignorance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of what?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"When did your Knaveship come to Dornlitz?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very recently."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You must be a very stupid&mdash;diplomat."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am," I agreed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know the 'American Archduke,' as you call him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very slightly," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doubtless you would rather know his wife," she said naïvely.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you think he is married?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, monsieur&mdash;so does everyone&mdash;don't you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said I.  "I don't."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "You mean you don't want to think so,&mdash;&mdash;madame is very
+beautiful&mdash;<I>n'est ce pas</I>?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know her?" I asked evasively.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, monsieur; do you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have met her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!  Oh!" she exclaimed.  Then she looked at me quickly.  "I thought
+she received no visitors."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I shrugged my shoulders.  "The lady does not interest me," I said; "let
+us talk of something else."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of the American Archduke, then," she suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why not of yourself?" I urged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am only a Masque&mdash;the American may be a King."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not likely," I scoffed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you for Lotzen?" she demanded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Diplomats are neutral," said I; "but, <I>entre nous</I>, I have become
+rather interested in the American."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So have I," said she.  "He is very handsome."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you," I said, involuntarily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She stopped and looked at me.  I was glad, indeed, for the mask.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What is it?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Would you mind repeating that last remark?" she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I pretended surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You said the American was very handsome and I said 'thank you.'  I
+mean I don't agree with you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh!" she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I would have been better satisfied if I could have seen her face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wouldn't let the Valerians know it," she went on.  "He is the
+perfect double of the great national Hero."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So I've heard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And it's no small item in his popularity."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I didn't know he was popular," I said.&mdash;This was getting interesting.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Really, monsieur, your ignorance of the very matters, which you should
+know, would suggest you are an American diplomat."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Ladyship is severe," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I meant to be&mdash;though there are exceptions; the present Ambassador is
+one.  He ranks with the best of his fellows."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, that," said I, "I have heard."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "Come, monsieur, lay aside this affected ignorance and
+gossip a bit.  Is the American to marry the Princess Royal?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I thought you were insisting, a moment since, that he had a wife," I
+observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, that's of no consequence.  It will be very easy to divorce her."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here, doubtless, was the popular view of this matter; and it gave me
+the shudders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the swing of a waltz came from the house.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shall we dance?" I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "Monsieur is bored&mdash;let us wait for my friends."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I protested; but she was firm.  And, so, when the others came up, Moore
+and I made our adieux.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When we were out of hearing, Moore handed me a bit of paper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This just reached me,'" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was from the Secret Police and read:
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P CLASS="letter">
+"S. is at Vierle Masque.  She wears a gypsy dress of black and red.  L.
+is also at Masque&mdash;he and Count Bigler are dressed alike in white
+satin.  L. came last and his presence is unknown to the Vierles for he
+avoided unmasking by personating Bigler."
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+"So, they were the White Twins," I remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You knew them?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I knew only Lotzen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hence your advice to our quick-tempered companion&mdash;who was he?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I couldn't make him out," said Moore; "but he knew the women and was
+their escort from the house."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He seemed to be a bit sour about something."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My companion said it was because the Blue Masque chose you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"She was very charming," said I.  "Who was she?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I knew neither his nor mine," said he evasively.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But mine?" I insisted.  "She of the sweet voice&mdash;which, Colonel, I
+observed, you noted."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He hesitated an instant; then answered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mademoiselle d'Essoldé."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed.  If rumor spoke truly, Mademoiselle d'Essoldé
+carried Moore's heart in her keeping.  Then I laughed.  "Never mind,
+Colonel, we shall see her at supper, presently&mdash;she will be beside you,
+I think."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness is very thoughtful," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't give me the credit&mdash;it was Lady Vierle's idea," I answered&mdash;and
+changed the subject.  "What is Lotzen up to now," I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some deviltry&mdash;either women or you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think it's both," said I.  "The Marquise consulted him as to sending
+Mrs. Spencer an invitation, and you remember how careful he was to call
+in person to regret he could not come to-night.  He saw, at once, his
+opportunity for a talk with Mrs. Spencer.  Depend on it, that is the
+explanation of the White Twins, and of Lotzen's evading identification.
+I dare say he already has an alibi perfected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He has had no chance to see her, yet," said Moore.  "I'll have her
+ordered to her hotel."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, she must remain," said I; "I'm committed to the Marquise.
+Besides, I'm minded to play their own game for them, a bit.  Do you
+think Lotzen knows I'm at the Masque?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Moore thought a moment.  "Lady Vierle told him you were not coming,
+when she asked as to Mrs. Spencer," he said.  "And he may have let it
+go at that; but it wouldn't be his usual method.  My last order, before
+we left the Epsau, was that you were indisposed and had retired and, on
+no account, were you to be disturbed without Bernheim's express
+permission.  But, servants are purchasable and spies are plenty, and
+Lotzen knows how to reach the first and use the second.  On the whole,
+it is likely he has been advised that you are here, though he may not
+know your costume.  The long military cloaks completely hid our dress;
+and you will recall that, at my suggestion, we concealed our hats under
+them until we were in the carriage."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can't get used to this espionage," I said.  "Suppose we take a look
+around for the Gypsy Lady; doubtless, we shall find her with a White
+Masque."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We were on a walk bordered by a hedge of boxwood, shoulder high.  On
+the other side, was another path with several Masques on it.  Suddenly,
+one of them, as he passed, reached over the hedge and struck me in the
+back with a dagger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The blow sent me plunging forward, but did me no hurt.  I owed my life
+to Bernheim.  His steel vest had stayed the blade that, otherwise,
+would have found my heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a cry, Moore sprang to me and caught me in his arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm not hurt," I said, recovering my balance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank God!" he ejaculated&mdash;then took the hedge at a vault.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I caught him by the arm as he landed on the other side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stay," I commanded.  "Let the fellow go."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Moore looked at me a moment.  "Let him go?" he exclaimed incredulously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.  "And come along&mdash;let us get away from here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without a word, he vaulted back and we moved off.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The whole thing had occurred so unexpectedly and so swiftly that the
+few Masques, who had been in the vicinity, evidently had not noticed
+the murderous nature of the assault; and the peculiar arrangement of
+the hedges and trees had enabled my assailant to disappear almost
+instantly.  Indeed, but for Moore's vaulting the boxwood after him, it
+is likely no one would have suspected anything unusual.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Several men came up and inquired if they could be of any assistance,
+but I assured them it was a matter of no consequence&mdash;that I had,
+evidently, been mistaken for another&mdash;or it was only a bit of
+pleasantry from some friend who had recognized me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But that you are uninjured," remarked one, "I should almost say it was
+a case of attempted assassination."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "An assassination would fit in well with the costumes and
+the garden&mdash;everything is mediaeval to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Except the electric lights," Moore threw in, dryly; and we bowed
+ourselves away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I suppose we may now assume that somebody knows my disguise," I
+observed.  "Did you see my friend with the dagger?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;as much of him as there was to see&mdash;he wore a long black cloak
+and was rather above medium size.  If Your Highness had not stopped me
+I might have caught him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's just why I stopped you," said I.  "I didn't want to embarrass
+the De Vierles.  Think what it would mean to them to have it known that
+one of their guests had attempted to stab to death an Archduke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hum&mdash;I don't see why that is more important than protecting your life."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear Colonel," said I, "if it were a question between my life and
+Lady Vierle's temporary embarrassment, I would look after my life.  But
+my life is still safe, and in no more danger with that rogue at large
+than with him caught."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would be one less scoundrel for Lotzen to work with," Moore
+objected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I fancy he has got so many scoundrels on his pay roll that one, more
+or less, won't matter," I answered.  "But, I've no objection to a quiet
+inquiry as to this assault&mdash;it may come very handy, some time&mdash;so, do
+you look up the Secret Service Officer, in charge here to-night, and
+give him such facts as you deem proper, and let a report be made to me
+in the morning."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"First, let me escort you to the house," he insisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I put my hand on his arm.  "Lotzen may have his hired bravoes," I said,
+"but I'm blessed with two good friends in you and Bernheim."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The warm-hearted Irishman took my hand and pressed it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We both are Your Highness's servants until death," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm in no further danger to-night, I fancy," said I.  "And here come
+Lady Helen and the American Ambassador.  I'll remain with them.  When
+you have done your errand rejoin me."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap22"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XXII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+BLACK KNAVE AND WHITE
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+There were three women and a man in the approaching party, and it
+chanced I knew them all.  Courtney had a red rose fastened
+conspicuously on his breast, and Lady Helen wore a great bunch of them
+in her hair&mdash;another was gowned like her and, so, must be the Marquise
+de Vierle herself&mdash;the fourth was Mademoiselle d'Essoldé.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you wish," said I, barring the path and sweeping the ground with my
+feather, "I'll hunt another rose.  I've been searching for you so long
+that the one I began with has gone to pieces."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, Your Highness would never think of looking in the Ball
+Room," said Lady Helen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mademoiselle d'Essoldé started and, then, drew a bit back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never, indeed, until I had searched the Garden," I retorted.  Then I
+bowed to Mademoiselle d'Essoldé as the Marquise presented her.  I could
+see she was very much embarrassed, so I tried to reassure her by being
+extremely cordial.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Marquise wanted to show Courtney the bridge and the lake, and, when
+we passed the place where Moore and I had met the Queens&mdash;as I had
+styled them&mdash;Mademoiselle d'Essoldé found her opportunity and whispered:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will Your Royal Highness ever forgive me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On one condition," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's granted&mdash;name it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That you be nice to him who sits beside you at supper, to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at me a moment&mdash;masks are very annoying when one wants to
+see the face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That will be an easy penance," she said&mdash;and I understood she had been
+told who that man was to be.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bent toward her.  "Let him know it, then," I said earnestly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness likes him?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do more than like him," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She threw a quick glance up at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe I do, too," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good," said I; then began to speak of something else.  There is just
+as proper a point to quit a subject as to start it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The grass on the bank of the lake was quite dry and Lady Helen
+suggested that we sit down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This reminds me of a garden in Florence," she said.  "Someone might
+tell us a story from Boccaccio."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Marquise held up her hands in affected horror.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Helen!  Helen!  You're positively shocking," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lady Helen evidently believes in living up to our costumes," I
+ventured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why not?" she laughed, "since the masks hide our faces?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good, my dear," said Lady Vierle, "you tell the first story; we
+will take our cue from you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lady Helen removed her mask.  "Then, that is your first cue," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I breathe easier," Mademoiselle d'Essoldé remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We all do," said I&mdash;then, suddenly, replaced mine and arose.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Indulge me for a moment," I said, and sauntered over to the path a
+little distance away; nor answered the chaffing that was flung after
+me.  I had seen a woman in gypsy dress and a cavalier in white coming
+slowly down the walk.  I did not doubt it was Mrs. Spencer and Lotzen,
+and I intended to let them know they were recognized.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As we neared each other, I halted and stared at them with the most
+obvious deliberation.  The gypsy made some remark to her companion, to
+which he nodded.  I had little notion they would address me; and,
+certainly, none that they would stop.  But, there (though whether it
+was pure bravado or because my attitude was particularly irritating, I
+know not), Lotzen gave me another surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He paused in front of me and looked me over from head to foot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Monsieur seems interested," he said, making no effort to disguise his
+tones.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I made no answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And I hope monsieur will pardon me if I tell him his manners are
+atrocious," he went on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again, no answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Though, of course, no one could ever expect monsieur to understand
+why," he continued.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of a sudden, it dawned on my slow brain that Lotzen did not know
+whether it was Moore or I that confronted him, and he wanted to hear my
+voice.  I saw no utility in obliging him; so, I stood impassive,
+staring calmly at them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen turned to his companion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Speak to him, mademoiselle," he said; "perchance the dulcet tones of
+Beauty may move the Beast to speech."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled at him addressing her as "mademoiselle."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shook her head.  "Methinks it's Balaam not Beauty you need."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He laughed.  "Even that does not stir him&mdash;the fellow must be deaf."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Try signs on him." she suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good!  I'll sign to him we want to see his face."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How, pray?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By pulling off his mask," he answered&mdash;and put out his hand, as though
+to do it.  With his fingers almost on it, he paused.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stood quite still.  I felt perfectly sure he would not touch me; but,
+if he did, I intended to knock him down.  And I was not mistaken.
+After a moment, he dropped his arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The woman laughed.  "Your nerve failed&mdash;his didn't," she said dryly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at all, mademoiselle.  I thought of a better way.&mdash;Observe."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He slowly drew the long narrow-bladed sword, that went with his
+costume, and, taking the point in his left hand, bowed over it in mock
+courtesy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will monsieur have the extreme kindness to remove his mask," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I admit I was a bit astonished.  Surely, this was rushing things with a
+vengeance&mdash;to deliberately raise a situation that meant either a fight
+or a complete back-down by one of us.  And, as he would scarcely
+imagine I would do the latter, he must have intended to force a duel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There might have been another reason, assuming that he was interested
+only in my identity:&mdash;this procedure would have told him; for Moore
+would not have dared draw sword on the Heir Presumptive.  But I have
+never thought such was his idea; for he must have been very well
+satisfied, by this time, that none but an equal in rank would have
+acted so toward him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, being convinced that it was I that fronted him, he had suddenly
+seen an opportunity to accomplish in open fight what his hired assassin
+had bungled.  It is notorious that American officers know practically
+nothing of the art of fence; what easier than to drive me into drawing
+on him and, then, after a bit of play, to run me neatly through the
+heart.  What mattered it if he were the aggressor?  It would be easy to
+aver he had not known me&mdash;that I had chosen to insult him, and, having
+refused to unmask and apologize, had suffered the consequences of my
+own rashness and bad manners.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, even suppose no one believed his story that he did not know me.
+What mattered it?  One does not execute the Heir Presumptive of Valeria
+for murder.  True, the King might rage&mdash;and a term of banishment to his
+mountain estates might follow; yet, what trifling penalties for the end
+attained.  They would be only for the moment, as it were.  But the
+American would be dead&mdash;the Crown sure&mdash;the Princess still unmarried.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Truly, it was a chance which would never come again; and not to seize
+it was to mock Fortune to her very face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It takes far longer to write this than to think it.  It all went
+through my mind in the brief space Lotzen gave me for reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am waiting, monsieur," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Gypsy laughed softly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You tell him so much he already knows," said she.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen looked at her&mdash;in surprise, I doubt not.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mademoiselle is impatient," he remarked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he bowed again to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You see, monsieur," he said, "you tire the Lady; I must ask you to
+make haste."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+If anyone think it easy to stand, stolidly, in one position for a
+considerable period, and have impertinent things said to him the while,
+let him try it.  He will be very apt to change his notion.  But, I
+stuck to it; and my soldier training helped me&mdash;and the mask relieved
+my face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are stubborn, monsieur, as well as bad mannered.  I shall have to
+spur you, I see," he went on.  "I ask you, once again, monsieur, to
+remove your mask.  If you do not, I shall give you a bit of steel in
+the left leg."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, if that be ineffective?" the lady asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, I shall touch him in the other leg&mdash;and, if he still refuses,
+then, in the right arm&mdash;and, then, if necessary, in the left arm; each
+time a trifle deeper."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, then&mdash;&mdash;?" she inflected, very sweetly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then?" he repeated.  "I think there will be no need for a 'then,'
+mademoiselle," he laughed sneeringly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She nodded toward me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Isn't it about time to begin?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your wish, my dear, is my law," he said.  "You hear, monsieur; your
+time is up&mdash;prepare."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He stepped forward and thrust, very slowly, at my thigh.  Even then, I
+could not think that he would actually dare to touch me with his sword;
+and I made no motion.  I proposed to call his bluff&mdash;if it were one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Closer and closer, inch by inch, drew the point.  It reached the
+velvet&mdash;hesitated&mdash;passed through&mdash;and just pierced my flesh&mdash;then, was
+withdrawn.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, with that cut, came the blood-lust, like unto the rage of the
+berserker of old.  Yet, somehow, I had the sense to stand quiet and let
+the red passion burn itself out.  I would need all my coolness to meet
+Lotzen's skill.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, will monsieur remove his mask?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You scarcely touched him," scoffed the Gypsy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen held up the sword.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See the red upon the point?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Blood!  You actually cut him!" she exclaimed&mdash;then pointed her finger
+at me, derisively.  "And you wear a sword!" she sneered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was pretty hard to take.  But I had a notion, foolish, possibly, to
+play the game a little longer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along, my friend," she went on.  "This is poor sport.  I hate a
+coward."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For an instant, I feared he would heed her and go&mdash;and that would have
+obliged me to become the aggressor; which I much preferred not to be.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A coward!" he laughed&mdash;and looked at me.  "You hear that, monsieur: a
+coward."  Then he put his hand on her arm.  "You are quite right, my
+dear, it is poor sport," he said.  "Yet, stay a moment longer.  I shall
+forego the other cuts and tear off his mask, instead."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And permit him to wear a sword?" she mocked.  "Surely, not!  Why don't
+you break it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A charming suggestion&mdash;thank you.&mdash;You hear my Lady's wish, Monsieur
+le Coquin," he said to me, and presenting his blade at my breast.
+"Will you yield your sword or shall I be obliged to take it from you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At last, Lotzen had driven me to action, in pointing his sword at my
+breast.  If he touched it my steel vest would be disclosed, at once;
+and that was not to my mind.  It would explain the failure of his
+bravo's dagger.  More than that I did not care for.  Doubtless, he was
+wearing one himself at that very moment.  One usually ascribes to his
+enemy methods similar to one's own&mdash;and, as Lotzen dealt in
+assassination, he would expect me to do the same.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I waited a moment.  Then, stepping quickly out of reach, I drew my own
+sword.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here it is, my Lord," I said.  "Which end will you take?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The only end that you can give me, monsieur&mdash;the hilt," was the answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come and get it, then," I drawled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He turned to the Gypsy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will mademoiselle pardon me," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will you be long?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only a moment.  I'll make it very short."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll wait," she said carelessly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He bowed to her&mdash;and then faced me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Has Monsieur le Coquin any particular spot in which he prefers to
+receive my point?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None, my Lord," I answered; "I shall leave that to your own good
+taste."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Merci</I>, monsieur, <I>merci</I>!" he said, and saluted.  "Yet, I may not be
+outdone in generosity.  Therefore, in exchange for your hilt, monsieur,
+you shall have the whole length of my blade in your heart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That, my Lord, is on the Knees of the Gods," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then our swords fell to talking and our tongues were still.
+</P>
+
+<A NAME="img-294"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG SRC="images/img-294.jpg" ALT="Then our swords fell to talking in the garden of the masked ball." BORDER="2" WIDTH="396" HEIGHT="639">
+<H4>
+[Illustration: Then our swords fell to talking in the garden of the masked ball.]
+</H4>
+</CENTER>
+
+<P>
+The turf was free of brush or trees; and, as I have already said, the
+illumination was so arranged that, practically, there were no shadows.
+The Garden seemed almost as bright as day; indeed, save that the light
+was white, we might, just as well, have been duelling at noon-tide as
+at midnight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It had not been hard to gather, from Lotzen's last remarks to his
+companion, what sort of a fight he proposed making; and, after the
+usual preliminary testing of strength, I contented myself with the
+simplest sort of defence and awaited the main attack.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It seems hardly possible that two men could engage in a combat with
+rapiers, at such an occasion, and not draw a crowd.  There is something
+peculiarly penetrating about the ring of steel on steel at night.  Yet,
+such was the extent of the grounds and, so retired was our locality,
+that no strangers were attracted.  Almost at the first stroke, however,
+I heard exclamations from the direction of my companions.  In a moment,
+Courtney came running up, his drawn sword in hand&mdash;and the others after
+him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I had plenty of use for my eyes with the immediate business in hand;
+but, as I chanced to be facing them, I had a vision of Courtney&mdash;his
+mask off&mdash;leaning forward intently watching the fight.  Then, he calmly
+returned sword and drew back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I heard the Marquise exclaim: "<I>Mon Dieu</I>!  Someone is trying to kill
+His Highness&mdash;we must save him!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But Courtney clapped his hand over her mouth and silenced her.  Even in
+the press of the duel, I think, I smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your pardon, my dear Marquise," he said, loudly&mdash;so I would hear it, I
+knew&mdash;"His Highness needs no saving."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I heard no more&mdash;for the Duke assumed the offensive fiercely and
+his sword began to move like lightning.  And well, indeed, was it, for
+me, that I had learned something of this gentle game of fence, else had
+that night been my last on Earth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, of a sudden, from out a sharp rally, came the first strokes of
+Moore's <I>coup</I>.  I had been expecting it.  I steadied myself to meet
+it, giving back just a trifle to lead Lotzen to think it was new to me.
+He pressed me hotly and, at length, the final position came&mdash;the way
+was open.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Take it!" he said, savagely&mdash;and sent the thrust that should have made
+good his promise to bury the whole blade in my heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But his point never reached me&mdash;for, as his sword glided along mine,
+seemingly unopposed, I caught it exactly as Moore had shown me and
+wrenched with all the strength of my wrist and arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was a sharp grinding of steel; and then, like a thing alive, the
+Duke's sword left his hand, sped through the air and settled, thirty
+feet away, point downward in the turf, where it stuck, quivering and
+swaying like a reed in the wind.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a cry of sharp surprise, Lotzen sprang back and watched his sword
+as it circled and fell.  I moved a step toward him.  Then, he turned to
+me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It seems, Monsieur le Coquin," he said softly, "that I was in error;
+and that it is the point of your sword and not the hilt I am to take.
+So be it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He draw himself up to attention, and raised his hand in salute.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am waiting," he said calmly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ferdinand of Lotzen was, doubtless, a bad lot.  Once that night he had
+given me to assassination; and, just now, he himself had deliberately
+tried to kill me.  He deserved no consideration; and, by every law of
+justification, could I, then and there, have driven my sword into his
+throat.  Maybe I wanted to do it, too.  We all are something of the
+savage at times.  And I think he fully expected to die.  He had told me
+frankly he purposed killing me, and he would not look for mercy,
+himself.  The dice had fallen against him.  He had lost.  And, like a
+true gambler, he was ready to pay stakes.  To give the fellow his due,
+he was brave; with the sort of bravery that meets death&mdash;when it
+must&mdash;with a smiling face and a steady eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, so, for a space, we stood.  He, erect and ready.  I, with hand on
+hip and point advanced.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I heard the gasps of women&mdash;a sob or two&mdash;and then, the rustle of
+skirts, followed instantly by Courtney's soft command.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stay, madame&mdash;the matter is for His Highness only to decide."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen laughed lightly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Strike, man," he said, "or the petticoats will steal me from you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I stepped back and shot my sword into its sheath.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Go," I ordered.  "I do not want your life.  Only, depart this house
+straightway, and take your bravoes with you.  They will have no other
+opportunity to-night.  And, mark you, sir, no further meeting with the
+Gypsy&mdash;now, nor hereafter."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He bowed low.  "Monsieur is pleased to be generous," he sneered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But I gave him my back and, removing my mask, went over to my friends.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Marquise met me with a perfect gale of apologies.  But I laughed
+them aside, telling her it was I who stood in need of pardon for
+becoming involved in such a breach of hospitality.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness might have been killed," she insisted, woman-like.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I wasn't," said I, "so, pray, think no more about it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then, Colonel Moore came up and, seeing us without our masks, he
+dropped his, also.  I watched Mademoiselle d'Essoldé's greeting to him.
+It was all even he could have wished.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I think it is about the supper hour," said Lady Vierle.  "Let us go
+in."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I offered her my arm and, masking again, we led the way.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will Your Highness tell me something?" she asked immediately.  "Did
+you know your antagonist?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I didn't see his face," I evaded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at me quickly.  "Would it be better for me not to know?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "I think it would."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was, really, no reason why I should shield Lotzen; yet, neither
+was there any reason to rattle a family skeleton in public, and raise a
+scandal, which would run the Kingdom over and be the gossip of every
+Court in Europe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I lifted my mask so she could see my face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, my dear Lady Vierle," I said earnestly, "if you would do me a
+great favor, you will promise to forget all about this unfortunate
+incident."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She, too, raised her mask and looked me frankly in the eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I promise," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And I am sure she will keep her word.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I knew I could leave it to Courtney and Moore to insure the silence of
+Lady Helen and Mademoiselle d'Essoldé.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We lingered at the table until far into the morning.  And, if Moore had
+any fault to find with his neighbor in blue, he was, indeed, a
+graceless grumbler.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lady Helen was on one side of me, and we recalled the ride we had
+together the morning shortly after the Birthday Ball, when we met the
+Princess at the Old Forge.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We never took that other ride we planned," I said&mdash;"the one to the Inn
+of the Twisted Pines."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have never asked me," she said dryly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Suppose we make it to-morrow at three," I suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I ride with Mr. Courtney, then."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We will make a party of it," said I.  "The Princess returns this
+morning and we will add Mademoiselle d'Essoldé and Colonel Moore."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, the chaperon!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hang the chaperon&mdash;the grooms can suffice for that.  Besides, we shall
+be back before dark."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will be jolly," she said.  Then she gave me a shrewd smile.  "But,
+how different from the ride as we planned it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I looked at Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He wasn't in it; was he?" I smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She leaned a bit nearer.  "Nor would you have assumed, then, to make
+engagements for the Princess Royal of Valeria without consulting her,"
+she replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  And I did not deny her inference.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When Moore saluted and turned to leave me that night, I stopped him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Colonel," said I, "I trust you enjoyed the supper."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was the most delightful I have ever&mdash;<I>heard</I>," he said.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap23"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XXIII
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+AT THE INN OF THE TWISTED PINES
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+I lunched with the King and the Princess Dehra as arranged.  Frederick
+left before the coffee, and Dehra ordered it served in her library.
+When the footman had brought it she dismissed him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now," said she, "come and tell me all about yourself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I went over and sat on the arm of her chair.  She lit a cigarette and
+put it between my lips&mdash;then, lit one for herself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you remember the first time you did that?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said she, "it was the night you flirted so outrageously with me
+in front of Lotzen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't care what you call it, since we are not flirting now," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She took my hand between hers and smiled up at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, maybe, it was not all flirting, then," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There are certain occasions which justify certain actions.  I thought
+this was one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I said: "Tell me about Lotzen's visit with you in the North."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He was there a week."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"More's the pity," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For him&mdash;yes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"For him?" I echoed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She nodded.  "I feel very sorry for Ferdinand."  Then she blushed.  "I
+think he does love me, Armand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can't blame him for that," said I.  "He's a queer sort if he
+doesn't."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Foolish!" she laughed, giving me a little tap with her fan.  "And you
+see, dear, he might have had a chance if you had not come."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I bent down until her hair brushed my face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And he has none now, sweetheart?" I said softly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You know that he has not."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And does he know it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;he knows it&mdash;now.  I told him the day he left."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was beginning to understand Lotzen's sudden change of demeanor toward
+me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What did you tell him, little woman?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked up with a bright smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See how I've spoiled you," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, spoil me just a little more," I urged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well&mdash;I told him it was you," she whispered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The understanding was growing rapidly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And what did he say to that?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I know, Armand, you don't like him; and, there, you may do him an
+injustice.  He said only the kindest things about you&mdash;that you were
+able, courteous, brave&mdash;a true Dalberg; and that, if it could not be
+he, he was glad it was you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled.  "That was clever of him," I commented.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And he, too, does not believe the Spencer woman's story."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His cleverness grows," I laughed.  "It only remains for him to
+renounce his right to the Crown."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He said it was for the King to choose which was the worthier, and
+that, if it fell to you, he would serve you faithfully and well."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I put my hand on her head and softly stroked her hair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you believed him, dear?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked up quickly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;I believed him.  I wanted to believe him&mdash;Did he deceive me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Listen," said I.  "He reached Dornlitz two days ago.  Yesterday
+afternoon he insulted me repeatedly in my office at Headquarters.  Last
+night I attended the Vierle Masque.  While in the Garden I was struck
+in the back with a dagger."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stabbed!" she exclaimed, and clutched my arm.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, dear&mdash;not even scratched, thanks to Bernheim's steel vest I was
+wearing.  Half an hour later, our cousin of Lotzen, with Mrs. Spencer
+on his arm, met me, alone, in a retired part of the Garden, forced a
+duel, and did his level best to run me through, by a trick of fence he
+thought he, alone knew."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, again, the vest saved you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No&mdash;I was fortunate enough to disarm him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Glorious, dear, glorious!" she exclaimed.  And tears filled her eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, as it was I that had caused them, it was but fair that I should
+take them away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she made me go over the whole story in detail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course you will tell the King," said she.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maybe," said I.  "I've not decided yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She got up.  "There is just time for me to get into riding dress," she
+said.  "But, first; this is Thursday&mdash;if you do not tell His Majesty of
+Lotzen's perfidy by Saturday, I shall do it, myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And I knew she would&mdash;so I made no protest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Put on the green habit and the plumed hat, dear," I said, as I held
+back the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I have always liked green&mdash;the dark rich green of the forest's
+depth&mdash;and, if there were anything more lovely than the Princess Dehra,
+when she came back to me, it is quite beyond my Imagination to conceive
+it.  He is a poor lover, indeed, who does not think his sweetheart
+fair; yet, he would have been a poor sort of man, who would not have
+been at one with me, that afternoon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And I told her so&mdash;but she called me "Foolish!" once again, and ran
+from me to the private exit of her suite, where our four companions
+were awaiting us.  But I had my reward; for she waved the groom aside
+and let me swing her into saddle and fix her skirt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+How easy it is for a clever woman to manage a man&mdash;if she care to try.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a beautiful afternoon&mdash;the road was soft and the track smooth.
+Much of it led through woodland and along a brawling stream.  The
+horses were of the sort that delight the soul&mdash;I doubt if there were
+six better saddlers in the whole Kingdom of Valeria.  I know there were
+no prettier women, and, I think, no happier men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+We passed many people&mdash;mainly country-men&mdash;and they all knew the
+Princess and loved her&mdash;bless her!&mdash;if their greetings went for aught.
+Me, they eyed with frank curiosity; and, more than once, I caught the
+drift of their comments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A pretty pair," said one, as Dehra and I drew near, our horses on a
+walk.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a pity he has a wife," the other answered.  And Dehra frowned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They match up well," said a fellow, as we paused a moment at a spring
+beside a small road house.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I glanced at Dehra; and got a smile in return.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That they do.  He does not look like a foreigner," was the answer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He is Dalberg on the outside, anyway," said a third.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, he is Dalberg inside, too&mdash;it starts there, with them," said the
+first.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And so it went, until we reached the Inn of the Twisted Pines.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was an old log and plaster building; of many gables and small
+windows; standing back a trifle from the road, with a high-walled yard
+on all four sides.  I had taken the precaution, that morning, to
+dispatch an orderly to apprise the landlord of our coming; and every
+human being about the place was drawn up within the enclosure to greet
+us.  Old Boniface met us at the gateway and held my stirrup as I
+dismounted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My poor house has had no such honor," he said, "since the time the
+Great Henry stopped for breakfast on his return from the Titian War."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, my good man," said I, "you doubtless don't recollect the Great
+Henry's visit, but, if your supper is what we hope for, I promise you
+we will honor it as highly as he did that breakfast."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness shall be served this instant."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Give us half an hour and a place to get rid of this dust," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I fancy the Inn had been changed but little since old Henry's day; and
+the big room, where our table was spread, certainly not at all.  The
+oak floor was bare and worn into ruts and ridges&mdash;the great beam
+rafters overhead were chocolate color from smoke and age&mdash;the huge
+fireplace and the wall above it were black as a half-burnt back log.
+But the food!  My mouth waters now at the thought of it.  No crazy
+French concoctions of frothy indigestibleness; but good, sweet
+cooking&mdash;the supper one gets among the old families of Maryland or
+Virginia.  It took me back more than a score of years to my young days
+on the dear old Eastern Shore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, in the midst of it, came the jolly Boniface, bearing, as carefully
+as a mother does her first-born, three long bottles, cobwebbed and
+dirty.  Eighty years had they been lying in the wine-bin of the Inn,
+guarding their treasure of Imperial Tokay.  Now, their ward was
+ended&mdash;and the supper was complete; though, in truth, it had been
+complete before.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, when we had eaten the supper and had drunk most of the Tokay, we
+freshened up the glasses with what remained.  Then, arising, I gave the
+toast which all could drink:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To the one we love the best!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But, even as we drained it, there came through the open window the
+clatter of horse's hoofs and, as the glasses smashed to bits among the
+chimney stones, the door swung open and my senior Aide entered, hot and
+dusty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He caught my eye, halted sharply, and his hand went up in salute.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Welcome, Colonel Bernheim," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again he saluted; then drew out an envelope and handed it to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Important papers for Your Highness," he said.  "They were received at
+Headquarters after your departure and, as they required action
+to-night, I thought it best to follow you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a word of apology, I walked over to the nearest window and slowly
+read the letters.  There were two and they were very brief.  Then I
+read them again&mdash;and yet again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Those at the table had, of course, resumed their talk, but Bernheim
+still stood at attention.  I motioned him to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"These are copies," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I made them, sir, from the originals&mdash;while they were en route," he
+added with a dry smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the originals?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Each was delivered promptly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You have no doubt of their genuineness?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Absolutely none&mdash;though, of course, I know only the handwriting of the
+answer."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well done," said I; "well done!"  Then I read the two papers again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you think he means it?" I asked, tapping the smaller paper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"After last night, undoubtedly.  And you must be there, sir&mdash;you and a
+witness," said Bernheim.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought a bit&mdash;then I took out my watch.  It was just six o'clock.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There is ample time," said I; "and it's worth the try.  Can it be
+arranged, do you think?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bernheim's face brightened.  "It can, sir.  If it's the room I think it
+is, there will be no difficulty; and we can depend on the manager&mdash;he
+has been well trained by the Secret Police.  You will come?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I'll come; but they come, too," and I nodded toward the table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better bring only Courtney, sir," he urged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No," said I; "several witnesses will be needed.  And, besides, I want
+them out of satisfaction to myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It may wreck the whole business," he persisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll risk it," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bernheim was wise.  He always seemed to know when to quit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good, sir," he said.  "How soon do we start?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I put my hand on his shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You are a perfect treasure, Bernheim," I said.  "Come, we will start
+at once.  Is your horse good for a fast ride back?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Entirely, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then you can give me the story on the way," I said.  "Meanwhile, get
+some refreshment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I went back to the table&mdash;and it was amusing how suddenly the
+conversation ceased and everyone looked at me.  I smiled reassuringly
+at Dehra, for there was concern in her eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Four of you," said I&mdash;"you, Princess; and you, Lady Helen; and you,
+Courtney; and you, Moore, were present at&mdash;and you, Mademoiselle
+d'Essoldé, have heard of&mdash;a certain supper party on the Hanging Garden,
+some weeks back, whereat a certain woman proclaimed herself my wife.
+That was the first act in a play which has been progressing ever since.
+The plot has thickened lately&mdash;as witness the duel at the Masque, last
+night.  And now, unless I greatly err, the last act is set for this
+evening.  If you care to see it I shall be glad for your
+company."&mdash;Then I laughed.  "A long speech," said I; "but it sounded
+well."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And promises best of all," said Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I ordered the horses; and, while we waited, I gave the letters to
+Courtney.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Read them," I said.  "The originals passed through Bernheim's hands
+this afternoon&mdash;'while en route,' as he puts it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He read them carefully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You contemplate giving them an audience?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly that," said I.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is it feasible?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bernheim says it is."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at me thoughtfully, a moment.  "It would be a great stroke to
+have the King there," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll make a try for him," I answered; "but the time is very short."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was ten miles to Dornlitz, and we did it in an hour.  On the way, I
+explained the whole situation to the Princess and read her the letters.
+She was amazed&mdash;and her indignation was intense.  Nor did she hesitate
+to express it freely before Bernheim.  And I saw his stern face break
+into a glad smile.  It told him much.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the Palace we drew rein.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Be at the Hotel Metzen at eight forty-five," said I.  "Come by the
+Court entrance&mdash;you will be expected."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then they rode away, and I hastened to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As good luck would have it, Frederick was in his cabinet and received
+me instantly.  He read the letters and looked at me inquiringly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It means a plain talk between them," I explained; "and I propose to
+hear it.  I am, sure it would interest Your Majesty&mdash;much happened
+yesterday."  And I told him of the Vierle Masque.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick frowned a bit&mdash;thought longer&mdash;then smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't much fancy eaves-dropping; but, sometimes, the end justifies
+the means," he said.  "I'll join you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There will be other witnesses, Sire," I said&mdash;and named them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't like it," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can stop them," I suggested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He considered.  "No," said he, "I understand why you want them.  I'll
+come&mdash;they will be discreet.  And the Princess would wish it so.  I'll
+bring her, myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I rode to the Metzen.  Bernheim had preceded me and, with the
+manager of the Hotel, awaited me at a side door.  The corridor was
+dimly lighted but I drew my cape well over my face and, is a moment, we
+were in a small reception room.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Monsieur Gerst," said I to the manager, "I need your assistance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gerst bowed very low.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Royal Highness has but to command," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was quite sure of that, however.  An Archduke of Valeria would have
+been quite enough, but the Governor of Dornlitz was beyond refusal.  I
+could have closed his Hotel by a word, and there would have been no
+appeal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you, monsieur," I said.  "You have as a guest, a certain Madame
+Armand Dalberg."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A guest by Your Highness's express permission, you will remember," he
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very true," said I.  "Now, this Madame Dalberg expects a visitor
+to-night at nine o'clock."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He gave me a quick glance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You know him?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, Your Highness.  I only know madame gave orders to admit no one
+to-night except a gentleman who would come at nine."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I nodded.  "It's the same," said I.  "And what I want, is to hear all
+that occurs between Madame Dalberg and this visitor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gerst smiled.  "That will be easily arranged, Your Highness&mdash;the place
+is already provided."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The concealed Gallery?" asked Bernheim, quickly?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Colonel."  Then, to me, he explained: "Madame's reception room
+was once a part of a small, state dining-room.  Back of the end wall
+runs a gallery where guests sat to listen to the speeches.  It is
+there, now&mdash;and the tapestries, with which the walls are hung,
+completely hide it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It can be reached from the floor above?" I asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Your Highness; a narrow stairway admits to it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Can we enter without being overheard by those in the room below?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very readily, sir; the gallery was so designed that its noises would
+not disturb those in the dining-room."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are in good luck, Bernheim," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We shall need all of it, sir, with eight spectators."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And he was right.  It was foolish to risk success for only a
+sentimental reason.  I knew, perfectly well, the proper course was for
+no one but the King and myself to be in the gallery; yet, there entered
+my Dalberg stubbornness.  I purposed that some of those, who had seen
+me accused that night on the Hanging Garden, should see me exculpated
+to-night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It may be, that some will question the propriety of my action, and the
+good taste of those who were my guests.  As to the latter, it must be
+borne in mind that my invitation was in the nature of a command, which
+it would have been vastly discourteous to decline.  And, besides, they
+were my friends.  As for myself, I have no excuses to offer&mdash;and,
+methinks, I need none.  The situation had long passed the refinement of
+ethics.  It was war; and war not of my declaring.  Neither was I
+responsible for the style of the campaign.  Madeline Spencer deserved
+no consideration from me&mdash;and no more did her visitor.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap24"></A>
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+XXIV
+</H3>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+THE END OF THE PLAY
+</H3>
+
+
+<P>
+I had, yet, an hour to spare, so Bernheim and I returned to the Epsau.
+I donned the evening uniform of the Red Huzzars, with the broad Ribbon
+of the Lion across my breast and the Cincinnati around my neck.  I was
+minded to be the Dalberg Archduke to-night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, having dispatched Bernheim to the Palace to escort the King and
+the Princess, I drove to the Metzen, where Gerst piloted me, by private
+corridors, to the apartments reserved for me, and which adjoined the
+Gallery.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King and the Princess were the last to arrive.  As I greeted them,
+Dehra detained me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shall we be able to see as well as hear?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said I, "if you wish."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do wish," she said.  "I'm savage to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I laughed.  "It's very becoming, dear."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then the great bell of the Cathedral began to chime the hour; and, with
+a word of caution, I led the way to the Gallery.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The floor was covered with a thick carpet and eight small chairs were
+placed close to the railing.  The tapestry was very old and thin and,
+by putting one's face close to it, the room below was rather dimly, yet
+quite sufficiently, visible.  Its dimensions were unusually
+ample&mdash;possibly forty feet by sixty&mdash;and its furnishings most gorgeous.
+The chandelier and side-lights were burning, and a huge vase lamp, pink
+shaded, was on the large table in the centre.  At the moment, the room
+was untenanted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a little while a door opposite the Gallery opened and Madeline
+Spencer entered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A woman usually knows her good points physically and how to bring them
+out.  And Mrs. Spencer was an adept in the art&mdash;though, in truth,
+little art was needed.  To her, Nature had been over generous.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She affected black; and that was her gown, now&mdash;cut daringly low and
+without a jot of color about it, save the dead white of her arms and
+shoulders, and a huge bunch of violets at her waist.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought I could guess whence the flowers came.  And, though I
+despised her, yet, I could but admit her dazzling beauty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She moved slowly about the room, touching an ornament here, a picture
+there.  At length, she came to the table and, dropping languidly into a
+chair, rested her elbow on the arm and, with chin in hand, stared into
+vacancy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently, there was a sharp knock at the corridor door.  She glanced
+quickly at the clock&mdash;then, picked up a book and, sinking back in easy
+posture, assumed to read.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Entréz," she called, without looking up.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The door opened instantly and a man entered.  A long military cloak was
+over his plain evening dress; one fold was raised to hide his face.  He
+dropped it as he closed the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mrs. Spencer lowered her book&mdash;then arose with all the sinuous grace
+she knew so well how to assume.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Welcome, Your Royal Highness," she said, and curtsied very low.  "It
+was good of you to come."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Duke of Lotzen tossed off his cloak&mdash;and, coming quickly over, took
+her hand and kissed it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was more than good of you to let me come," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I feared you might not get my note," she said.  "I believe I am under
+constant surveillance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He smiled.  "Even the Secret Police would hesitate to tamper with my
+mail," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That was my hope," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at her steadily, a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am always ready to be a&mdash;hope to you," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She dropped her eyes&mdash;then picked up a cigarette case from the table.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will Your Royal Highness smoke?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you will light it for me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(The Princess pressed my hand.  I understood.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mrs. Spencer touched the cigarette to the tiny alcohol name; then
+offered it to the Duke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Someone has spoiled you," she said lightly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen took her hand and, with it, put the cigarette between his lips.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unfortunately, no," he answered.  "But I once saw a pretty woman do
+that for another man."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(Again Dehra pressed my fingers.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And did he hold her hand afterward?" she asked&mdash;freeing her own from
+the Duke's.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They were not alone," he said&mdash;and tried to take it again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But she put both hands behind her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, Your Highness, this is not the Masque," she said.  But there was
+no reproof in her tones.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell me," said he; "how did you know me, last night?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What matters it?  Particularly, since it was only because you knew me
+that you spoke."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You think I was searching for you?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She blew a cloud of smoke under the lamp shade and watched it float out
+at the top.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Were you?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If I said yes, would it please you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not unless I thought it true, monsieur&mdash;and, also, knew the reason."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at her steadily a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What better reason could I have than that you are the most beautiful
+woman in Valeria?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She put her fan before her face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness's compliment is very delicate," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It wasn't meant for a compliment," he answered.  "If you have looked
+in your mirror, to-night, you know I speak the simple truth."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She got up and went over to a great glass, on the opposite wall.
+Lotzen followed her, and they stood there, a bit, looking in it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You like me in black?" she asked, smiling at him in the mirror.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I like you in anything," he answered&mdash;and made as though to put his
+arm around her waist.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She swung quickly away from him&mdash;just out of reach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Even in a gypsy dress?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was charming&mdash;but, I think I prefer this," and he nodded toward her
+gleaming shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She made a gesture of dissent, and they went back to the table.  Lotzen
+drew a small chair close and sat staring at her.  She studied her fan
+and waited.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he hooked his hands about his knee and leaned back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know," he said, "it's a crying shame you are married to my dear
+cousin."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked him full in the face&mdash;and smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why didn't you make me a widow, then, last night, when you had the
+chance?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen shrugged his shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The chance was all right, but the end was bad&mdash;though you didn't stay
+to see it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "Didn't I?  I stayed long enough to see your sword
+sticking in the turf.  I took that to be the end&mdash;was there more of it,
+later?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No; that was the end&mdash;for that time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And for that particular method, I fancy," said she.  "He wields a
+pretty blade."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Had you known it?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He was the best swordsman in the American Army," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ordinarily, that does not mean much," said Lotzen.  "But, as a matter
+of fact, so far as I know, he has got only one superior in Europe."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then why not get that chap to fight him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Duke laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I would be very willing to; only, the chap happens to be that infernal
+Irish adventurer, Moore, who is on his Staff."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why don't you try it again, yourself?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He tapped his cigarette carefully against the ash receiver.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Because I'm not yet tired of life," he said.  "I know when I have met
+my master."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But, one of your thrusts might go home," she insisted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at her with an amused smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes&mdash;it might," he said.  "But, you see, my dear girl, what troubles
+me are the many thrusts he has, any one of which would be sure to go
+home in me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You seem to have escaped, last night," she observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Purely by his favor&mdash;even luck hadn't a finger in it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But discretion had," she remarked.  "He would not dare kill you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen shook his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You don't seem to know this husband of yours.  A Dalberg will dare
+anything."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Some Dalbergs," she scoffed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Duke flushed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm doing badly&mdash;you think me a coward," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, no, Prince&mdash;only carefully discreet;" and she leaned back and
+slowly fanned herself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He looked at her for a bit.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you aware, my dear, that you are conniving at&mdash;some might call it
+instigating&mdash;the death of your husband?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.  "Am I?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is a very extraordinary situation," he said, blowing a ring of
+smoke and watching it circle away.  "You are so tired of him you want
+him killed; he seems equally tired of you, and, moreover, he is
+determined to marry another woman.  Yet, neither of you gets a
+divorce&mdash;and you actually follow him here&mdash;and he, then, actually
+refuses to let you depart."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fan kept moving slowly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A very extraordinary situation, indeed, Your Highness,&mdash;as you state
+it," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As I state it?" he echoed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She nodded.  "You have omitted the one material fact in the case."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And what is that?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fan stopped, and she laughed lightly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Simply this: I am not Armand Dalberg's wife."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(Dehra reached over and took my hand.  The King looked at us both and
+nodded; then clapped me on the knee.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For a space, Lotzen stared at Mrs. Spencer&mdash;and she smiled sweetly back
+at him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not his wife!" he ejaculated, presently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Her smile became a laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, monsieur; not his wife."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This time, Lotzen's stare was even longer.  Then, suddenly, he laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I thought, for a moment, you actually meant it," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She put both elbows on the table and leaned forward.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, monsieur, let us be frank with each other," she said.  "Not only
+am I not Armand Dalberg's wife, but you have always known it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He frowned.  "My dear girl," he said, "I've been sorrowfully accepting
+your own word that you are his wife; how should I know that you've
+been&mdash;&mdash;" he hesitated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She finished it for him&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lying, Duke, lying," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He held up his hands, protestingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at all, my dear; teasing is the word I wanted."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She lay back in the chair and laughed softly to herself.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you fancy the Grand Duke Armand would call it teasing?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He joined in the laugh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The victim never sees the joke," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She sat up sharply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So, then, it was intended only as a joke?" she exclaimed.  "I thought
+it had another object."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He frowned again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't quite follow you," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at him with a queer smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My being brought to Valeria to pose as his wife," she explained.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You don't mean you came here from America expressly for that purpose?"
+he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Her smile grew broader.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Really, Duke, you are most delicious," she said.  "Armand Dalberg told
+me, the other day, that I played my part beautifully&mdash;he should see
+you.  You are a <I>premier artiste</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madame flatters me," Lotzen answered with soft irony; then tried for
+her hand&mdash;and failed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, you may take it so," said she; "but, believe me, your cousin
+didn't mean it so, to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He moved over and sat on the edge of the table near her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She leaned far back and put her hands behind her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, my dear, don't be so mysterious," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let us be frank, as you suggest.  You say you are not Armand's
+wife&mdash;that, I am only too glad to believe; I am delighted.  You say I
+have always known it&mdash;that, of course, is a mistake.  You say I am
+playing a part, now&mdash;that, I don't understand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"<I>Premier artiste</I>, surely," she laughed.  Then, suddenly, grew sober.
+"By all means, let us have a frank talk," she said.  "It was for that I
+asked you here to-night&mdash;But, first, light me a cigarette, and then go
+and sit down in that chair."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Buy me with a smile," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She bought him&mdash;then he did her bidding.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I was silly enough to hope it was only I that you wanted to see," he
+said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My note gave no ground for such hopes, Your Highness," she said.  "I
+told you exactly what I wanted&mdash;to discuss a matter of immediate
+importance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, yes, I know&mdash;but then I was still thinking of the Masque."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at him naïvely.  "Surely, Duke, you are old enough to know
+that, of all follies, a Masque is chiefest and dies with the break of
+day."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "I am learning it, now, at any rate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, don't forget, it was you who ended the pleasant promenade, to
+pick a quarrel with the&mdash;Masque in Black."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But with full purpose to resume it in a moment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"After you had killed him?  Very likely!  Your sole thought would have
+been to get away."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And to take you with me," he added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.  "Nonsense, Duke; besides, I would not have gone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the promenade?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With the Black Masque dead the promenade would have been no longer
+necessary."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh," said he: "I'm beginning to understand.  You met me last night for
+a particular purpose; and that, being frustrated by the duel, is the
+reason for the appointment here this evening."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She was leaning idly back, and the fan had resumed its languid motions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Highness has stated it with charming exactness," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His face grew stern; and I saw the hand, that hung beside his chair,
+clench sharply.  Mrs. Spencer saw it, too.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't be angry, Duke," she laughed.  "Be grateful for the privilege it
+gives you of being here to-night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen got up sharply and took a step toward the door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Going, Your Highness?" asked that softly-caressing voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He swung around.  "No, I'm not going," he said&mdash;and sat down.  "A man
+would be a fool to leave you just because you treated him heartlessly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+This time, she lit the cigarette, voluntarily, and, leaning over, put
+it between his lips.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that the way you saw it done?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He seized her hand and held it for a moment; but, when he bent over it,
+she whisked it quickly away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, for the frank talk," she laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By all means," he said&mdash;and settled back to listen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She toyed with her cigarette; blowing the smoke at the shade and
+watching it rush out at the top.  It seemed to be a favorite trick of
+hers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, Your Highness is aware that, by order of the Governor of
+Dornlitz, I am kept a prisoner within the walls of the inner city."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen bowed.  "So, I have been informed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have tried every possible means to escape: disguise, bribes,
+flattery&mdash;and all of no avail.  My every motion is watched.  I am
+dogged by half the Secret Police of the Capital.  I'm not even sure of
+the fidelity of my own maid."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You poor child," said Lotzen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am sick of this sort of life.  It's worse than a prison cell.  And
+it's got to end&mdash;and that, promptly.  I sought you, last night, at the
+Masque to tell you that you must get me away and out of this miserable
+Country.  I have completed my bargain; it is now for you to complete
+yours."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Duke's face took on a look of perplexity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear girl," he said, "I haven't the remotest notion what you mean
+by your bargain and mine; but, I'm very ready to aid you to escape.
+The difficulty is, I have absolutely no power over a single soldier or
+official in Dornlitz.  The Governor's orders are absolute&mdash;none but the
+King can reverse them.  And, alas! at this moment, I have very little
+influence with His Majesty."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then, you decline to aid me?" she asked, very quietly&mdash;the smoke was
+again going through the lamp shade.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On the contrary, I am ready to do anything I can; but, I fear, I'm
+powerless.  Indeed, if you're under the close surveillance you
+indicate, it would be about impossible.  And I know whereof I speak.
+You would be no more immune in my carriage than in a public cab.  Even
+if I were beside you, you could not pass the gates.  It might, however,
+be effected in some way I cannot scheme, on the instant.  I will
+investigate and, if I can devise any method, I shall do my utmost to
+release you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She straightened up&mdash;and the fan quit its beating.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That sounds well&mdash;and may mean well; but, it's short of the mark,"
+said she.  "I am determined not to remain in this town another day.
+You must get me away before to-morrow night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Impossible!" Lotzen exclaimed.  "You know not what you ask."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked at him coldly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good, Your Highness," she said.  "I have given you your chance.
+I have played fair with you.  Now, we are quits."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you don't want my aid?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not unless it's given before noon to-morrow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He raised his hands.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There are only two people in the world who could get you out of
+Dornlitz by noon to-morrow&mdash;the King and the Governor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly," said she.  "And, to one of them, I shall go in the morning."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Better try Frederick," Lotzen laughed.  "He has a weak side for a
+pretty woman."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+(I did not look at the King&mdash;but I heard him sniff angrily.)
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No&mdash;I shall try the Governor," she returned.  "He told me, one day, in
+his office, that, when I acknowledged that I was not his wife and that
+the marriage certificate was false, I would be permitted to leave the
+Kingdom."  She paused, a moment.  "Does Your Highness wish me to go to
+the Governor?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I thought the Duke would weaken&mdash;but, as usual, I got a surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My dear girl," said he, "I shall be heartbroken if you leave
+Valeria&mdash;but, if that is all you need to do to be free to go&mdash;and you
+are not, in fact, Armand Dalberg's wife&mdash;then I am surprised that you
+have not done it long ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled, rather sadly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I fancy you are.  I'm rather surprised myself.  It would sound
+queer, to some people in America, but I have actually tried, for once
+in my life, to keep faith to the end.  But it is as I always
+thought&mdash;not worth the while.  I'll know better again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, she got up and, going behind her chair, leaned over the back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Does Your Highness realize what my going to the Governor means to
+you?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't seem to be able to follow your argument," he said; "and I'm a
+poor guesser of riddles."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It means that I shall have to tell the whole ugly story of how I
+chanced to come to Dornlitz to pose as the wife of the Grand Duke
+Armand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He took a fresh cigarette and carefully lit it.  "But, my dear girl,"
+he said, "I don't see how that would affect me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She laughed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Still the <I>premier artiste</I>!  Well, play it out.  If you want to hear
+what you already know it's no trouble to tell you.  Shall I begin at
+the very beginning?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By all means!" said he.  "Maybe, then, I can catch the point."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Listen," said she.  "For many years I have known Armand Dalberg.  One
+day, several months ago, there came a man to me, in the City of New
+York.  How he happened to find me is no matter.  He spoke English
+perfectly&mdash;though I thought he was a Frenchman.  The name on his card
+was Herbert Wilkes; but, I knew that was assumed, and I have learned,
+lately, who he is.  Since you, too, know, it is quite unnecessary to
+repeat it.  His offer to me was this: If I would go immediately to
+Dornlitz and publicly claim the American, Armand Dalberg&mdash;who had just
+been restored to his rightful place as a Grand Duke of Valeria&mdash;as my
+husband, I was to receive an enormous sum of money (the amount Your
+Highness also knows) and all expenses.  I accepted instantly, mainly
+for the money; but, also, to satisfy a personal grudge I had against
+Major Dalberg.  I made the one condition, however, that a marriage
+certificate must be procured&mdash;the date for which I gave; choosing one
+on which I happened to know Major Dalberg was in New York.  And it was
+done.  How, I neither knew nor cared.  One-half the money was given me
+in advance&mdash;the balance to be paid the day I executed my mission.  I
+received it the morning following that scene at the Grand Duke's supper
+party at the Hanging Garden.  And, God knows, I earned every cent of
+it!  I was guaranteed protection while in Valeria, and to be at liberty
+to depart one week after I had made the public assertion of the
+marriage and had exhibited the certificate."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She paused.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, perchance, Your Highness understands the matter," she added, and
+smiled sweetly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He flecked the ash from his cigarette and shook his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I understand no more than I did at first, how this plot against the
+Grand Duke Armand affects me," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Of course, it may not occur to Your Highness&mdash;but it doubtless would
+to the King&mdash;who, of all living creatures, would be most benefited and
+who most injured by my marriage story.  However, if you are not my
+employer, then, it will not hurt you.  And, as I cannot imagine who
+else it could be, I shall simply fling the whole business overboard; go
+to the Governor to-morrow; tell the truth; endorse on the marriage
+certificate the fact of its falseness; give it to him&mdash;and take the
+first train for Paris&mdash;And, I fancy, I shall read the betrothal notice
+of the Princess Royal of Valeria and the Grand Duke Armand before I've
+been there a week."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen got up and went over to her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do you know you are a very clever woman?" he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked archly up at him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You will enable me to escape?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He took her hand&mdash;and, this time, it was not withdrawn.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I will do my best," he said; "but, it's a fierce risk for me.  If
+detected, it would mean, at the very least, a year's banishment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She smiled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would mean something more than that if I told my story," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'm doing it for you; not from fear of the story," he said softly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's nicer, that way, isn't it?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He put his arm around her&mdash;and she let him kiss her, once.  Then, she
+drew away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sit down and let us talk it over," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King got up suddenly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come along, Armand," he said, and hurried from the Gallery.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I followed him, without a word&mdash;for none was needed.  The end of
+Lotzen's game was very near, indeed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the lower corridor, we met a servant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Show us to the apartments of Madame Dalberg," Frederick ordered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A dozen steps brought us to a large double door.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This is the entrance, Your Majesty," said the man.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King rapped sharply.  There was no prompt answer and he rapped
+again.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a moment, the door was opened by Mrs. Spencer's maid.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madame is not at home," she said mechanically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without a word Frederick brushed her aside and stepped quickly in&mdash;and
+I after him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mrs. Spencer sat facing the door and saw us enter.  It is inconceivable
+that she should not have been surprised, and, yet, she betrayed
+absolutely no sign of it.  Indeed, one would have thought we were
+expected guests.  Truly, she was a very wonderful woman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She said something, very low, to the Duke; then, came forward and
+curtsied to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty honors me overmuch," she said.  And then to me&mdash;"Does
+this really mean that Your Royal Highness has at last decided to
+acknowledge me?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Meanwhile, Lotzen had arisen and was standing stiffly at attention, his
+eyes on the King.  I thought his face was a trifle pale&mdash;and I did not
+wonder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick laughed, curtly, and motioned for her to rise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The play is over, Mrs. Spencer," he said.  "We will have no more
+acting, if you please."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She straightened, instantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty is pleased to be discourteous&mdash;but it seems to be a
+Dalberg characteristic," she sneered.  Then she broke out angrily:
+"And, as neither you nor that renegade there,"&mdash;indicating me with a
+nod and a look,&mdash;"was invited here, I take it I am quite justified in
+requesting you both to depart.  You may be a King, but that gives you
+no privilege to force your way into a woman's apartments and insult
+her.  You are a brave gentleman, surely, and a worthy monarch.  I
+suppose you brought your pet to protect you lest I offer you violence.
+Well, I'll give him the chance."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Even as she said it, like a flash, she seized a heavy glass vase from
+the table and hurled it straight at the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was not a woman's throw.  Madeline Spencer had learned the man's
+swing, in her Army days, and, had the vase struck home, the chances are
+there would have been a new King in Dornlitz, that night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And such was Lotzen's thought, for he smiled wickedly and glanced at me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But, quick though she was, the King was quicker.  He jerked his head
+aside.  The vase missed him by the fraction of an inch and crashed to
+bits against the opposite wall.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick turned and looked at the fragments, and at the cut in the
+hangings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madame is rather muscular," he observed, dryly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And Your Majesty is a clever dodger," she said, with sneering
+indifference&mdash;then leaned back against the table, a hand on either side
+of her.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is it possible you are not going?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King smiled.  "Presently, my dear madame, presently.  Meanwhile, I
+pray you, have consideration for the ornaments and the wall."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As I cannot expect the servants to forcibly eject their King, and as
+the Duke of Lotzen dare not, I presume I'll have to submit to your
+impertinent intrusion.  Pray, let me know your business here&mdash;I assume
+it is business&mdash;and get it ended quickly.  I will expedite it all I
+may.  Anything, to be rid of you and that popinjay in red beside you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your husband, madame," the King observed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, my husband, for a time," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aye, Mrs. Spencer, your husband for a time&mdash;for a purpose&mdash;and for a
+consideration."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She opened her eyes wide.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Indeed!" she laughed.  "I thought the acting was over, Sire."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick's manner changed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is," he said sharply.  "We will come to the point.  Have you ink
+and pen?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that what you came for?" she sneered.  "Have you none at the
+Palace?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite enough to sign an order within an hour for your incarceration if
+you continue obdurate," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A kingly threat, truly," she mocked.  "And, what if I be not obdurate?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then it will be an order permitting you to leave Valeria at once."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, Your Majesty interests me," she said.  "I have been waiting for
+that a month and more.  What is the price for this order?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Simply the truth, madame," said the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sometimes, the truth is the highest price one can pay," she answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It will be very easy here," he said.  "You have a paper purporting to
+be a certificate of marriage between you and Armand Dalberg."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She inclined her head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"On it you will endorse that it is a false certificate; that you are
+not and never were his wife; that it was procured for you, in New York,
+long subsequent to its apparent date; and that you were paid an
+enormous sum of money&mdash;fill in the actual amount, please&mdash;to go
+immediately to Dornlitz, exhibit the certificate, there, and publicly
+claim the Grand Duke Armand as your husband.  That, madame, is all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I was observing Lotzen; and, even now, his nerve never failed him.  He
+watched the King, intently, as he spoke.  At the end, his face took on
+a smile of cynical indifference&mdash;and, dropping from the respectful
+position in which he had been standing, he turned and sat on the table,
+one leg swinging carelessly over the corner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mrs. Spencer shot a quick glance at him&mdash;but he gave no answer back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty has omitted one little matter," she said.  "By whom shall
+I say the money was paid?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank you&mdash;so I had.  Make it&mdash;by persons to you unknown."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mrs. Spencer smiled frankly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your Majesty was quite right," she said.  "The play is over."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She touched a bell&mdash;the maid entered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My jewel case," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King crossed to a writing desk and, taking pen and ink, placed them
+on the table.  Then the maid brought the casket.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From the bottom tray, Mrs. Spencer took a paper and handed it to the
+King, who, after a glance, returned it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If your Majesty will dictate, I will write," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Slowly, Frederick repeated the confession&mdash;and the pen scratched out
+line after line on the white page.  When it was ended, she passed it
+back again to the King, and he read it carefully.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sign it, please," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She looked up, with an amused smile.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With what name?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your lawful one," said Frederick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madeline Spencer," she answered&mdash;and dashed it off.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, for the first time since we entered the room, the King looked at
+Lotzen.  Hitherto, he had ignored him, utterly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Witness it," he said sternly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I smiled&mdash;and so did Madeline Spencer.  It was the refinement of
+retribution.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without a word or a change of feature, Lotzen obeyed.  Then Frederick,
+himself, signed it; and, folding it carefully, gave it to me.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will Your Majesty graciously pardon the violence I offered you?" Mrs.
+Spencer said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick nodded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Readily, madame," he said.  "In a way, you were justified&mdash;and, then,
+you missed me.  Had you hit me, my pardon might not have been required."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And will you not tell me how you discovered the truth?" she asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I chanced to learn of this meeting with His Royal Highness, the Duke
+of Lotzen, and was a witness of all that occurred here between you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You cannot mean that you overheard our conversation!" she exclaimed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Every word," said the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But where&mdash;and how?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Duke glanced up toward the Gallery&mdash;and a bitter smile crossed his
+face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"His Grace of Lotzen has guessed it," said Frederick.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned to the Duke interrogatingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The gallery&mdash;behind the arras, yonder," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Exactly," said the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And you forgot the Gallery?" Mrs. Spencer asked, mockingly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," said he, with a shrug and a lift of his eyebrows, "I forgot it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She turned to the King.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I shall be ready, Sire, to depart for Paris on the evening train,
+to-morrow," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You shall have the permit in the morning," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he turned to Lotzen&mdash;and the Duke saw and understood.  He
+straightened up and his heels came together sharply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Frederick looked at him, sternly for a moment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is unnecessary, sir, for me to particularize," he said.  "You know
+your crimes and their purpose&mdash;so do I.  The Court has no present need
+of plotters and will be the better for your absence.  It has been over
+long since you visited your titular estates, and they doubtless require
+your immediate attention.  You are, therefore, permitted to depart to
+them forthwith&mdash;and to remain indefinitely."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lotzen's hand rose in salute.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, Your Majesty," he answered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The King bowed to Mrs. Spencer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Madame, I bid you good evening and good-bye," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+She curtsied low.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I thank Your Majesty for your gracious consideration," she said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then she stepped quickly toward me and held out her hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Will you not say farewell, Armand&mdash;as in the days, long past?" she
+asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+I knew the Princess was looking; but I was in a generous mood.  I took
+her hand and bowed over it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Captain Dalberg bids farewell to Colonel Spencer's wife," I said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then I followed the King.
+</P>
+
+<BR>
+
+<P>
+A week has passed since the night in the Gallery.  Madeline Spencer has
+gone&mdash;forever from my path, I trust.  His Royal Highness, the Duke of
+Lotzen, has taken a long leave, and is sojourning on his mountain
+estates for the benefit of his health.  There has been another supper
+of six at the Inn of the Twisted Pines&mdash;with four bottles of Imperial
+Tokay; and, afterward, a charming ride home in the moonlight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To-night, there is to be a great State Dinner at the Palace, whereat
+His Majesty will formally announce the betrothal of the Princess Royal
+of Valeria and Field Marshal, the Grand Duke Armand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So much I know&mdash;and, surely, it is enough; and far more than enough.
+Yet, having that fixed and settled, there is another matter touching
+which Dehra and I have a vast curiosity:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+What says the great, brass-bound Laws of the Dalbergs?  Has the Order
+of Succession been changed?  Will I supplant Lotzen as the Heir
+Presumptive?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But, on that, His Majesty is silent; and the Book is locked.  Nor does
+even the Princess venture to inquire.  Perchance, he is reserving it
+for a surprise at the Dinner, to-night.  Perchance, he thinks I have
+honor sufficient.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Yet, none the less, do I wonder; and, I confess it, none the less do I
+hope.  Nor is the hope for myself alone&mdash;for, to be an Archduke of
+Valeria is rank enough for any man&mdash;but, also, for her whom I love, and
+the Nation loves, and who was born to wear a Crown.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And, for her dear sake, do I pray, with all humility, yet, somehow,
+with the confidence of Right, that, in my unworthy self, the Line of
+stubborn old Hugo may come to its own again.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR><BR>
+
+<hr class="full" noshade>
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Colonel of the Red Huzzars, by John Reed
+Scott, Illustrated by Clarence F. Underwood
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Colonel of the Red Huzzars
+
+
+Author: John Reed Scott
+
+
+
+Release Date: November 22, 2005  [eBook #17131]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Al Haines
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 17131-h.htm or 17131-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/1/3/17131/17131-h/17131-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/1/3/17131/17131-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+
+by
+
+JOHN REED SCOTT
+
+With Illustrations by Clarence F. Underwood
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: "You are a soldier--an American officer?"
+she said, suddenly.]
+
+
+
+Grosset & Dunlap
+Publishers, New York
+Copyright 1905 by John Reed Scott
+Copyright 1906 by J. B. Lippincott Co.
+Published June, 1906
+
+
+
+
+TO MY WIFE
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+     I.  A PICTURE AND A WAGER
+    II.  CONCERNING ANCESTORS
+   III.  IN DORNLITZ AGAIN
+    IV.  THE SALUTE OF A COUSIN
+     V.  THE SALUTE OR A FRIEND
+    VI.  THE SIXTH DANCE
+   VII.  AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
+  VIII.  THE LAWS OF THE DALBERGS
+    IX.  THE DECISION
+     X.  THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+    XI.  THE FATALITY OF MOONLIGHT
+   XII.  LEARNING MY TRADE
+  XIII.  IN THE ROYAL BOX
+   XIV.  THE WOMAN IN BLACK
+    XV.  HER WORD AND HER CERTIFICATE
+   XVI.  THE PRINCESS ROYAL SITS AS JUDGE
+  XVII.  PITCH AND TOSS
+ XVIII.  ANOTHER ACT IN THE PLAY
+   XIX.  MY COUSIN, THE DUKE
+    XX.  A TRICK OF FENCE
+   XXI.  THE BAL MASQUE
+  XXII.  BLACK KNAVE AND WHITE
+ XXIII.  AT THE INN OF THE TWISTED PINES
+  XXIV.  THE END OF THE PLAY
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"You are a soldier--an American officer?" she said,
+  suddenly. . . . . . _Frontispiece_
+
+Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first time.
+
+Our swords fell to talking in the garden of the masked ball.
+
+
+
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+
+
+I
+
+A PICTURE AND A WAGER
+
+It was raining heavily and I fastened my overcoat to the neck as I came
+down the steps of the Government Building.  Pushing through the crowds
+and clanging electric cars, at the Smithfield Street corner, I turned
+toward Penn Avenue and the Club, whose home is in a big, old-fashioned,
+grey-stone building--sole remnant of aristocracy in that section where,
+once, naught else had been.
+
+For three years I had been the engineer officer in charge of the
+Pittsburgh Harbor, and "the navigable rivers thereunto belonging"--as
+my friend, the District Judge, across the hall, would say--and my
+relief was due next week.  Nor was I sorry.  I was tired of dams and
+bridges and jobs, of levels and blue prints and mathematics.  I wanted
+my sword and pistols--a horse between my legs--the smell of gunpowder
+in the air.  I craved action--something more stirring than dirty banks
+and filthy water and coal-barges bound for Southern markets.
+
+Five years ago my detail would have been the envy of half the Corps.
+But times were changed.  The Spanish War had done more than give straps
+to a lot of civilians with pulls; it had eradicated the dry-rot from
+the Army.  The officer with the soft berth was no longer deemed lucky;
+promotion passed him by and seized upon his fellow in the field.  I had
+missed the war in China and the fighting in the Philippines and, as a
+consequence, had seen juniors lifted over me.  Yet, possibly, I had
+small cause to grumble; for my own gold leaves had dropped upon me in
+Cuba, to the disadvantage of many who were my elders, and, doubtless,
+my betters as well.  I had applied for active service, but evidently it
+had not met with approval, for my original orders to report to the
+Chief of Engineers were still unchanged.
+
+The half dozen "regulars," lounging on the big leather chairs before
+the fireplace in the Club reception-room, waiting for the dinner hour,
+gave me the usual familiar yet half indifferent greeting, as I took my
+place among them and lit a cigar.
+
+"Mighty sorry we're to lose you, Major," said Marmont.  "Dinner won't
+seem quite right with your chair vacant."
+
+"I'll come back occasionally to fill it," I answered.  "Meanwhile there
+are cards awaiting all of you at the Metropolitan or the Army and Navy."
+
+"Then you don't look for an early assignment to the White Elephant
+across the Pacific?" inquired Courtney.
+
+"Good Lord!" exclaimed Hastings, "did you apply for the Philippines?"
+
+"What ails them?" I asked.
+
+"Everything--particularly Chaffee's notion that white uniforms don't
+suit the climate?"
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"Is that a criticism of your superior officer?" Marmont demanded.
+
+"That is never done in the Army," I answered.
+
+"Which being the case let us take a drink," said Westlake, and led the
+way to the cafe.
+
+"Looks rather squally in Europe," Courtney observed, as the dice were
+deciding the privilege of signing the check.
+
+"It will blow over, I fancy," I answered.
+
+"Have you seen the afternoon papers?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then you don't know the Titian Ambassador has been recalled."
+
+"Indeed!  Well, I still doubt if it means fight."
+
+Courtney stroked his grey imperial.  "Getting rather near one, don't
+you think?" he said.
+
+"No closer than France and Turkey were only a short while ago," I
+answered.  "Moreover, in this case, the Powers would have a word to
+say."
+
+"Yes, they are rather ready to speak out on such occasions; but, unless
+I'm much mistaken, if the Titians and the Valerians get their armies
+moving it will take more than talk from the Powers to stop them."
+
+"And it's all over a woman," I observed carelessly.
+
+Courtney gave me a sharp glance.  "I thought that was rather a secret,"
+he replied.
+
+I laughed.  "It's one, at least, that the newspapers have not
+discovered--yet.  But, where did you get it?"
+
+"From a friend; same as yourself," he said, with the suggestion of a
+smile.
+
+"My dear fellow," I said.  "I know more about the Kingdom of Valeria
+than--well, than your friend and all his assistants of the State
+Department."
+
+"I don't recall mentioning the State Department," Courtney replied.
+
+"You didn't.  I was honoring your friend by rating him among the
+diplomats."
+
+He ignored my thrust.  "Ever been to Valeria?" he asked.
+
+I nodded.
+
+"Recently?"
+
+"About six years ago."
+
+"Is that the last time?"
+
+"What are you driving at?" I asked.
+
+He answered with another question: "Seen the last number of the London
+Illustrated News?"
+
+"No," I answered.
+
+He struck the bell.  "Bring me the London News," he said to the boy.
+Opening it at the frontispiece he pushed it across to me.
+
+"Has she changed much since you saw her?" he asked, and smiled.
+
+It was a woman's face that looked at me from the page; and, though it
+was six years since I had seen it last, I recognized it instantly.
+There was, however, a certain coldness in the eyes and a firm set of
+the lip and jaw that were new to me.  But, as I looked, they seemed to
+soften, and I could have sworn that for an instant the Princess Dehra
+of Valeria smiled at me most sweetly--even as once she herself had done.
+
+"You seem uncommonly well pleased with the lady," Courtney observed.
+
+I handed back the News.
+
+"You have not answered my question," he insisted.
+
+"Look here, Courtney," I said, "it seems to me you are infernally
+inquisitive to-night."
+
+"Maybe I am--only, I wanted to know something," and he laughed softly.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"I think I know it now," he said.
+
+"Do you?" I retorted.
+
+"Want to make a bet?" he asked.
+
+"I never bet on a certainty," said I.
+
+Courtney laughed.  "Neither do I, so here's the wager:--a dinner for
+twenty that you and I are in Valeria thirty days from to-night and have
+dined with the King and danced with the Princess."
+
+"Done!" said I.
+
+"All I stipulate is that you do nothing to avoid King Frederick's
+invitation."
+
+"And the Princess?" I asked.
+
+"I'm counting on her to win me the bet," he laughed.
+
+I picked up the picture and studied it again.  The longer I looked the
+more willing I was to give Courtney a chance to eat my dinner.
+
+"If the opportunity comes I'll dance with her," I said.
+
+"Of course you will--but will you stop there, I wonder?"
+
+I tapped my grey-besprinkled hair.
+
+"They are no protection," he said.  "I don't trust even my own to keep
+me steady against a handsome woman."
+
+"They are playing us false even now," said I.  "I'm not going to
+Valeria to decide a dinner bet."
+
+"You're not.  You're going as the representative of our Army to observe
+the Valerian-Titian War."
+
+"You're as good as a gypsy or a medium.  When do I start?"
+
+"Don't be rude, my dear chap, and forget that, under the wager, I'm to
+be in the King's invitation--also the dance.  We sail one week from
+to-day."
+
+"A bit late to secure accommodations, isn't it?"
+
+"They are booked--on the Wilhelm der Grosse."
+
+"You are playing a long shot--several long shots," I
+laughed:--"War--Washington--me."
+
+"Wrong," said Courtney.  "I'm playing only War.  I have the Secretary
+and the Princess has you."
+
+"You have the Secretary!"
+
+"Days ago."
+
+"The Devil!" I exclaimed, lifting my glass abstractedly.
+
+"The Princess! you mean," said Courtney quickly, lifting his own and
+clicking mine.
+
+I looked at the picture again--and again it seemed to smile at me.
+
+"The Princess!" I echoed; and we drank the toast.  "We're a pair of old
+fools," said I, when the glasses were emptied.
+
+Courtney picked up the News and held the picture before me.
+
+"Say that to her," he challenged.
+
+"I can't be rude to her very face," I answered lamely.
+
+Just then one of the "buttons" handed me a telegram.  I tore open the
+yellow envelope and read the sheet, still damp from the copy-press.  It
+ran:--
+
+
+"Titia declares war.  Detail as attache open.  If desired report at
+headquarters immediately.  Hennecker relieves you in morning.  Answer."
+
+"(signed) HENDERSON, A. A. G."
+
+
+I tossed it over to Courtney.  "You're that much nearer the dinner," I
+said.
+
+"And the Princess also," he added.
+
+"Then you're actually going?" I asked.
+
+"My dear Major, did you ever doubt it?"
+
+"Your vagaries are past doubting," I answered.
+
+"And yours?"
+
+"I am going under orders of the War Department."
+
+"Of course," he answered, "of course.  And, that being so, you won't
+mind my confessing that I'm going largely on account of--a woman."
+
+"I won't mind anything that gives me your companionship."
+
+"So, it's settled," he said.  "Let us have some dinner, and then cut in
+for a farewell turn in the game of hearts upstairs."
+
+"It will be another sort of game over the water," I observed.
+
+"Yes--with a different sort of hearts," he said thoughtfully.
+
+"Is it possible, Courtney, you are growing sentimental?" I demanded.
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "There's no fool like an old fool, you
+know," he answered.
+
+"Unless it be one that is just old enough to be neither old nor young,"
+said I.
+
+Then we went in to dinner.
+
+Courtney is a good fellow; one of the best friends a man can have; well
+born, rich, with powerful political connections in both Parties, and
+having no profession nor necessary occupation to tie him down.  His
+tastes ran to diplomacy, and Secretaries of State--knowing this fact,
+and being further advised of it at various times by certain prominent
+Senators--had given him numerous secret missions to both Europe and
+South America.  Legations had been offered to him but these he had
+always declined; for, as he told me, he preferred the quiet,
+independent work, that carried no responsible social duties with it.
+
+It happened that General Russell, our representative at the Court of
+Valeria, was home on vacation.  Naturally, he would now return in all
+haste.  Here, I imagined, was an explanation of my sudden orders.  He
+was an intimate of our family; had known me since childhood, and,
+doubtless, had asked for my detail to his household, and also for
+Courtney's.  And Courtney, naturally, having been early consulted in
+the matter, knew all the facts and so was able to bluff at me with
+them.  It would be just as well to call him.
+
+"Is General Russell crossing with us?" I asked carelessly.
+
+Courtney shook his head.  "He is not going back to Valeria."
+
+"Oh!" said I, realizing suddenly my mistake, "I didn't appreciate I was
+dining with an Ambassador."
+
+"It's not yet announced.  However, I'm glad it does not change me," he
+laughed.
+
+"I can tell that better after we reach Valeria--and you have danced
+with the Princess."
+
+He sipped his coffee meditatively.  "Yes, there may be changes in
+Valeria in us both," he said presently.
+
+"Don't do the heavy reproof if I chance to forget the difference in our
+rank," I answered.  "But you must manage one turn for me with Her Royal
+Highness, if you're to eat my dinner, you know."
+
+"How many times have you been to Valeria?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Some half dozen," I replied, surprised.
+
+"Ever been in the private apartments of the Palace of Dornlitz?"
+
+"No--I think not."
+
+"I mean, particularly, the corridor where hang the portraits of the
+Kings?"
+
+"I don't recall them."
+
+He laughed shortly.  "Believe me, you would recall them well," he said.
+
+"What the devil are you driving at?" I asked.
+
+"I'll show you the night you dance with the Princess."
+
+"A poor army officer doesn't usually have such honors."
+
+"No--not if he be only a poor army officer.  But, if he chance to
+be----"
+
+"Well," I said, "be what?"
+
+"I'll tell you in the picture gallery," he answered.
+
+And not another word would he say in the matter.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+CONCERNING ANCESTORS
+
+However, I did not need to wait so long for my answer.  I knew it quite
+as well as Courtney--maybe a trifle better.  Nevertheless, it is a bit
+jolting to realize, suddenly, that some one has been prying into your
+family history.
+
+On the west wall of the Corridor of Kings, in the Palace of Dornlitz,
+hung the full-length portrait of Henry, third of the name and tenth of
+the Line.  A hundred and more years had passed since he went to his
+uncertain reward; and now, in me, his great-great-grandson, were his
+face and figure come back to earth.
+
+I had said, truly enough, that I had never been in the Gallery of
+Kings.  But it was not necessary for me to go there to learn of this
+resemblance to my famous ancestor.  For, handed down from eldest son to
+eldest son, since the first Dalberg came to American shores, and, so,
+in my possession now, was an ivory miniature of the very portrait which
+Courtney had in mind.
+
+And the way of it, and how I chanced to be of the blood royal of
+Valeria, was thus:
+
+Henry the Third--he of the portrait--had two sons, Frederick and Hugo,
+and one daughter, Adela.  Frederick, the elder son, in due time came to
+the throne and, dying, passed the title to his only child, Henry; who,
+in turn, was succeeded by his only child, Frederick, the present
+monarch.
+
+Adela, the daughter, married Casimir, King of Titia,--and of her
+descendants more anon.
+
+Hugo, the younger son, was born some ten years after his brother,--to
+be accurate, in 1756,--and after the old King had laid aside his sword
+and retired into the quiet of his later years.  With an honestly
+inherited love of fighting, and the inborn hostility to England that,
+even then, had existed in the Valerians for a hundred years, Hugo
+watched with quickening interest the struggle between the North
+American Colonies and Great Britain which began in 1775.  When the
+Marquis de Lafayette threw in his fortunes with the Americans, Hugo had
+begged permission to follow the same course.  This the old King had
+sternly refused; pointing out its impropriety from both a political and
+a family aspect.
+
+But Hugo was far from satisfied, and his desire to have a chance at
+England waxing in proportion as the Colonies' fortunes waned, he at
+last determined to brave his fierce old father and join the struggling
+American army whether his sire willed it or no.  His mind once formed,
+he would have been no true son of Henry had he hesitated.
+
+The King heard him quietly to the end,--too quietly, indeed, to presage
+well for Hugo.  Then he answered:
+
+"I take it sir, your decision is made beyond words of mine to change.
+Of course, I could clap you into prison and cool your hot blood with
+scant diet and chill stones, but, such would be scarce fitting for a
+Dalberg.  Neither is it fitting that a Prince of Valeria should fight
+against a country with which I am at peace.  Therefore, the day you
+leave for America will see your name stricken from the rolls of our
+House, your title revoked, and your return here prohibited by royal
+decree.  Do I make myself understood?"
+
+So far as I have been able to learn, no one ever accused my
+great-grandfather of an inability to understand plain speech, and old
+Henry's was not obscure.  Indeed, Hugo remembered it so well that he
+made it a sort of preface in the Journal which he began some months
+thereafter, and kept most carefully to the very last day of his life.
+The Journal says he made no answer to his father save a low bow.
+
+Two days later, as plain Hugo Dalberg, he departed for America.  For
+some time he was a volunteer Aide to General Washington.  Later,
+Congress commissioned him colonel of a regiment of horse; and, as such,
+he served to the close of the war.  When the Continental Army was
+disbanded, he purchased a place upon the eastern shore of Maryland;
+and, marrying into one of the aristocratic families of the
+neighborhood, settled down to the life of a simple country gentleman.
+
+He never went back to the land of his birth, nor, indeed, even to
+Europe.  And this, though, one day, there came to his mansion on the
+Chesapeake the Valerian Minister to America and, with many bows and
+genuflections, presented a letter from his brother Frederick,
+announcing the death of their royal father and his own accession, and
+offering to restore to Hugo his rank and estates if he would return to
+court.
+
+And this letter, like his sword, his Order of the Cincinnati, his
+commissions and the miniature, has been the heritage of the eldest son.
+In his soldier days his nearest comrade had been Armand, Marquis de la
+Rouerie, and for him his first-born was christened; and hence my own
+queer name--for an American: Armand Dalberg.
+
+There was one of the traditions of our House that had been scrupulously
+honored: there was always a Dalberg on the rolls of the Army; though
+not always was it the head of the family, as in my case.  For the rest,
+we buried our royal descent.  And though it was, naturally, well known
+to my great-grandsire's friends and neighbors, yet, in the succeeding
+generations, it has been forgotten and never had I heard it referred to
+by a stranger.
+
+Therefore, I was surprised and a trifle annoyed at Courtney's
+discovery.  Of course, it was possible that he had been attracted only
+by my physical resemblance to the Third Henry and was not aware of the
+relationship; but this was absurdly unlikely, Courtney was not one to
+stop at half a truth and Dalberg was no common name.  Doubtless the
+picture had first put him on the track and after that the rest was
+easy.  What he did not know, however, but had been manoeuvring to
+discover, was how far I was known at the Court of Valeria.  Well, he
+was welcome to what he had got.
+
+Now, as a matter of fact, it was quite likely that the Dalbergs of
+Dornlitz had totally forgotten the Dalbergs of America.  Since
+Frederick's minister had rumbled away from that mansion on the
+Chesapeake, a century and more ago, there had been no word passed
+between us.  Why should there be?  We had been disinherited and
+banished.  They had had their offer of reinstatement courteously
+refused.  We were quits.
+
+I think I was the first of the family to set foot within Valeria since
+Hugo left it.  Ten years ago, during a summer's idling in Europe, I had
+been seized with the desire to see the land of my people.  It was a
+breaking of our most solemn canon, yet I broke it none the less.  Nor
+was that the only time.  However, I had the grace,--and, possibly, the
+precaution,--to change my name on such occasions.  In the Kingdom of
+Valeria I was that well-known American, Mr. John Smith.
+
+I did the ordinary tourist; visited the places of interest, and put up
+at the regular hotels.  Occasionally, I was stared at rather
+impertinently by some officer of the Guards and I knew he had noted my
+resemblance to the national hero.  I never made any effort to be
+presented to His Majesty nor to establish my relationship.  I should
+have been much annoyed had anything led to it being discovered.
+
+Once, in the park of the palace, I had passed the King walking with a
+single aide-de-camp, and his surprise was such he clean forgot to
+return my salute; and a glance back showed him at a stand and gazing
+after me.  I knew he was thinking of the portrait in the Corridor of
+Kings.  That was the last time I had seen my royal cousin.
+
+The next day, while riding along a secluded bridle path some miles from
+Dornlitz, I came upon a woman leading a badly-limping horse.  She was
+alone,--no groom in sight,--and drawing rein I dismounted and asked if
+I could be of service.  Then I saw her face, and stepped back in
+surprise.  Her pictures were too plentiful in the capital for me to
+make mistake.  It was the Princess Dehra.
+
+I bowed low.  "Your Royal Highness's pardon," I said.  "I did not mean
+to presume."
+
+She measured me in a glance.  "Indeed, you are most opportune," she
+said, with a frank smile.  "I have lost the groom,--his horse was too
+slow,--and I've been punished by Lotta picking a stone I cannot remove."
+
+CONCERNING ANCESTORS   25
+
+"By your leave," I said, and lifted the mare's hoof.  Pressing back the
+frog I drew out the lump of sharp gravel.
+
+"It looks so easy," she said.
+
+"It was paining her exceedingly, but she is all right now."
+
+"Then I may mount?"
+
+I bowed.
+
+"Without hurting Lotta?" she asked.
+
+I turned the mare about and dropped my hand into position.  For a
+moment she hesitated.  Then there was the swish of a riding skirt, the
+glint of a patent-leather boot, an arched foot in my palm, and without
+an ounce of lift from me she was in the saddle.
+
+I stepped back and raised my hat.
+
+She gathered the reins slowly; then bent and patted the mare's neck.
+
+I made no move.
+
+"I am waiting," she said presently, with a quick glance my way.
+
+"I do not see the groom," said I, looking back along the road.
+
+She gave a little laugh.  "You won't," she said.  "He thinks I went
+another way."
+
+"Then Your Highness means----"
+
+"You do not look so stupid," she remarked.
+
+"Sometimes men's looks are deceiving."
+
+"Then, sir, Her Highness means she is waiting for you to mount," she
+said, very graciously.
+
+"As her groom?" I asked.
+
+"As anything you choose, so long as you ride beside me to the hill
+above the Park."
+
+I took saddle at the vault and we trotted away.
+
+"Why did you make me ask for your attendance?" she demanded.
+
+"Because I dared not offer it."
+
+"Another deception in your looks," she replied.
+
+I laughed.  She had evened up.
+
+"You are a soldier--an American officer?" she said suddenly.
+
+"Your Highness has guessed most shrewdly," I answered, in surprise.
+
+"Are you staying at the Embassy?" she asked.
+
+"No," said I.  "I am not on the staff.  I am only a bird of passage."
+
+"Do you know General Russell?"
+
+"My father knew him, I believe," I answered, evasively, and turned the
+talk into less personal matters.
+
+When we reached the hill I drew rein.  Down in the valley lay the
+Summer Palace and the gates of the Park were but a few hundred yards
+below us.  I dismounted to say good-bye.
+
+"I am very grateful for your courtesy," she said.
+
+"It is for the stranger to be grateful for your trust," I answered.
+
+She smiled,--that smile was getting into my poor brain--"A woman
+usually knows a gentleman," she said.
+
+I bowed.
+
+"And under certain circumstances she likes to know his name," she added.
+
+For a moment I was undecided.  Should I tell her and claim my
+cousinship?  I was sorely tempted.  Then I saw what a mistake it would
+be,--she would not believe it,--and answered:
+
+"John Smith, Your Royal Highness, and your most obedient servant."
+
+She must have noticed my hesitation, for she studied my face an
+instant, then said, with a pause between each word and a peculiar
+stress on the name:
+
+"General--Smith?"
+
+"Simple Captain," I answered.  "We do not climb so rapidly in our Army."
+
+Just then, from the barracks three miles away, came the boom of the
+evening gun.
+
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I am late.  I must hasten.  Good-bye, _mon
+Capitaine_; you have been very kind."
+
+She drew off her gauntlet and extended her hand.  I bent and
+kissed,--possibly too lingeringly,--the little fingers.
+
+"Farewell, Princess," I said.  And then, half under my breath, I added:
+"Till we meet again."
+
+She heard, and again that smile.  "'_Auf Wiedersehen_' be it," she
+answered.
+
+Then she rode away.
+
+I leaned against my horse's shoulder and watched her as she went slowly
+down the hill, the full glory of the sinking sun upon her, and the
+shadows of the great trees close on either side.  Presently there came
+a bend in the road and, turning in the saddle, she waved her hand.
+
+I answered with my hat.  Then she was gone.  That was how I met the
+Princess Royal of Valeria.  And, unless she has told it (which,
+somehow, I doubt), none knows it but ourselves.  I had never seen her
+since.  Perhaps that is why I was quite content for Courtney to win his
+bet.  Truly, a man's heart does not age with his hair.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+IN DORNLITZ AGAIN
+
+The declaration of war by Titia had come so suddenly that when Courtney
+and I sailed for Europe, the Powers were still in the air and watching
+one another.  No battle had been fought; but the armies were frowning
+at each other on the frontier, and several skirmishes had occurred.
+
+Ostensibly, the trouble was over a slice of territory which Henry the
+Third had taken from Titia as an indemnity for some real or fancied
+wrongs done him.  Valeria, with its great general and powerful army,
+was too strong in those days for Titia to do more than protest--and,
+then, to take its punishment, which, for some reason that was doubtless
+sufficient to him.  Henry had seen fit to make as easy as it might be,
+by giving his daughter, Adela, to Casimir for wife.
+
+Whether the lady went voluntarily or not I cannot say.  Yet it was,
+doubtless, the same with both Kings: The one got an unwilling province;
+the other, an unwilling bride.  Only, Titia's trouble was soonest over.
+
+This ravished Murdol had always been a standing menace to the peace of
+the two countries; Titia had never forgiven its seizure, and Valeria
+was afflicted with the plague of disaffected subjects on its very
+border.  Here, as I have said, was the real _casus belli_,--a constant
+irritation that had at length got past bearing.
+
+But, in truth, the actual breach was due to a woman.  The Crown Prince
+of Titia had come a wooing of the Princess Royal of Valeria, and had
+been twice refused by her.  King Frederick had left the question
+entirely in her hands.  Her choice was her own, to marry or to decline.
+As a matter of state policy the match was greatly desired by him and
+his Ministers.  They were becoming very weary of Murdol and the turmoil
+it maintained on the border, and the great force of troops required
+there to preserve order.  Then, too, Titia had grown vastly in wealth
+and population since old Henry's time, and, now, was likely more than a
+match for its ancient enemy.   Frederick was aging and desired peace in
+his closing years.  He had long wished for a diplomatic way to rid
+himself of the troublesome province, and the marriage of Casimir and
+Dehra would afford it.  Murdol could be settled upon the Princess as
+her dower.
+
+It was an admirable solution of the whole vexing question.  Yet, unlike
+old Henry, Frederick was the father before he was the King; and, beyond
+telling the Princess frankly the policy which moved him in the matter,
+he did nothing to coerce her.  But the Ministers had no scruples of
+affection nor of kinship to control them and they brought all sorts of
+persuasive pressure upon her to obtain her consent to the match.  All
+this was known to the Kingdom, and the vast majority of the people were
+with the Princess.  The Army was with her to a man.
+
+The first proposal Dehra had declined promptly to the Prince in person.
+He had made it lover-like, and not through the diplomatic channels.
+After that the Titian Foreign Office took a hand, and the poor girl's
+troubles began.
+
+For six months the matter pended,--and still Dehra held firm.  Then
+Titia mobilized its army and demanded a decision within two
+days:--either the Princess or Murdol.  It got a "No" in two hours.  The
+declaration of war followed straight-way.
+
+Most of these facts were already known to me.  Those of latest
+happening came to Courtney from the State Department on the eve of our
+sailing.
+
+"It looks like a one-battle war," he had observed.
+
+"Add a letter to your sentence and you will be nearer right," I
+answered.
+
+He laughed.  "A none-battle war, you mean."
+
+And so it proved.  When we landed it was to find that Germany had
+offered to mediate, and that, while the two Kingdoms were thinking it
+over, a truce had been declared.  Consequently, instead of hurrying
+straight to the Valerian army, I journeyed leisurely with Courtney to
+the capital.  There the first news that met us was that Germany's
+mediation had been accepted and that the war was at an end--for the
+present, at least.
+
+So, once again, had the Powers, in the interest of European peace,
+struck up the swords.
+
+As we drove from the station to the Embassy we observed flags flying
+from almost every house, and that the public buildings were lavishly
+decorated.
+
+"Peace seems to be well received," I remarked.
+
+"It's the King's birthday," Courtney answered.
+
+"And a very happy one, I fancy."
+
+Courtney stared at me.  "How so?" he said.
+
+"He can now both keep his daughter and be rid of Murdol."
+
+"The Princess is saved, of course, but in deference to the national
+self-respect, he dare give up Murdol only in one contingency:--if Titia
+can be persuaded to pay a money value for it.  Which I doubt."
+
+I said nothing.  I, too, doubted.
+
+"However, it's not important to us," said he.  "Whatever the outcome
+the lady will be here long enough for you to lose the wager."
+
+"Damn the wager," I exclaimed.
+
+"Damn everything you have a mind to, my dear fellow," he encouraged.
+
+"And you in particular," I said.
+
+"Wherefore, my dear Major?" he laughed.
+
+"For suggesting this fool thing."
+
+"Poor boy!  I should have regarded your youthful impetuosity."
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"And grey hairs," he added.
+
+"I've a mind to toss you out of the carriage," said I.
+
+"Do it,--and save me the trouble of getting myself out," he answered;
+and then we drew under the _porte cochere_ at the Embassy.
+
+The matter of a residence had not bothered Courtney.  He simply took
+General Russell's lease off his hands, and twenty thousand a year rent
+with it.  I was to live at the Legation, there being no Ambassadorial
+women folks to make the staff _de trop_.  Naturally, I was quite
+satisfied.  It was a bit preferable to hotel hospitality.  And, then,
+the assistants were good fellows.
+
+Cosgrove, who had been First Secretary for ten years, was from the
+estate next my own on the Eastern Shore.  It was through him I had been
+able to preserve my incog. so securely during my former visits to
+Valeria.  And if he had any curiosity as to my motives, he was
+courteous enough never to show it.  "The best assistant in Europe,"
+Courtney had once pronounced him.
+
+Then there was Pryor, the Naval Attache.  He had been off "cruising
+with the Army," as Cosgrove put it, pending my arrival and was not yet
+returned to Dornlitz.  The others of the office force were young
+fellows,--rich boys, either _in presente_ or _futuro_,--who, likely,
+could only be depended upon to do the wrong thing.  Being fit for
+nothing at home, therefore, they had been considered to be particularly
+well qualified for the American diplomatic service.
+
+My room overlooked the Avenue, and the writing-desk was near the
+window.  I was drawing the formal report to the War Department of my
+arrival at Dornlitz and the status political and military, when the
+clatter of hoofs on the driveway drew my attention.  It was a tall
+officer in the green-and-gold of the Royal Guards, and pulling up
+sharply he tossed his rein to his orderly.  I heard the door open and
+voices in the hall; and, then, in a few minutes, he came out and rode
+away, with the stiff, hard seat of the European cavalryman.  I was
+still watching him when Courtney entered.
+
+"What do you think of him?" he asked.
+
+"I haven't seen enough of him to think," said I.
+
+"Not even enough to wonder who he is?"
+
+I yawned.  "His uniform tells me he is a colonel of the Guard."
+
+"But nothing else?"
+
+"I can read a bit more."
+
+"From the uniform?" he asked.
+
+I nodded.
+
+"You're a veritable Daniel," Courtney laughed.  "What saith the
+writing--or rather, what saith the uniform?"
+
+"It's very simple to those who read uniforms."
+
+"So!" said he.  "I await the interpretation."
+
+"It's too easy," I retorted.  "A Point Plebe could do it.  Your visitor
+was one of His Majesty's Aides-de-Camp bearing an invitation to the
+ball at the Palace to-night."
+
+For once I saw Courtney's face show surprise.
+
+"How did you guess it?" he said, after a pause.
+
+"A diplomat should watch the newspapers," said I, and pointed to this
+item in the Court News of that morning's issue:
+
+
+"His Excellency the Honorable Richard Courtney, the newly accredited
+American Ambassador, is expected to arrive to-day.  He is accompanied
+by Major Dalberg, the Military Attache.  His Majesty has ordered his
+Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Bernheim, to invite them to the Birthday Ball
+to-night; where they will be honored by a special presentation."
+
+
+Courtney read it carefully.  "At last I see the simple truth in a daily
+paper," he commented.  "But, as for you, my friend, button your coat
+well over your heart for it's in for a hard thump tonight."
+
+"So?" said I.
+
+"There won't be so much indifference after you've met Her and--seen a
+certain picture in the Corridor of Kings," he retorted, with a superior
+smile.
+
+"Think not?" said I, with another yawn.  "What if I've done both years
+ago?"
+
+He eyed me sharply.  "It's foolish to bluff when a show-down is
+certain," he said.
+
+"So one learns in the army."
+
+"Of course not every hand needs to bluff," he said slowly.
+
+"No--not every hand," I agreed.
+
+He went over to the door.  On the threshold he turned.
+
+"I wonder if this is my laugh, or yours, to-night," he said.
+
+"We will laugh together," I answered.
+
+Then he went out.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE SALUTE OF A COUSIN
+
+I would have been rather a wooden sort of individual had I felt no stir
+in my heart as, for the first time, I entered the Castle of my
+ancestors and stood in the ante-chamber waiting to be presented to the
+Head of my House.  I believe I am as phlegmatic as most men, but I
+would give very little for one who, under like conditions, would not
+feel a press of emotion.  I know it came to me with sharp
+intensity,--and I see no shame in the admission; nor will any one else
+whose heart is the heart of an honest man.  I have no patience with
+those creatures who deride sentiment.  They are either liars or idiots.
+Religion, itself, is sentimental; and so is every refined instinct of
+our lives.  Destroy the sentimental in man and the brute alone remains.
+
+We waited but a moment and then were ushered into the royal presence.
+The greeting was entirely informal.  Courtney was no stranger to
+Valeria, and had met the King frequently during the last ten years.
+Frederick came forward and shook his hand most cordially and welcomed
+him to Court.  It was like the meeting of two friends.  During it I had
+time to observe the King.
+
+He wore the green uniform of a General, with the Jewel of the Order of
+the Lion around his neck.  His sixty odd years sat very lightly and
+left no mark save in the facial wrinkles and grey hair.  He was a true
+Dalberg in height and general appearance, and with the strong, straight
+nose that was as distinctive to our family as was the beak to the
+Bourbons.
+
+I had remained in the background during Courtney's greeting, but, when
+he turned and presented me, I advanced and bowed.  As I straightened,
+the King extended his hand saying:
+
+"We are glad to----"
+
+Then he caught a full view of my face and stopped, staring.  I dropped
+his hand and stepped back; and, for a space, no one moved.  Only, I
+shot a side glance at Courtney and caught a half smile on his lips.
+Then Frederick recovered himself.
+
+"Your pardon, sir, but I did not catch the name," he said.
+
+Courtney's finesse saved me the embarrassment of a self-introduction.
+
+"Major Dalberg, of the United States Army, Your Majesty," he said
+quickly.  "The representative of our War Department with your army."
+
+"Dalberg--Dalberg," he muttered; then added, perfunctorily: "Our army
+is at your service, sir, though I fear we shall be unable to give you
+the war."
+
+"The army is quite enough, Sire," I began; but it was plain he did not
+hear me.  He was studying my face again and thinking.  Courtney, I
+could see, was having the finest sort of sport.  I could have throttled
+him.
+
+"You have our name, Major," said the King.  "May I ask if it is a
+common one in America?"
+
+"I know of no family but my own that bears it, there," I answered.
+
+He sat down and motioned for us to do likewise.
+
+"I am interested," said he.  "Has your family been long in America?"
+
+"Since the year 1777."
+
+He leaned a bit forward.  "That was during your Revolutionary War."
+
+"Yes, Your Majesty.  It was that year Lafayette joined Washington's
+Army."  That will give him a surprise, I thought.
+
+It did.
+
+"Do you know the name of the Dalberg of 1777?" he asked quickly.
+
+I saw no profit in evasion.  "He was Hugo, second son of Henry the
+Third of Valeria," I replied.
+
+"I knew it," he exclaimed, jumping up and coming over to me.  "And you
+are?"
+
+"His great-grandson and eldest male heir."
+
+"Then, as such, I salute you, cousin," he said, and suddenly kissed me
+on the cheek.
+
+Were you ever kissed by a man?  If so, and you are a woman, it
+doubtless was pleasant enough, and, maybe, not unusual; but if you are
+a man, it will surprise you mightily the first time.
+
+Of course, I understood all the significance of Frederick's action.
+Royalty on the Continent so greets only royalty or relatives.  It meant
+I was accepted as one of the Blood and a Prince of my House.  I admit
+my pride was stirred.
+
+"Your Majesty overwhelms me," I said, bowing again.  "I expected no
+recognition.  I am entitled to none.  Our name was stricken from the
+Family Roll."
+
+He made a deprecating gesture.  "Don't let that disturb you, cousin."
+
+"And believe me, also, I had no intention to disclose my relationship,"
+I protested.
+
+The King laughed.  "You could not hide it with that face," he said.
+
+I must have flushed, for he exclaimed: "Ha!  You know that, do you?"
+
+For answer I drew out the miniature of old Henry, which I had brought
+hoping for an opportunity to compare it with the original, and handed
+it to him.
+
+He gave it a quick glance and nodded.  "Yes, that went with Hugo," he
+said.
+
+I was surprised and looked it.
+
+"Oh, the family records are very complete as to the affair of your
+headstrong ancestor," he explained.  "Old Henry himself set it all out
+in his journal; and he speaks of this very miniature as having been
+given to Hugo by his mother, the day he left Dornlitz.  There were two
+of them, copied from the portrait in the Corridor."  He crossed to a
+cabinet.  "And here is the other one," he said.
+
+I glanced at Courtney.  He threw up his hands in defeat; at the same
+time, however, signifying that I should press my advantage while the
+King was so well disposed.
+
+But I shook my head.  My descent had been acknowledged, and that was
+quite enough--more than enough, indeed.  I had come to Valeria as a
+Major in the American Army.  I sought no favors from the Dalbergs here.
+From which it would seem that a bit of Hugo's stubborn independence had
+come down to me.  As for Courtney, the shrug of his shoulders was very
+eloquent of what he thought of such independence.
+
+"Perchance you never heard of a certain letter dispatched to Hugo by
+his brother, Frederick, after Henry's death?" the King asked.
+
+"And delivered by his Ambassador," I supplemented.
+
+"The same.  Hugo, too, seems to have kept a journal."
+
+"He kept the letter itself, and a copy of his answer," I added.
+
+The King laughed.  "Altogether, Hugo must have been a rare fine fellow,
+with a mind of his own."
+
+"He was a son of Henry the Third," I answered.
+
+The King nodded.  "Yet 'twas a pity he did not accept Frederick's
+offer."
+
+"I fancy the new life was more to his mind."
+
+"Doubtless,--but, had he returned, it would be you and not Ferdinand of
+Lotzen who would be the Heir Presumptive of Valeria."
+
+I smiled.  "Had he returned I would not be I."
+
+"True enough," said he.  "But think of the crown of your ancestors that
+might be yours."
+
+"It is enough to be a Dalberg.  I have never thought of the crown," I
+answered.
+
+"There spoke the son of Hugo," he said.
+
+Then, suddenly, he seemed to remember that we were not alone, and,
+springing up, he sought out Courtney, who, though unable to get out of
+ear-shot, had courteously retired to the remotest corner of the room.
+
+"My dear Courtney," he exclaimed.  "I have been unpardonably rude.  I
+forgot you completely.  Yet, you brought it on yourself; you should
+have prepared me for my cousin."
+
+But Courtney had his part to play.  He must keep the American
+Ambassador free from fault.
+
+"Major Dalberg never disclosed his relationship to your Majesty," he
+said, formally; "else, as you are well aware, he could not have been
+given the detail without your express permission.  As it is, I shall be
+obliged to report the matter to my Government and----"
+
+"Do so, by all means, if it will keep your records clear," the King cut
+in, in the same formal tone; "but be careful, at the same time, to say
+to your State Department that we shall deem it a personal affront if
+our Kinsman be recalled.  And, now, sir," he went on with an amused
+smile and dropping the conventional air, "confess it.  Didn't you
+suspect the relationship?"
+
+"I have been a guest at the Court of Valeria too often not to have
+noted a certain resemblance," Courtney admitted readily.  Then, like a
+good fellow, he set me right.  "But, be assured, Your Majesty, not I
+nor I believe anyone, has ever heard Major Dalberg speak of his royal
+descent; though I admit I have tried hard to draw him to it."
+
+The King looked at me and nodded in approval.
+
+"It is a law of the family, laid down by Hugo himself," I explained.
+"Though, of course, our silence does not prevent anyone from proving
+the fact who investigates our genealogy," and I glanced significantly
+at Courtney.
+
+This time it was he who doubled his fist at me.
+
+Then a door behind me opened and I heard the trail of a gown--whose, it
+was easy to guess.  Only one woman could have the privilege of entering
+the King's presence unbidden.
+
+As Courtney and I arose and stepped back, the Princess halted
+uncertainly.
+
+"Come, Dehra," said the King.  "You know the American Ambassador."
+
+Courtney bowed, but the Princess held out her hand, saying cordially:
+
+"We are glad to welcome Mr. Courtney here as a resident."
+
+Courtney made some fitting reply,--there was always one on the end of
+his tongue.  And then the King turned to me.
+
+"Major Dalberg," he said, "salute your cousin."
+
+I do not know which cousin was the more startled, but I am quite sure
+which was the more embarrassed.  In truth, for a moment, I was too
+confused to move.  The one thought that kept pounding through my brain
+was: "What am I expected to do?"  Frederick had saluted me with a kiss;
+was it possible he meant me to kiss Dehra!  I glanced across at
+Courtney,--he was struggling to suppress his merriment,--then back at
+the Princess; and caught what I was fool enough to imagine was a look
+of glad surprise.  She had recognized and remembered me.
+
+That settled it.  I stepped forward and deliberately kissed her on the
+cheek.
+
+The next instant my mouth stung with the blow of an open hand, and I
+was looking down into the flashing eyes and flaming face of the
+Princess.
+
+It was quite evident I had not been expected to kiss her.
+
+"Sir!" she exclaimed.  "Sir!"  And with each word she seemed to strike
+me afresh.  Then words failed her, and with another gesture of disdain
+she gave me her back.
+
+"Your Majesty, who is this----?" she began.
+
+Then she stopped and I heard her catch her breath.  The next moment,
+with high-held head she swept by me and from the room.  And with her
+going crumbled all the bright castles I had builded on the memories of
+that ride in the forest, six years before.
+
+Of course I had been a silly fool.  The fiend himself must have
+possessed me.  But I had kissed her, and that was something to
+remember,--though, doubtless, that itself but proved me the greater
+idiot.  All this and much more whirled through my mind in the moment of
+the Princess's leaving; then I turned, expecting to face the scorn of
+the King,--and found him wiping the tears from his eyes and shaking
+with laughter.
+
+So this was what had seat Dehra from the room in anger.  And,
+straightway, the skies brightened.  Plainly, if her father were not
+offended, I might yet make my peace with her.
+
+Then I, too, began to smile.  Doubtless there was a funny side to it;
+though it seemed to be more evident to the spectators than to me.  At
+any rate, the King still laughed, and so did Courtney; though quietly
+and discreetly.  His, I admit, I did not relish; so I spoke.
+
+"I am very sorry, Your Majesty; I meant no offence----" I began.
+
+"Nonsense, Major," the King interrupted.  "You gave none."
+
+"Indeed!" I said, and rubbed my mouth.
+
+"Oh, don't hold that against the Princess," he chuckled.
+
+"She didn't hit half hard enough." I said.  "She should have knocked me
+down."
+
+He shook his head.  "She misunderstood the whole matter.  I forgot she,
+doubtless, knows nothing of the American branch of the House; so, my
+calling you cousin conveyed no meaning, if indeed she even heard it.
+She simply thought you a presumptuous stranger."
+
+"And so I am."
+
+He waved the idea aside.  "You are her nearest male relative after
+myself."
+
+"That may mitigate my presumption--but, none the less, I'm a stranger."
+
+"No Dalberg is stranger to a Dalberg, and least of all in the presence
+of the Dalberg King," he said.  Then the smile came again.  "But, by
+the Lord, sir, I admire your pluck--to kiss the Princess Royal of
+Valeria before her father's very face."
+
+"It wasn't pluck," I protested.  "It was rank ignorance.  I was at a
+loss what greeting was proper;" and I explained my perplexity.
+
+"Of course," he said kindly, but with a shrewd twinkle in his blue
+eyes, "I understand.  Only, I fancy it would be wiser that I make your
+excuses to your cousin.  For, believe me, my dear Major, for one in
+such doubt you kissed her with amazing promptness."
+
+This time Courtney laughed aloud and the King and I joined him.
+
+"Then you think I may venture, sometime, to speak to her without
+renewed offence?" I asked presently, as we were about to retire.
+
+"Assuredly," said the King.  "When you meet her again to-night act as
+though you had known her always.  I'll answer for it, she will not
+respond with a blow."
+
+Just at the door he called to me.
+
+"Major," he said, "which would be your preference: to be introduced
+to-night as one of the Blood, or to hold off a while and continue your
+duties as American Attache?"
+
+I had had this very matter in my mind a moment before.  "With Your
+Majesty's permission I will execute my orders--at least, for the
+present," I said.
+
+"I think that were the proper course under the circumstances.
+Meanwhile, we will provide that you have the entree, and as many
+prerogatives of your birth as are properly consistent with conditions."
+
+Without, a chamberlain awaited to conduct us to the Hall of the Kings,
+where the birthday ball was to be held.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE SALUTE OF A FRIEND
+
+One Court function is pretty much like another, Europe over.  There is
+the same sparkle of jewels and shimmer of silk on aristocratic woman;
+the same clank of spur and rattle of sword and brilliancy of uniform on
+official man.
+
+Courtney had long ago become familiar with it all, and I in my details
+and travels had seen enough to make me indifferently easy, at least.
+We had tarried overtime with the King, and, so, were the last to reach
+the Hall.  At the door Cosgrove joined us and under his guidance we
+made our way to the diplomatic line.  Scarcely were we there when His
+Majesty and the Princess Royal were announced and between the ranks of
+bowing guests they passed to the throne.  As Frederick stepped upon the
+dais there arose spontaneously the shout, thrice repeated:
+
+"Long live the King!"
+
+And then someone cried:--
+
+"Long live Dalberg!"  And the throng joined in it twice again.
+
+How the King acknowledged it I do not know.  My whole attention was
+given to the Princess.  It was my first good view of her since the day
+I had acted as substitute groom.  For the bad few minutes lately passed
+had been given over to labial and mental sensations to the exclusion of
+the ocular.  Now I had more leisure while those ranking and senior to
+Courtney made their felicitations upon the royal birthday.
+
+She was little changed from my lady of the forest; only a bit more
+roundness to the figure and maturity in the face, particularly about
+the set of the mouth when in repose.  Otherwise, she was the same
+charming woman who had smiled me into subjection six years before.
+Beautiful?  Of course; but do not ask me for description, other than
+that she was medium in height, willowy in figure and dark blonde in
+type.  With that outline your imagination must fill in the rest.  Words
+only caricature a glorious woman.
+
+When it came our turn, the King seemed to make it a point to greet me
+with marked cordiality; not waiting for my name to be announced, but
+stepping over to the edge of the dais to meet me and holding me in
+conversation an unusual time.  It was noticed to the Court that I had
+the royal favor.
+
+Then, with the quiet aside: "It's all explained," he passed me over to
+the Princess.
+
+She was talking with Courtney, and turned and met me with a smile.
+
+"Let us shake hands and be friends, cousin," she said.
+
+The graciousness of the gesture, was plain enough to the whole room,
+but the words reached only Courtney and me.
+
+"I don't deserve it--cousin," I said; but I took her hand, none the
+less.
+
+Then, after a word more, we gave place to those that followed us.  But,
+as I bowed away, she said low: "The sixth dance, cousin."
+
+And so I knew my peace was made.
+
+I looked for some banter from Courtney, but there was none; only a bit
+of a smile under the grey moustache.  What he said was:
+
+"Come, let us circle the room and see whom we know."
+
+"We know none, if I'm to do the knowing," I said.
+
+"Queer state of affairs," he reflected; "the true Heir Presumptive, yet
+a stranger in the Court."
+
+"Oh! drop that nonsense," I said.
+
+His hand went up to his imperial.  "Nonsense?  Well, maybe so,--and
+there's the pity of it."
+
+I laughed.  "My dear fellow," I said, "you are becoming sentimental,
+and without even the excuse of a pretty woman in the case."
+
+He faced toward the throne.  "You don't act like a blind man," he said.
+
+"I can see the Princess very clearly, but only with Major Dalberg's
+eyes," I replied.
+
+"But if you were proclaimed the----"
+
+I cut him short.  "I am too old for rainbow-chasing, and Spanish
+Castles don't become an ambassador."
+
+"There you are wrong, my dear Major; diplomacy deals in _chateaux en
+Espagne_.  It has builded many upon weaker foundations than this one,
+that have, in time, become substantial and lasting."
+
+"Then, it's a good thing that we army fellows are called upon,
+occasionally, to tumble a few of them about your diplomatic ears."
+
+He laughed.  "You poor military men don't know it's only the phantom
+castles you tumble.  We never give you a chance at any others."
+
+"So I've been a Don Quixote all these years and didn't know it?"
+
+"About that!"
+
+"And that warrants you in sending me to tilt against this foolish
+heir-presumptive windmill."
+
+"But if it were to prove no windmill?"
+
+"Surely," I said--"Surely, you are not serious?"
+
+He gave me one of his quick glances and his hand went back to his chin.
+
+"'Quien sabe?' as the Spaniard would say, Major; 'Quien sabe?'" he
+replied.
+
+"Don't be an ass, Courtney," I exclaimed.  "And don't play me for one,
+either."
+
+A lift of the eyebrows was his answer--but Courtney could say much that
+way.
+
+"It's not a bad sort of occupation--being a King," he reflected.
+
+I ignored him.
+
+"And you could fill the place quite as well as Ferdinand of Lotzen," he
+went on.
+
+"You will be offering presently to wager that I'll be the next King of
+Valeria," I scoffed.
+
+"With the proper odds, I'd risk it."
+
+"Name them."
+
+"No--not yet," he said; "but I'll go you five thousand even, now, that
+you marry the Princess Royal."
+
+"This court atmosphere seems to go to your head."
+
+"That has nothing to do with the wager," he insisted.
+
+"I'll not take you," I said.  "The last fool bet is enough for me."
+
+"I thought I heard someone say: 'The sixth dance, cousin.'"
+
+"You did."
+
+"And you call that a 'fool bet'?"
+
+"I do,--and the more so that we were sober when we made it."
+
+"You're a bit hard to please, lately," he mocked.
+
+"I'm a bit easily led astray, lately, you mean," I retorted.
+
+All this talk, as we made our way through the crowd, was interrupted at
+intervals while Courtney greeted those he knew and presented me.  They
+were mainly of the diplomatic corps and, if they noted the coincidence
+of my name and Dalberg features, they were adepts enough not to show
+it.  Not so, however, with some of the elderly Valerian dignitaries and
+army officers; they were very evidently surprised and curious,--and,
+very shortly, it was plain I was the object of their discussion and
+careful observation.
+
+"How do you enjoy it?" Courtney inquired.
+
+"You forget that this is not my first visit to Dornlitz," I answered.
+
+"Some day I'd like to know of those other visits."
+
+"There's nothing to know; they were like any other tourist's."
+
+"Really, Major, you throw your opportunities away," he said, and I saw
+he did not believe me.
+
+"What opportunities?" I asked.
+
+He smiled.  "Well, not those for prevarication, certainly."
+
+"Isn't that a necessary qualification of a diplomatic attache?" I said.
+
+"Quite the most important,--and I don't doubt you will find it useful
+before you leave Valeria."
+
+Then the band blared out into a waltz and the crowd drew away from the
+centre of the floor.  I expected the real Heir Presumptive to lead out
+the Princess.  I admit I was curious to see him.  Report made him a
+very able young fellow, and his pictures showed a goodly figure.
+Instead, however, someone in a Colonel's uniform was her partner to
+open the dance.  I turned to Courtney interrogatingly.
+
+"It is Prince Charles, Lotzen's brother," he explained.
+
+"And the Duke?" I asked.
+
+"Still with the Army, I suppose."
+
+Then the Princess swung by and, catching my eye, gave me a quick smile.
+
+"Sort of a relief, isn't it?" Courtney remarked.
+
+I nodded mechanically.
+
+"Only I wouldn't tell her so," he said.
+
+"Wouldn't tell her what?" I demanded.
+
+"That you were relieved to know she could dance."
+
+"I never doubted it," I said shortly.
+
+He looked surprised.  "Oh!" he remarked; "Oh!"--and fell to stroking
+his imperial.
+
+"Courtney," said I, "you're a great fool--and I'm another."
+
+"True, Major, quite true; I found that out long ago."
+
+My irritation went down before his unfailing good nature.  It was
+always so.
+
+"Since we are unanimous on that point," I said, "I have no ground for
+quarrel."
+
+I danced the next number with Lady Helen, the youngest daughter of Lord
+Radnor, the British Ambassador.  We were old friends, after the modern
+fashion.  I had met her in Washington some four or five years before,
+while on staff duty, and we had danced and dined ourselves into each
+other's regard.  Then, Lord Radnor was transferred to Dornlitz and I
+went back into active service.  So I had been altogether well pleased
+to find her with the Radnors when we chanced upon them during the
+stroll around the room, and I had engaged a pair of dances to give us a
+chance for a quiet little chat.
+
+"Do you know, Major, for a stranger you are arousing extraordinary
+curiosity?" she remarked, as we sat on the terrace.
+
+I smiled.  "Yes, I believe I am."
+
+She looked surprised.  "So you have heard of it?"
+
+"I knew it years ago."
+
+"Oh, how stupid!" she exclaimed.  "Of course, this is not your first
+visit to Dornlitz.  Yet, it's a queer coincidence that you should have
+both the family name and the great Henry's features."
+
+"Oh, no," said I; "not particularly queer, since I am his
+great-great-grandson."
+
+She closed her fan with a snap.  "His great-great-grandson!" she echoed.
+
+I nodded.
+
+"But I thought yours an old American family.  Didn't you tell me, one
+day at Mount Vernon, that a Dalberg fought with Washington?"
+
+It was my turn to be surprised.  I had long forgotten both the
+circumstance and the remark.  "And I told you truly enough," I answered.
+
+She frowned a bit; then shook her head.  "I cannot understand," she
+said.
+
+Doubtless I was foolish--Courtney would have called it something
+stronger--but, nevertheless, I told her the story of Hugo.  For the
+benefit of the scoffer let me say that the Lady Helen could be very
+fetching when she was so minded, and this was our first meeting in four
+years.
+
+"How romantic!" she exclaimed, when I had finished my tale.  "Father
+will be so interested."
+
+I almost tumbled out of the chair.  "Lord Radnor will not have the
+opportunity to be interested," I said sharply.  "You may not tell him,
+nor anyone."
+
+"Certainly not, if you wish it," she said instantly.
+
+I thought she could be trusted; but it would do no harm to give her a
+bit of warning as to the situation.
+
+"None but the King, the Princess and Courtney knows of this
+relationship," I said.
+
+She regarded me with an amused smile.  "Which means, if it become
+known, I alone could be the tattler."
+
+There was no need to press the point further.
+
+"It is His Majesty's secret as well as mine," I said, as if in
+explanation.
+
+She shrugged her pretty shoulders.  "I shall keep it because
+it's--yours," she answered.
+
+There was no doubt Lady Helen could be fetching when she was so minded.
+
+I took her hand and kissed it.  Then I glanced around for onlookers.
+
+Lady Helen laughed softly.  "You men always do that," she said.
+
+"Oh!" said I.
+
+"You look only after it's all over."
+
+"Oh!" said I, again.
+
+"At least, so I have observed," she admitted, frankly.
+
+"You mean such has been your experience?"
+
+"Well," said she, with a mischievous gleam in her grey eyes, "wasn't it
+so just now?"
+
+I got up and looked carefully around.  No one was very near and we were
+in the shadow.  I leaned over and quickly kissed her on the cheek.
+
+"It wasn't so that time," I said.
+
+She sat perfectly quiet for a bit.
+
+"Let us hope," she said, at length; "let us hope that your eyes were
+trustworthy.  Otherwise----"
+
+"Yes?" I questioned.
+
+"Otherwise our engagement must be announced or----"
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"You must give me the chance to cut you publicly, after which you must
+leave Dornlitz."
+
+Here was a mess, sure enough.  Yet, I was in for it--as most fools
+usually are.
+
+"Which shall it be?" I said gayly.
+
+She leaned close and looked me in the eyes.  And beside her winsome
+face I saw, in my mind's eye, the Princess's, too--but only for an
+instant.  Then I took her hand again.  She smiled sweetly, almost as
+sweetly as Dehra herself could do.
+
+"Let us wait until we know if we were seen," she said.
+
+I made a move to kiss her again, but she drew away.
+
+"Not so, sir; that time you did not look," she said, and stepped out
+into the light.  Then I took her back to Lady Radnor.
+
+"Don't be disconsolate, Major," she said, as we parted.  "No one saw
+you--on the terrace."
+
+I looked down at her gravely.  "I am beginning to hope someone did," I
+said.
+
+She shot a quick glance at me over her fan.  "Are you tired of Dornlitz
+so soon?" she asked.
+
+"I think I want to stay in Dornlitz," I answered.
+
+"But the alternative, Major, the alternative."
+
+"That is why I want to stay."
+
+She smiled.  "You did that very prettily," she said.  "I shall forgive
+you the--the kiss."
+
+"But if someone saw it?" I protested.
+
+"You great stupid," she exclaimed, "no one did.  Do you think I didn't
+look?"
+
+"Oh!" said I.  "Oh!"
+
+"Sometimes you men are very foolish," she sympathized.
+
+I looked at her a bit in silence.  "You have changed since America," I
+remarked.
+
+"For the better?"
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"That's not nice of you," she said.
+
+Then Courtney came up.
+
+"Run along, Major," he ordered; "you've kept the Lady Helen over time."
+
+She took his arm.  "Please take me out on the terrace," she said.  Then
+she smiled at me aggravatingly.
+
+"Maybe our chairs are still vacant; better take Courtney to them," I
+said maliciously.
+
+It was not quite fair, possibly; and she told me so with her eyes,
+though her lips smiled.  I knew I had given her another score to settle.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+THE SIXTH DANCE
+
+It was Colonel Bernheim who brought me the Princess's commands for the
+dance; and the courteous way he did his office made me like him on the
+instant.  And this, though there was a certain deference of manner that
+was rather suggestive.
+
+The Princess was in the small room behind the throne and, when I was
+announced, beckoned me to her.
+
+"Major Dalberg," said she, when I had made my bow, "I have ordered the
+band to play an American quickstep; will you dance it with me as it is
+done at your great school--West Point, is it not?"
+
+It was done very neatly, indeed.  No one of those present could have
+imagined there was any prior arrangement as to that particular dance.
+I saw the King smile approvingly.
+
+"Your Royal Highness honors my country and its army, but through a very
+unworthy representative, I fear," I said, as I gave her my arm.  Then
+the music began.
+
+I have very little recollection of that dance; but I do know that Dehra
+needed no instruction in our way of doing the two-step; she glided
+through it as naturally as a Point-girl herself.  And, when I told her
+so, she shrugged her pretty shoulders and answered:
+
+"You are not the first American attache, you know."
+
+"Nor the last, either," I replied, and then held my peace, though I saw
+her hide a smile behind her roses.
+
+"But you are the first that has been my cousin," she said sweetly,--and
+I succumbed, of course.  Yet I was punished promptly, nevertheless, for
+at the throne she stopped and I led her back to the King.
+
+"May I not have another dance later?" I asked.
+
+She shook her head.  "Don't you think you have been already favored
+more than you deserve, cousin?"
+
+"Yes," said I, "I do; that's why I am encouraged to ask for more."
+
+"What a paragon of modesty!" she mocked.
+
+I passed it by.  "And the dance?" I asked.
+
+"I shall dance no more to-night," she said.  Then we reached the door
+and found the small room crowded with officials and dignitaries.  The
+Princess halted sharply.  "But you may take me for a turn on the
+terrace," she concluded.
+
+As we crossed the wide floor the crowd fell back,--but Dehra gave no
+greeting to anyone, though she must have known all eyes were upon us.
+Yet, to give her due credit, she seemed as unconscious of it as if we
+were alone in the room.  As for me, I admit I was acutely conscious of
+it, and the walk to the door seemed endless.  I must have shown my
+relief when it was over, for the Princess looked up with a smile.
+
+"That's your first trial as one of the Blood," she said.
+
+"There are compensations," I answered.
+
+She ignored the point.  "They are very few."
+
+"Sometimes, one would be ample."
+
+Again she evaded.  "Yes, the privilege to be as free as the lowest
+subject," she answered, instantly.
+
+"Pure theory," I said.  "The lowest subject would think you mad."
+
+"I would gladly exchange places," she said.
+
+"Don't make any of them the offer."
+
+"No--out of regard for my Father I won't."
+
+"It's a great thing to be a Princess Royal," I ventured.
+
+"Oh, I dare say--to those who care for great things."
+
+"Who do not?"
+
+"I don't.  At least I think I don't."
+
+"You would think so only until you were not the Princess Royal."
+
+"That may be; but, as I am the Princess Royal and cannot well change my
+birthright, I don't see how I am to get the chance to think otherwise."
+
+"It's better to think you do not like great things when you have them,
+than to like them and not have them."
+
+"You make it only a choice of unhappinesses," she said.
+
+"I make it only life."
+
+"You are too young to be pessimistic," she said.
+
+"And you are too fortunate in life to be unhappy," I answered.
+
+"But you said life was but a choice of unhappinesses."
+
+"Only to the discontented."
+
+"Oh!" said she.  "Instead of a pessimist you are a philosopher."
+
+"I sincerely trust I'm neither."
+
+"So do I, cousin," she laughed, "if we are to be friends.  I don't like
+philosophers; which is natural, doubtless; and as a pessimist I prefer
+no rival."
+
+"Which is also natural," I added.  "And I promise not to interfere with
+your prerogative nor do the Socrates act again."
+
+"_Entre nous_, I think you're wise; neither becomes you particularly."
+
+I laughed.  "You're frank."
+
+"It's the privilege of cousins," she replied.
+
+"Oh!" said I.  "I'm glad you think so."
+
+"That is--in matters strictly cousinly," she added quickly.
+
+"I shall remember," I said.
+
+She gave me a quick glance.  "Can you remember several years back?" she
+said.
+
+(So, she had recognized me.)
+
+"That depends," said I.  "I have a bad memory except for pleasant
+things."
+
+"Then I am quite sure you will remember," she laughed, and fell to
+picking a rose apart, petal by petal.
+
+"I am ready to remember anything," I said, catching one of the petals.
+
+"Oh!  But maybe I don't want you to remember."
+
+"Then I'm ready----"
+
+She looked at me quickly.  "To forget?" she interrupted.
+
+"To remember only what you wish," I ended.
+
+"That means you will remember nothing until I wish it?"
+
+I caught the half-plucked rose as she let it fall.
+
+"It means my memory is at your command," I said.
+
+She drew out another rose and dropped it deliberately.
+
+"I am very awkward," she said, as I bent for it.
+
+"On the contrary, I thought you did it very prettily," I answered.
+
+She laughed.  "Then you may keep it instead of the torn one."
+
+"I shall keep both."
+
+"Always?" she mocked.
+
+"At least until I leave you."
+
+"Thank Heaven, cousin, for once in my life I have had an honest
+answer!" she exclaimed, holding out her hand.
+
+I took it.  I did not kiss it, though that may seem strange.
+Sometimes, I do have the proper sense of the fitness of things.
+
+"It's the privilege of cousins to be frank," I quoted.
+
+"Have you always been frank with me?" she asked.
+
+"Rather too much so, I fear."
+
+She gave me a sharp look.  "Do you know a Captain Smith of your Army?"
+
+"Smith is a very common name in America.  I know at least a dozen who
+are officers."
+
+"John Smith is his name.  He was a Captain, six years ago."
+
+I appeared to think a moment.  "I know two such--one in the Cavalry,
+the other in the Engineers."
+
+"Describe them, please."
+
+I showed surprise.  "Does Your Royal Highness----?"
+
+She cut in.  "That is just what she is trying to find out."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Whether either of them is the Captain Smith I have in mind."
+
+"Both would be much honored."
+
+"I am not so sure as to the one I mean.  He was a very conceited
+fellow."
+
+I gritted back a smile.  "It must have been the Engineer," I said.
+"He's a good deal of a prig."
+
+She bent over the roses.  "Oh, I wouldn't call him just that."
+
+"It's no more than I've heard him call himself," I said.
+
+"You must know him rather intimately."
+
+"On the contrary, I know him very slightly, though I've been thrown
+with him considerably."
+
+"Are you not friendly?" she asked.
+
+"We have had differences."
+
+Again the roses did duty.  "I fear you are prejudiced," she said, and I
+thought I caught a smothered laugh.
+
+"Not at all," I insisted.  "I am disposed in his favor."
+
+"So I should judge."
+
+I could not decide which way she meant it.  "Oh, he is not all bad," I
+condescended.  "In many ways he is a good sort of chap."
+
+"Now, that's better." she rejoined; "to say for him what he could not,
+of course, say for himself."
+
+I forced back another laugh.  "Oh, I don't know why he should not have
+said that to a friend," said I.
+
+"It would depend much on the friend."
+
+I did not know if she had given the opening, deliberately, but I took
+it.
+
+"Of course, he would say that only to one he felt could understand him."
+
+"You are painting him rather better than you did at first," she
+observed.
+
+"I'm warming up to the subject."
+
+"Then suppose you tell me what he looks like."
+
+"That," said I, "is to tell his greatest fault."
+
+"I do not understand."
+
+"He looks like me," I explained.
+
+"How horrible," she laughed.
+
+"He has never ceased to deplore it," I said humbly.
+
+"Surely, he never told you."
+
+"To my face, many times."
+
+"You had good cause for differences, then."
+
+"Thank you, cousin," I said.
+
+"And, may I ask," she went on, "what you did to him at such times?"
+
+I shook my head.  "It would not tell well."
+
+"No, possibly not; but tell me, anyway," she said.
+
+"Sometimes, I put him to bed--and, sometimes, I bought him a
+superabundance of red liquor."
+
+"Don't tell me the other times," she interposed.
+
+"No," said I, "I won't."
+
+She fell to plucking the roses again.
+
+"This Captain Smith," she said presently; "was he in Valeria six years
+ago?"
+
+"That would be in 189--?"  I reflected a moment.  "Yes he was here that
+year."
+
+She thought a bit.  "Was he given to reminiscing?"
+
+"No one in America but myself knew he had been to Valeria."
+
+She smiled.
+
+I saw the blunder.  "It happened he knew of my Dalberg descent," I
+hastened to add.
+
+"Has he ever mentioned an adventure in the forest near the Summer
+Palace?"
+
+"I am quite sure he has not," I said, but without looking at her.
+
+Then I felt a touch on my arm--and I took her gloved fingers in my own
+and held them.
+
+"You are very good, cousin," she said, then loosed her hand.
+
+"When did you recognize me?" I asked.
+
+"When you kissed me.  That was why I was so angry."
+
+"I noticed you were annoyed."
+
+"Yet, I was more disappointed."
+
+"Yes?" I inflected.
+
+"To have my ideal Captain Smith shattered so completely."
+
+"But when you learned it was your cousin?"
+
+"That saved the ideal."
+
+"But I cannot live up to the Captain."
+
+She shook her head.  "There is no need.  The Captain is dead.  It is my
+cousin Armand now."
+
+"But every woman has her ideal," I ventured.
+
+"Yes, I shall have to find a new one."
+
+"Then it's only exit the Captain to enter a stranger," I said.
+
+"Not necessarily a stranger," she returned.
+
+"To be sure," I agreed; "there is His Royal Highness, the Duke of
+Lotzen."
+
+"Or Casimir of Titia," she added, drawing down her mouth.  "Or even my
+new-found cousin Armand."
+
+"He died with the Captain," I laughed.
+
+"No, the Captain died with him."
+
+"I think, as a matter of proper precaution, it would be well to go in,"
+I said.
+
+"Are you tired of me, so soon?"
+
+"You know very well it's because I'm fearful of disgracing the Captain
+again."
+
+"Please don't," she said smilingly, "here comes a friend of yours."
+
+It was Courtney with Lady Helen on his arm.
+
+"Two friends of mine," I said, as they passed.
+
+"You know Lady Helen Radnor?"
+
+"After a fashion.  I was stationed in Washington while Lord Radnor was
+Ambassador there."
+
+"You two would suit each other."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"You both are--shall I say it--flirts."
+
+I began to disclaim.
+
+"Nonsense!" she cut in.  "Don't you think a woman knows another
+woman--and also a man?"
+
+"By your leave, cousin, I'll not think," I said.
+
+"It's a bit unnecessary sometimes," she laughed.
+
+I made no reply.  In truth, I knew none.  But the Princess did not seem
+to notice it.  She was plucking at the roses again.
+
+"I wish I might flirt," she broke out suddenly.
+
+I grasped the marble rail for support.
+
+"Don't look so surprised," she laughed, "I'll not try it--I know what
+is permitted me."
+
+"Then you never flirted?" I asked with assumed seriousness.
+
+"No; that's another penalty of birth.  With whom may the Princess Royal
+flirt?"
+
+I waved my hand toward the ball room.
+
+"I hope I am neither cruel nor indiscreet," she said, rather curtly.
+
+"But there are many royal guests come to Dornlitz," I ventured.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "They all bore me."
+
+"Which only makes them the better material to practice on."
+
+"Surely, I am very innocent," she said.  "I thought at least a bit of
+sentiment was required."
+
+"Sentiment only endangers the game," I explained.
+
+"But suppose the sentiment were to come suddenly--in the midst of the
+'game,' as you call it?"
+
+"Then," said I, "there is rare trouble ahead for the other party."
+
+"But if that one also were to become--you know," she went on.
+
+"There's an end to the flirtation; it's a different kind of game then."
+
+"Are you quite sure there can be flirtation without sentiment?" she
+persisted.
+
+"It's the only artistic sort; and the only safe sort, too," I answered
+sagely.
+
+"And is it a pleasant game to play for a while in that fashion?" she
+asked.
+
+"Doubtless," I answered evasively; "only it is rarely done."
+
+She went back to the roses again.  "I think, cousin, I shall flirt with
+you," she said suddenly.
+
+I took a fresh hold on the railing.  I was surprised.
+
+But I was more troubled; for I was quite sure she meant it.
+
+"Don't you think, Princess, you are putting me to a heavy test?" I
+objected.  "I may cease to be artistic."
+
+"You said it could be done."
+
+"Yes, as a general----"
+
+"Then your test is no heavier than mine," she interrupted.
+
+I bowed.  So, this was her punishment for the kiss of salutation.
+
+"But if I were to fail to carry the game through properly?" I said.
+
+She hesitated.  "I may fail, too," she said.
+
+"And then?" I asked.
+
+She looked away.  "It would make no difference in the ending.  You
+would go away; and I--would make some crazy marriage of political
+expediency."
+
+I straightened up.  Maybe she had not been maliciously leading me out.
+Maybe she was simply unhappy and wanting a new sensation.  Then,
+suddenly, she put her hand on my arm.
+
+"Come, Armand," she said; "take me back to the King.  We have flirted
+enough for one evening."
+
+"We?" I said wonderingly.
+
+She took a rose from her gown--and drew it through my sword belt.
+
+"Yes," she said; and gave me one of those bewildering smiles.
+"Wouldn't you call it that?  At least, you have taught me to-night all
+I know of the game."
+
+"And how about six years ago, cousin?" I said, securing her hand.
+
+She looked down demurely.  "Well, maybe I did learn a little that day,"
+she admitted.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
+
+The second morning after the ball I arose early--in fact, just as the
+bugles of the garrison were sounding reveille--and went for a horseback
+ride into the country.  Though I knew about all the roads in the
+vicinity, I confess it never occurred to me to take any but that which
+led toward the Summer Palace and the place where I had first met the
+Princess.
+
+It may be some will scoff at this, but I venture that by far the
+majority will deem it only natural.  For myself I may further admit
+that I ordered my horse the night before for no other purpose; and I
+have no excuse to offer.  From all of which it may be inferred that I,
+at least, was scarcely likely to be artistic long in a certain
+flirtation.
+
+I had thought it all over during the last thirty-six hours, and, as I
+jogged through the streets, I went over with it again--and always with
+the same result: I would enjoy it while it lasted.  Afterward--well,
+afterward would be time enough when it came.  So I shrugged my
+shoulders and returned the salute of the officer at the gate and rode
+out into the open country.
+
+I had gone, possibly, a mile when there came the beat of running hoofs
+behind me and rapidly nearing.  Thinking it might be a messenger from
+the Embassy I swung around in saddle--only to find the front horse was
+ridden by a woman and the other by a groom.
+
+My first thought was: "The Princess!" my next: "By Jove, she rides
+well!"  Then something familiar in seat and figure struck me and I
+recognized Lady Helen Radnor.  Evidently she had already made me out,
+for she waved her crop and pulled down to a canter.  Here was an end to
+my solitary ride; I turned back to meet her.
+
+"Why, Major Dalberg, what luck!" she cried.  "One might imagine we were
+in Washington again."
+
+"What need for Washington," said I, "since we are here?"
+
+"True!  It's always the people that make the place," she laughed.
+
+"Then you like Dornlitz as well as Washington?"
+
+"Yes, lately."
+
+"If I were at all conceited I would guess that 'lately' meant----"
+
+"Yes?" she asked.
+
+"But as I'm not conceited I won't guess."
+
+"I'm afraid it's not quite the same, then, as in Washington!"
+
+I made no reply.
+
+"There, you would have been ready to believe I followed you
+intentionally."
+
+"Did you ever do that?" I asked.
+
+She laughed.  "We are quits now."
+
+"Then I may ride with you?"
+
+"Surely--why do you think I overtook you?"
+
+I bowed to my horse's neck.  "I am flattered," I said.
+
+"You ought to be, sir."
+
+I looked at her quickly.  It was said, it seemed to me, a bit sharply;
+but she gave me only the usual mocking smile.
+
+"Where shall we go?" I asked.
+
+"You have no choice?"
+
+"None--all roads are alike delightful now.  Besides, you forget I came
+here only two days ago; this is my first ride since then."
+
+"Then, suppose we go out by the Forge and around by the hill road above
+the Palace?"
+
+"You must be the guide," I replied.
+
+"Come along, then; we turn to the right here."
+
+"Only"----I began.
+
+"Oh!  I'll have you back in time for breakfast," she cut in.  "That was
+what you meant?"
+
+"Your Ladyship is a mind reader."
+
+"Nonsense!  I'm human enough to have an appetite, too."
+
+"Perhaps there is an inn on the way," I suggested.  (There was none six
+years ago.)
+
+She shook her head.  "There's nothing to eat before Dornlitz, if we go
+that route."
+
+"Some day we must find one that has a breakfast on it," said I.
+
+"There are several; I know them well," she said.
+
+"Good; and you will take me to them?"
+
+"It will be jolly."
+
+"I am very lucky to have you in Dornlitz," I said gratefully.
+
+She smiled sweetly.  "Maybe I'm lucky, too," she said.
+
+It brought me up with a jerk.  It was folly to be serious with her--she
+was only bantering as usual.
+
+"It's none of my affair, of course," I said with assumed sadness, "but
+I would like to know how many poor devils have gone down before that
+smile in the last six years."
+
+"You mean?"
+
+"That you're the most consummate coquette I know."
+
+"Is that a compliment?" she asked.
+
+"That depends."
+
+"Upon what?"
+
+"Upon the way you use your power."
+
+She hesitated a moment.  "Have I ever used it improperly to your
+knowledge?" she asked.
+
+I dodged the question.  "You admit the power, then?"
+
+"I admit nothing, except that I do not like to be called a coquette."
+
+I saw she was in earnest here; there was almost a choke in her voice.
+
+"But I would not have you otherwise," I objected.
+
+She shook her bead.  "You say that only because you think you hurt me."
+
+"Don't you know your bright and happy disposition is a thing beyond
+price?" I argued.
+
+"I know its price is heavy--I have paid it to you just now--I am paying
+it every day of my life."  There were tears in the voice.
+
+I was at a loss what to say.  A man is an awkward comforter at best,
+and when he is guilty of bringing on the trouble, he is sure only to
+make a worse mess of it.  So I held my tongue and we rode a while in
+silence.
+
+She spoke first.  "I know you are quite justified in your notion of
+me," she said.  "I have given you every reason to call me coquette,
+flirt, or anything of that sort."
+
+I raised my hand in protest.
+
+"No, let me finish," she went on.  "I have only myself to blame for it.
+I was warned against you before I ever saw you; and, so, I tried to
+play your own game from the start."  (I hope I had the grace to blush;
+I think I had.)  "But the other night, somehow, the game got too fast
+for me--and I--well, I bungled.  But whether you believe me or not,
+Major Dalberg, I want to say, as a solace to myself, at least, that you
+are the only man who ever kissed my face."
+
+I have smelled considerable powder in active service, and I think I may
+say I have a fair amount of courage, but it had all oozed away before
+the grieving tones and melting eyes of beauty in distress; and in
+another moment I should have cut and run like the rankest coward.  For,
+what would you?  A handsome woman (none I had ever seen, not even the
+Princess, surpassed her) almost in tears beside you--and all because of
+your own clumsy tongue and heavy sense.
+
+I opened my mouth to speak; but the words did not come.  In truth, my
+brain would not act.  I was vacant of ideas.  And so she waited; while
+our horses walked with heads together, friendly as old stable chums.
+Then I found my tongue.
+
+"My dear Lady Helen," I said, "I owe you an apology for what I did that
+night."
+
+"You owe me nothing," she broke in.  "You know perfectly well that when
+a woman is kissed in that way she has only herself to blame."
+
+"But it takes two to make a bargain," I insisted; "and it was I who did
+it."
+
+"Tell me," she demanded, "tell me honestly; you didn't imagine I would
+be angry?--you felt perfectly easy about it at the time?"
+
+I bungled again, of course: I hesitated.
+
+She laughed scornfully.  "You have answered me, Major Dalberg."
+
+"No," said I, "I have not.  You were angry at the instant, though you
+chose to act otherwise.  I thought so, then; I am sure of it now."
+
+A feeble smile touched her lips.  "Confess, that you then thought the
+anger only assumed."
+
+"Didn't you act deliberately to make me think so?"
+
+"After you had kissed me," she said, half defiantly, "what mattered it
+if I played it on to the end?"
+
+"And you did it beautifully," I agreed.
+
+"So beautifully that you intimated I proposed playing it all over again
+with your friend Courtney."
+
+"You wrong me there," I objected.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"I was annoyed at your going off with him."
+
+She turned and looked me in the eyes.  "You might, at least, spare me
+the discourtesy of flippancy," she said.
+
+"But I am serious, I assure you," I insisted.
+
+She smiled incredulously.  "I am so sorry to have bored you, Major
+Dalberg----"
+
+"But you don't understand----" I protested.
+
+"Please let us drop the subject," she interrupted.  "Don't you think
+that a pretty view?" and she pointed with her crop to a mite of a lake
+below us, flashing through the trees.
+
+I hope I did not show in my face how willing I was to change the
+subject; and I know I tried to keep it out of my voice.  But I fear I
+grew altogether too enthusiastic over the bit of scenery for,
+presently, Lady Helen remarked dryly:
+
+"One would never imagine you a lover of--nature."
+
+I pulled myself up sharply.  "Are my looks so much against me?"
+
+"I don't see that looks have anything to do with it.  I mean one does
+not associate such tastes with professional soldiers.  Nature, to them,
+would normally represent only obstacles to overcome or advantages to be
+utilized."
+
+"But men do not look at everything through their professional eyes," I
+laughed.  "If they did, every lawyer when he saw you would have but the
+one thought: 'What a glorious plaintiff for a breach of promise case.'"
+
+"I suppose you think that complimentary," she said.
+
+"It was not so intended."
+
+"I trust not."
+
+"I used it only to illustrate the proposition."
+
+"Are you trying to make me quarrel with you?" she demanded.
+
+"Surely not."
+
+"Then let us avoid the personal."
+
+"I will do anything to preserve the peace," I said--"and be shown those
+other rides."
+
+"The peace depends entirely upon yourself."
+
+"And the rides?"
+
+She studied her gloves a bit.  "They depend upon your good behavior
+and--the future."  And now, something of the old sweetness was in her
+smile.
+
+"Then the rides are sure," I said.  "Come, let us give the horses a
+chance to stretch themselves."
+
+We pulled up at the Old Forge; a smithy long deserted and now almost
+hidden beneath vines and undergrowth.  It lay at the crossways of two
+roads--like a log on a saw-buck--and our route was around it to the
+left.  Just beside the track a spring bubbled out into a wide rock
+basin.  At the basin a tall bay horse was drinking; and in the saddle,
+with hands clasped around the pommel, sat the Princess Dehra, so deep
+in thought she did not note our approach.
+
+It was the horse who aroused her by the nervous upward fling of his
+head.  Then she held out her hand to Lady Helen--and gave me a smile.
+
+"I am not the only one, then, who likes the early morning?" she said.
+
+"It's the cream of the day," said Lady Helen.
+
+"Rather the champagne of the day," the Princess answered.  Then she
+laughed.  "I forgot, Major Dalberg, it isn't well to take champagne
+before breakfast."
+
+"I prefer coffee, I admit," said I.
+
+"Are you two going anywhere in particular?" she asked.
+
+"Straight back to town," said Lady Helen; "don't you see Major Dalberg
+wants his breakfast?"
+
+"And your Ladyship?" the Princess questioned.
+
+Lady Helen laughed.  "I am very human, too, I fear."
+
+"Then, why not breakfast with me at the Summer Palace?" said Dehra.
+
+"We shall be delighted," said Lady Helen, without even questioning me
+by a glance.
+
+"Your Royal Highness is too gracious," I protested.  "I fear I
+shall----"
+
+Dehra raised her crop.  "There is only one shaft, sir; you shall come
+with us."
+
+So I went; even while my better judgment bade me turn bridle and gallop
+away.  A man is very helpless with one pretty woman; he is utterly at
+the mercy of two.
+
+Presently we passed the place where the Princess and I had met six
+years before.  I glanced across and found her eyes on me.  I nodded
+toward the spot where I had removed the stone from the mare's hoof, and
+she nodded back in answer.
+
+"This is a very charming road," I said.
+
+"It's a favorite with Your Highness, is it not?" asked Lady Helen.  "I
+have often met you on it."
+
+I affected to be interested in something beside the track.
+
+"Yes, I believe it is," Dehra answered carelessly.  "It is soft for the
+horse and little travelled and I enjoy the quiet of the forest."  Then
+she deliberately turned and smiled at me.  And Lady Helen saw it.
+
+At the top of the hill above the Palace the way narrowed and I fell
+behind; and, dismounting, I affected to be fixing something about the
+girth.  I wanted to see the Princess go down that tree-lined way as
+once before I had seen her.  Then they came to the bend; and, leaning
+against my horse's shoulder, I waited.  Would she remember?
+
+Suddenly, she turned and waved her hand, exactly as she had done that
+other time; only, this time, it was a beckon to follow, not a farewell.
+I sprang to saddle and dashed ahead, almost fearing to find her
+vanished and it only a dream.  When I rounded the corner, the Princess
+and Lady Helen were turning into the drive that led from the road to
+the Palace; and, once again, Dehra waved me onward.
+
+They awaited me at the gate; and, with the guard standing at attention,
+we rode into the grounds.  I noticed that the Princess acknowledged the
+salute with her crop as though it were a sword.  I had returned it with
+my hand.
+
+"Your way is the correct one," she said.
+
+"But yours is much the prettier," I answered.
+
+"Maybe that's why I used it," she laughed.
+
+"It is sufficient justification," I assured her.
+
+"His Majesty does not think so--he insists that the Colonel of the Blue
+Guards should conform to the regulations."
+
+"I salute my superior officer," I said, and used my crop as she had
+done.
+
+"How delightful to be a Colonel," said Lady Helen.  "I would wear the
+uniform all the time--if it were becoming."
+
+"How could it be otherwise?" I exclaimed.
+
+"No sarcasm, sir," she said sharply.
+
+"No, Major Dalberg, no sarcasm," Dehra cautioned, "or you will be
+asking, presently, if I won my commission on the field of battle."
+
+"I would rather not imagine you on the field of battle," I answered.
+
+"Well, you needn't," she laughed.  "It's an infliction of birth.  It
+belongs to the eldest child of the King without regard to sex."
+
+"It's a pity, in your case, the crown does not follow the Colonelcy," I
+thought--but I did not say it.
+
+At one of the private entrances we drew up.  The Princess was out of
+saddle as quickly as myself; but the Lady Helen waited.
+
+"If you don't want to stay I can contrive some excuse," she whispered,
+as I lifted her down.
+
+"I'm quite willing to risk a royal breakfast if you are," I answered.
+
+"Brave man," she mocked, gathering up her skirt; "you wouldn't flinch
+at leading a forlorn hope."
+
+"Watch me follow one," I retorted, as I brought up the rear.
+
+"Which one?" she asked over her shoulder; but I did not answer.
+
+The breakfast was served in a charming little room--which I assumed to
+be a portion of the Princess' private suite--and was of the sort to
+provoke more early morning rides along the Old Forge Road.
+
+"This may be a bit unconventional," said Dehra, addressing Lady Helen,
+rather than me, "but, if the English Ambassador can stand it, I will
+answer for the King of Valeria."
+
+"And I'll answer for the American Ambassador," I volunteered.
+
+"Then the others don't matter," Lady Helen laughed.
+
+"You surely have relieved us very much, Major Dalberg," the Princess
+added.  "Lady Helen and I have been so concerned for your reputation;
+you risk so much, you know, in breakfasting alone with two unmarried
+young women."
+
+"I'm quite sensible of my danger," I answered, and looked blandly from
+one to the other.
+
+The Princess kept her eyes on her plate; but Lady Helen gazed at me in
+some surprise.
+
+"If you're not better behaved, sir, I'll take you away at once," she
+said.
+
+"You're only putting a premium on a continuance of it," said Dehra.
+
+"No, I'm not, Your Highness; he hasn't finished his breakfast."
+
+"You're very wise," the Princess laughed.
+
+Lady Helen shook her head.  "You see, I've known Major Dalberg a long
+time," she said.
+
+"Oh! then you had met before the night of the Ball?"
+
+I looked at Dehra wonderingly.  Had she forgotten that I myself had
+told her, on the terrace, how long I had known the Radnors.
+
+"We were old dinner and cotillon partners in Washington," Lady Helen
+explained.  "He was very kind to me there."
+
+"That wasn't a very difficult task, was it, Major Dalberg?" Dehra
+asked, fixing her blue eyes on my face.
+
+"Please, Your Highness--please," exclaimed Lady Helen, holding up her
+hands.
+
+"I think," I replied, "that Lady Helen is, in herself, the best answer
+to Your Highness's question."
+
+Just then there came a step in the corridor and the King stood in the
+doorway.
+
+"Good morning, Lady Helen," he said, taking her fingers and raising
+them to his lips in the beautiful old-fashion; "it is a pleasure to see
+you here again."  Then he bent and kissed Dehra on the forehead, and
+turning to me said, extending his hand: "And, Major Dalberg, you are
+very welcome."
+
+Frederick was monarch of a powerful nation, but he could, if he so
+wished, make those about him forget his crown and see only the
+quiet-mannered gentleman.  With a word of excuse to us he drew the
+Princess aside to a window embrasure.  I turned to Lady Helen.
+
+"So," said I, "you've been here before?"
+
+She smiled.
+
+"And this is not your first breakfast with Her Highness?" I went on.
+
+Another smile.
+
+"And, doubtless, you have often met her at the Old Forge?"
+
+Once again a smile.
+
+"And were engaged to meet her there this morning?"
+
+"You are too discerning, Major," she said, with a shrug.  "You should
+have been a detective."
+
+"Quite right," I agreed.  "I am always the last to detect a plot or to
+find the criminal."
+
+She looked at me through half-closed eyes.
+
+"Which means?"
+
+I gave her back a look in kind.  "Whatever you would."
+
+She toyed with her rings a bit.  "Why should I deliberately bring you
+and the Princess together?" she demanded.
+
+"Why, indeed?" said I.
+
+"You are of the Blood:--the Palace is open to you."
+
+I raised my hand sharply in warning.
+
+She glanced over my shoulder, toward the window, with a derisive smile.
+"True, the Princess might wonder how I knew."
+
+I made no answer.
+
+"And the explanation would be a trifle difficult," she appended.
+
+"Do you think she would ask an explanation?" I inquired.
+
+She smiled.  "No; you would have to volunteer it."
+
+"That would be easy," I said indifferently.
+
+"Surely!  Surely! it would be easy to tell the Princess Royal that you
+were so confidential with Lady Helen Radnor, on the terrace at the
+Birthday Ball, that you told her the secret of your cousinship--try it,
+Major Dalberg, try it--it will be so easy," and she laughed softly.
+
+"I rather think I shall," said I, looking her in the eye.  "I prefer
+that she hear it from me."
+
+Her mood changed instantly.  "You don't trust me?" she said.
+
+I leaned forward and said.  "I trust you entirely; surely, you know
+that!"
+
+"And you will believe I had no appointment to meet the Princess?"
+
+"If you wish it," I said.
+
+Then the King and the Princess returned to the table.
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+THE LAWS OF THE DALBERGS
+
+"Are you in haste to return?" the King asked Lady Helen.
+
+"None whatever, sire," she replied.
+
+"And you, Major Dalberg?" he asked.
+
+"I am at Your Majesty's service," said I, bowing.
+
+"Then, if the ladies will excuse you for a short while?"
+
+"Don't make it too short, sire," said Lady Helen--and then the door
+closed and saved me a reply; which, doubtless, was as well, for I have
+not yet thought of a good one.
+
+"Bright girl, that," said the King.
+
+"Yes," said I, "embarrassingly bright at times."
+
+"Was she in Washington with Radnor?"
+
+"Yes; I knew her there."
+
+"Then you don't need to be warned."
+
+I was silent.
+
+"She has incapacitated half my military household with lacerated hearts
+or, indirectly, with punctured bodies; there is small difference."
+
+"Better have only married officers," I suggested.
+
+"Lord, sir, they are the first victims.  Immunes are what I want."
+
+"Like myself, for instance," said I.
+
+He turned and put his hand on my shoulder.  "I've had plenty like you,
+lad," he said kindly.
+
+I laughed.  "Then I may not hope for a place at Court?" I asked--and
+straightway wondered why I had asked it.
+
+We had just come to a small door, before which paced a soldier of the
+Guard, and the King made no reply until we were in his private library
+and he had motioned me to a chair and an assortment of pipes and cigars.
+
+"It was something of that sort that I want to discuss with you, if I
+may," he said.
+
+"If you may?" I echoed.
+
+He nodded.  "You are a subject of the United States and a representative
+of its government at my Court."
+
+"I had forgotten their significance," I admitted.
+
+"But, with your permission, we can lay aside our officialism and hold a
+family conference."
+
+The idea of my holding a family conference with the King of Valeria!  I
+smiled involuntarily; and Frederick saw it.
+
+"Don't you feel quite at home in the family, yet, my lad?" he asked.
+
+"It is not Your Majesty's fault if I don't," said I; "but royalty is a
+bit new and strange to me."
+
+He laughed heartily.  "You are quite too modest, Armand.  You spoke of a
+place at Court; would you accept one?"
+
+"Surely, sire, you knew I was only jesting!" I exclaimed.
+
+"Of course," said he; "but I'm not.  I am entirely serious."
+
+"I suppose," said I, "I'm as ambitious as most men."
+
+"A little more so, if you're a good Dalberg," the King interjected.
+
+"But am I a good Dalberg?"
+
+He waved his hand toward a mirror in the wall.  "Use your eyes," he said.
+
+"I don't mean physically," I objected.
+
+"I am very willing to trust Nature.  She didn't give you old Henry's body
+and then mock it with inferior abilities."
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"Besides," he went on, "I admit I have had a report on you from my
+Ambassador at Washington."
+
+"I trust," said I, with a laugh, "it has left me a few shreds of repute."
+
+"It didn't hurt you much, my lad."
+
+That was the third time he had called me his "lad."
+
+"Your Majesty then offers me a title and a place at Court?"
+
+The King smiled.  "Yes," said he; "a high title and a high place."
+
+I pulled on my cigar and tried to think.  But, on every cloud of smoke, I
+seemed to see the Princess; and all my brain knew was the single idea:
+"It will bring me within reach of her."  I got up sharply and paced the
+room, until I threw off the foolish notion and could look at the matter
+in its true proportions.
+
+"Tell me, Your Majesty," I said, "if I accept, will I be regarded as a
+legitimate descendant of the House of Dalberg or as of a morganatic
+marriage?"
+
+The King nodded.  "I had anticipated that would be your first question.
+You will be legitimate."
+
+"But," said I, "if I understand the canons of royalty, my
+great-grandfather having married one not of royal rank his descendants
+are, as regards the House of Valeria, illegitimate."
+
+"As a general proposition that is true; but it happens that your case is
+a peculiar exception."
+
+"I am glad," said I; "otherwise we had reached an end of the matter."
+
+"That, Major, is one of your American notions," said the King; "there is
+no disgrace in morganatic marriages."
+
+"It's all a question of national taste," said I; "and you know, sire,
+'_de gustibus non_'----"
+
+He drummed with his fingers a moment on the table.
+
+"I have some unhandy views, possibly," said I.
+
+"Oh, you will soon outgrow them," he returned; "only, it may be a trifle
+awkward if you parade them."
+
+"But, maybe, I shall not care to outgrow them." I objected.  "And, then,
+there is another notion--American, too, doubtless--which I fear will be a
+final bar."
+
+"Nonsense, Armand," said the King, a bit sharply.  "What other objection
+can even an American raise?"
+
+"This, sire," said I: "When Hugo left Dornlitz his estates were
+forfeited, his titles were revoked and his name was stricken from the
+family roll.  How can he now, after a century and a quarter, be
+rehabilitated?"
+
+"The King, as Head of our House, has full power."
+
+"Yes, I know; his power in the family is limitless, save that he may not
+change the succession to the Crown in favor of a female--more's the pity.
+But, while Your Majesty may make me a Duke, or even a Prince, yet that
+will not give back to Hugo the rights he was deprived of by his arbitrary
+father."
+
+The King smiled indulgently.  "For an American you have a large fund of
+sentiment."
+
+"That is the Dalberg in me, doubtless," I replied.
+
+"Then, sir.  I understand that--because your great-grandfather didn't
+live for one hundred and forty years and so be able now to receive, in
+the flesh, the edict of restoration--you, his eldest male heir, refuse to
+accept your rights; the rights that come to you through him?"
+
+"No, that's not exactly it; it's this: For Your Majesty, now, to restore
+me to the Family Roll, can be done only upon the hypothesis that all of
+Hugo's descendants have been debruised by the bar sinister--the very act
+of restoration presupposes such disqualification."
+
+"You forget I said you were legitimate," said the King.
+
+"By your grace; not by old Henry's," I objected.
+
+"But, recall that Hugo himself was offered his titles and rights by his
+brother and that he declined them."
+
+"Yes; that is just the point," said I: "he declined them."
+
+Frederick took a fresh cigar and lit it carefully, blowing the smoke in
+tiny rings to the ceiling.
+
+"I think I understand now," he said.  "You will decline our offer because
+it necessitates the restoration now, of Hugo's descendants, to the Family
+Roll?"
+
+I bowed in silence.
+
+"It's a great pity," he said, sadly.  "Otherwise, if Hugo had, in effect,
+never been disinherited and if the legitimacy of his descendants had been
+specifically preserved by Royal Decree, you would accept our offer?"
+
+"Yes," said I--"or, at least, I would give it serious consideration," I
+added with a laugh.
+
+The King turned slowly and, for a space, kept his eyes fixed steadily on
+my face, as though searching there for an answer to something about which
+his mind was undecided.  Have you ever had a monarch or one high in
+authority look at you so?  If you have, you are likely to remember it
+many days.
+
+Then he arose abruptly and, crossing to a large vault built in a far
+corner, returned with a heavy black box curiously bound with brass and
+inlaid with silver.  Placing it on the table between us, he took from his
+watch chain a small antique key and pushing it, with a queer side-motion,
+into the lock, it opened with a sharp snap, and he threw back the lid.
+
+"I wonder," said he, as he lifted out a thick leather-covered book with
+heavy metal hinges, "if there are many Americans whom it would be so
+difficult to persuade to accept a royal title?"
+
+"I fancy it would be much the same with all the truly representative old
+American families," said I.
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Then, for the credit of America, it's a pity
+Europe does not know some of those same old families; if they are the
+Country's true Nobility."
+
+"Yes, but not Nobility on European lines," said I.  "They are the
+_worthy_ descendants of those who founded the Nation; and the proudest
+patent is a commission from King or Colony or from the Continental
+Congress in the Revolution."
+
+The King smiled.  "Isn't that every Nation's Nobility--the descendants of
+the officers who helped their chief to establish a kingdom?"
+
+"It may be so," I answered; "but the systems are wide apart.  You will
+observe, I said the _worthy_ descendants.  In America it needs manhood as
+well as birthright--gentle living as well as gentle blood."
+
+"While with us it needs only gentle blood, you mean?" said Frederick,
+good naturedly.  "Well, we shall not argue over the matter; and,
+particularly, since the Dalbergs have no fault to find with their
+representative among the American Nobility; it's rather he who is ashamed
+of his Valerian relatives."
+
+"I am quite satisfied with the two I've met," I protested.
+
+"So well, indeed, with one of them that you kissed her instantly," the
+King laughed.
+
+"And am glad, now, I did it.  I shall never have another chance."
+
+He shot a quick glance at me, as he opened the book and began to turn the
+heavy parchment pages, which I could see were illumined in beautiful
+colors and with strange, large lettering.  Presently, these ended and the
+characters seemed to be in ancient script, which, gradually grew more
+modern.  At one of these later pages, the King stopped and addressed me:
+
+"You have said that, unless Hugo's rights and the Dalberg legitimacy of
+his descendants were preserved, by special Decree, made during Hugo's
+life, you would decline to return to Court."  He paused a moment, then
+went on: "It would almost seem that old Henry had some presentiment of a
+certain stubborn-minded grandchild, for he provided for just such a
+condition as you have made.  This book is the Laws of the House of
+Dalberg.  Listen to what is written touching Hugo, son of Henry the
+Third."
+
+Instinctively, I arose and stood at attention.
+
+The King read:
+
+
+"Section one-hundred twenty-first--For inasmuch as our second son, Hugo,
+hath, in defiance of our specific prohibition, this day left our Kingdom
+and gone over Sea to the North American Colonies of Great Britain, there
+to join the forces of one, George Washington, who is leading a revolt
+against his lawful sovereign, the King of England, with whom I am at
+peace; It is hereby decreed that the said Hugo shall forfeit all titles
+and emoluments heretofore conferred, and his name is hereby stricken from
+the Family Roll.  From this day he ceaseth to be a Dalberg of Valeria.
+
+"HENRY III, Rex.
+
+"Ye 17th October, A.D., 1777."
+
+
+Frederick glanced up.  "That was the judgment," said he.  "Listen, now,
+to the pardon:--
+
+
+"Section one-hundred twenty-fifth--Whereas, we have learned that our
+second son, Hugo, hath served with much honour in the American Army under
+General Washington, and hath, since the termination of hostilities,
+married into a good family in one of the said American States, called
+Maryland, and hath assumed residence therein; and whereas he hath never
+sought aid from us nor sued for pardon; Now, therefore, in recognition of
+his valour and self-reliance and true Dalberg independence, it is decreed
+that Section one-hundred twenty-one, supra, be annulled; and Hugo's name
+is hereby reinstated on the Family Roll in its proper place, the same as
+though never stricken therefrom.  And it is further decreed that the
+marriage of Hugo and the marriages of his descendants shall be deemed
+valid and lawful, the same as though their respective consorts were of
+the Blood Royal."
+
+
+"Is that sufficiently definite, sir?" the King asked.
+
+"It is very extraordinary," I said, in wonder.
+
+"There is a bit more," he said, and resumed reading:
+
+
+"The titles conferred upon Hugo shall, however, remain in abeyance until
+claimed anew by him or by his right heir male; nor shall the latter be
+eligible to the Crown unless hereinafter specifically decreed so to
+be--or, in event of a vacancy in the royal dignity without such decree
+having been so made, then, by special Act of the House of Nobles.
+
+"HENRY III., Rex,
+
+"Ye 7th September, A.D. 1785."
+
+
+The King closed the book.  "That," said he, "is the record," and motioned
+me to sit down.
+
+I obeyed mechanically.  Through my head was ringing those last few words
+that made possible the Crown of my ancestors.  Under the Decree I was, de
+jure, the eldest male after the King; it needed only his act to make me
+his successor.  A single line, sealed with his seal, in that big book
+just beside me, and plain Armand Dalberg, Major in the Army of the United
+States of America, would be Heir Presumptive to one of the great Kingdoms
+of Earth.  And Dehra!  I could get no further.  Crown and Kingdom faded
+and I saw only a woman's face.----
+
+Then the King coughed, and I came sharply back to life, and visions fled.
+But, even then, realities seemed almost visions, still.
+
+I turned to the King.  "Will Your Majesty permit me a few days to
+consider the matter?" I asked.
+
+"As many as you wish, my boy," he said kindly.
+
+"It is all so extraordinary.  I am in no condition to look at it with
+even reasonable judgment."
+
+"I think," said he, "I can quite understand."
+
+"But there is something I can foresee, even now," said I.
+
+The King smiled.  "Trouble?"
+
+"Yes, trouble in plenty."
+
+"But if the price be worth it all?" he asked, studying a smoke ring as it
+floated lazily upward.
+
+"The trouble does not bother me."
+
+"Oh!" said he, "I know that."
+
+"Then, may I ask," said I, "if the Duke of Lotzen knows of these Decrees?"
+
+"The Heir Presumptive is always made acquainted with the Laws of his
+House."
+
+"What, think you, then, Sire, would be his attitude in such an anomalous
+situation as would follow my presence in Valeria as Hugo's heir?"
+
+"You mean, how would he view a rival for the Crown?"
+
+"Well, that's a bit broader than I intended," said I.
+
+The King laughed.  "There is no need for us to mince words--the matter is
+perfectly evident.  Under the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to make
+you eligible to the Crown; and that necessarily would displace Lotzen and
+make you Heir Presumptive.  How do you think he would view it?"
+
+"How would any man view it?" I asked.
+
+"But what have Lotzen's views to do with the matter?" Frederick asked
+sharply.  "I am the King; here are the Laws.  What Dalberg would dispute
+them?"
+
+"But, Your Majesty, Lotzen might not be alone in disputing them--the Army
+and the House of Nobles might join him.  And, assuming that you would
+never intend to displace Lotzen by me, nevertheless, you would be put
+into the embarrassing position of seeming to be coerced by your subjects."
+
+"Coerced!  Coerced!" said Frederick, flinging his cigar savagely into the
+grate.  "Do I hear a Dalberg fear that for his King?"
+
+"Nay, Sire," I protested, "I did not say that."
+
+But the anger had already passed.  "Nonsense, lad, I understand you," he
+said; "only, I know my Kingdom better than you do--yet," and he laughed.
+
+But I protested again.  "Would it not be wiser for me to consider the
+question only upon the hypothesis that Lotzen shall not be
+displaced----?"
+
+"Don't be a fool, Armand," Frederick cut in.  "Of course, I cannot
+prevent your renouncing all right to the Crown, but it will be most
+displeasing to me and against my express wish."
+
+"Your Majesty is very flattering."
+
+"His Majesty is very selfish.  Since he has no son, he wants the
+privilege of choosing his successor."
+
+So he meant to give me a chance to win the Crown!  I shut my eyes; there
+was too much satisfaction in them.  Yet, I felt almost ashamed.  I had
+sneered so often at Courtney and his suggestions; had called him a fool
+and his words nonsense--even a short half hour ago I would have done the
+same again.  And now!--Truly there was something strangely impressive and
+powerfully alluring about that big, brass-bound book, with its Royal
+restitution and honors and the glorious opportunity extended.  Would any
+man--nay, would any half-man refuse?
+
+Then I opened my eyes and met the King's kindly smile.
+
+"Did the prospect blind you?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," said I, "it did--maybe my eyes are too weak ever to bear the
+bright light of royalty."
+
+"Never fear, lad, never fear; they will soon strengthen.  Ask Courtney,
+if you care to make him a confidant.  I am very sure of his advice in the
+matter."
+
+"So am I," said I.
+
+"Any man's would be the same--your own to one in a similar position."
+
+I could not deny it; but I would make no decision under the present
+influences.  I must have a season of calm thought and careful judgment.
+
+The King waited a moment.  "Well, take your own good pleasure, Armand,"
+said he; "only, the sooner you come to Court the less time you will
+waste."
+
+Of course, I saw his meaning.  "I shall ask but one day, at the most."
+
+"Good," said he.  "This is Friday--dine with Dehra and me here to-morrow
+evening.  Come by the private entrance."
+
+Then we went back to the Princess and Lady Helen.  But what a different
+life had opened to me in the short absence.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+THE DECISION
+
+I was sitting alone in the library late that night when Courtney came
+in.  He had been to some function at the French Embassy, from which I
+had begged off, and seemed surprised to see me.
+
+"Taps are a bit late to-night," he remarked, pouring a measure of
+Scotch and shooting in the soda.
+
+"I've been thinking," I answered.
+
+"For Heaven's sake.  Major," he began--then put down his glass and
+looked at me curiously.
+
+"You were about to say?" I questioned.
+
+He glanced at the clock.  "When a man of your age sits up thinking
+until two in the morning it is either financial trouble or love."
+
+"My finances are all right," I volunteered.
+
+"Ergo," said he, and began to sip his Scotch.
+
+"And I'm not----" then I stopped--"in the marrying class, you know," I
+ended.
+
+"It's a pity to have such excellent raw material go to waste," he
+commented, and smiled.
+
+"The truth is, Courtney, I waited up for you."
+
+He put down his glass again.  "Business?" he inquired, quickly.
+"Anything amiss?"
+
+I shook my head; "It's nothing amiss diplomatically; but it is business
+in a way; only, it's my personal business.  I want your advice."
+
+He looked at me, sharply, an instant.  "Drive on, old man; I'm all
+attention," he said.
+
+"I've been at the Summer Palace," I began.
+
+He nodded.
+
+"And breakfasted with the Princess Royal," I went on.
+
+"Alone!  Be careful, my dear Major," he cautioned.
+
+"Lady Helen Radnor was there; and the King also, for a bit," I
+explained.
+
+"Good," said he; "you are progressing famously."
+
+"Oh, it was all accidental."
+
+He smiled broadly.
+
+"I went for an early morning ride; Lady Helen happened to overtake me;
+we chanced upon the Princess; she asked us to breakfast; and the King
+came in during the meal."
+
+Courtney was studying the point of a paper-cutter.  "Very wonderful,
+indeed," he commented.
+
+"What; the paper-cutter?" I asked, a trifle impatiently.
+
+"No; the series of accidents."
+
+"They are only preliminary."
+
+"Preliminaries are often most important."
+
+"Not here," said I.  "What I want to consult you about is this: The
+King has asked me to accept the titles of old Hugo, and to take my
+place at Court."
+
+Courtney laid the paper-cutter carefully on the blotter, and drawing
+out his cigarette case, he selected one and slowly lit it.  I knew his
+way and waited patiently.
+
+"And Lotzen--and the Crown?" he said presently.
+
+"Do you care for the whole story?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, let me have it all," and, settling back in his chair, he closed
+his eyes and prepared to listen.
+
+Then I told him everything of the meeting with the King in his library,
+repeating, as well as I could remember, Frederick's exact language,
+describing his attitude toward me and his evident desire in the matter.
+
+"That is the situation and the problem," I ended, "and the answer is
+due to-morrow, I am to dine at the Summer Palace."
+
+Courtney sat up and began to polish his eye-glasses.  "I assume you
+have made no decision?" he asked presently.
+
+"If I had," said I, "I would have gone to bed."
+
+He nodded and kept on at the eye-glasses.  At last they seemed to suit
+him, and he shoved them into place and lit another cigarette.
+
+"It seems to me," he said, at length, "the matter is wholly one of
+personal inclination; with no obligation upon you to decide it upon any
+other basis.  Therefore, the first question is simply this: Which do
+you prefer to be--an American officer and citizen or a Valerian
+Archduke?"
+
+"That is just what I don't know," said I.
+
+"Well, would it be any easier to answer if I were to add: 'With a
+chance for the Crown'?"
+
+"That complicates it even more, I think."
+
+He looked at me hard for a moment.  I knew he was thinking of the
+Princess and I shook my bead.
+
+"Better look at it only on the first proposition," he said: "'an
+American officer or an Archduke.'"
+
+"If I accept," said I, "I shall play for all the stakes."
+
+"Of course," said he, "but you may lose."
+
+"It is more than likely I shall."
+
+"Yet, even if you do, you will still be the Archduke," he argued.
+
+"I think I would not accept it without the other chances," I said.
+
+"Yet you would adventure those very chances without being sure of the
+Archdukeship?" he insisted.
+
+I nodded, and Courtney laughed and fingered his imperial.
+
+"You have lost several hours of sleep to-night, my dear Major, very
+needlessly," he said.  "You know quite well you will accept Frederick's
+offer."
+
+"Do you advise me to accept?" I demanded.
+
+"Do you fancy I would advise you to do anything else?"
+
+"You say that as my best friend?" I persisted.
+
+"I do--and more; I urge it."
+
+"I think I am growing childish," I said, "I can't make a decision; I'm
+afraid of the Dark, as it were."
+
+Courtney nodded.  "That is precisely why I am able to see the matter
+more clearly than you--there is no Dark to make me fearful."
+
+"And my commission and American citizenship?"
+
+Courtney smiled.  "You will have in exchange the Patent of an Archduke
+of Valeria with all its powers and privileges; and, at the very least,
+the commission of General of Brigade in the Valerian Army.  That's a
+trifle more than you are giving up, don't you think?"
+
+I made no answer.
+
+"And then," he went on, "you can throw it all over and come back to us
+if you get tired of your new job."
+
+"I may be glad enough to get back to you and my American commission."
+
+"Bother your commission!  What does a man of your age and position want
+in the hard-working American army?" he exclaimed.
+
+"What does a man of your age and wealth want bothering with diplomacy?"
+I asked.
+
+"Because I enjoy the business, I reckon."
+
+"Just as someone else may enjoy being a Major of Engineers."
+
+"Come," said he; "if that's all that bothers you, I'll engage to put
+you back in our Army any time within two years, if you wish it."
+
+"You are very good, Courtney," I said.  "I fear, however, the War
+Department would not be so gracious."
+
+He snapped his fingers.  "That, for the War Department,'" he said
+contemptuously.
+
+"Besides, I'm too old to learn a new profession," I objected.
+
+"A new profession?" he questioned.
+
+I nodded.  "The profession of being an Archduke."
+
+"If I might judge by the Birthday Ball," he laughed, "you will have
+very little to learn."
+
+"Oh, I'm not bothered about the women; I can manage them all right."
+
+"For the love of Heaven: don't say that so loud," he exclaimed.  "One
+of them might hear you, and then----" and he raised his hands
+expressively.
+
+"We are growing frivolous," said I, "let us go to bed."
+
+He tossed his cigarette into the grate.  "Sometimes it is well to sleep
+over a problem," he said.  He poured two measures of liquor.  "Here's
+to a clear mind and a right decision in the morning."
+
+We drank it standing--and I, at least, with feeling.
+
+I cannot say if a good night's rest had anything to do with it, but,
+when I awoke, my mind was made up, and I was ready to give answer to
+the King.  It chanced that Courtney and I met at breakfast--the
+American customs as to meals prevailed at the Embassy--and had the room
+to ourselves; possibly, because we were very late and the day was very
+charming.
+
+"Well," said he, "I see you've made your decision; which gets it,
+Valeria or America?"
+
+"Behold a prospective Archduke!" said I.
+
+He arose and, hand over heart, bowed low.  "I salute Your Royal
+Highness!" he said.
+
+"Nonsense!" I exclaimed, "don't be ridiculous."
+
+"I am quite serious.  It's an unusual pleasure to have one worth
+saluting."
+
+I waved the compliment aside.  "If it is to terminate my old
+friendships or bring formality into private intercourse I shall remain
+American," I declared.
+
+The diplomat smiled.  "Don't you see it all rests with yourself?  You
+can be as formal or as familiar as you please."
+
+"I can revise my List of Friends, so to speak--drop those I don't care
+for and enter such new ones as I wish?"
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"Well, that much of the new order will be quite to my liking," said I,
+and turned to my mail.
+
+The letters lay face downward, of course, and I opened them in their
+order without bothering to examine the superscription.  Presently, I
+came upon one sealed with a blurred dab of green wax.  Rather curious,
+I turned it over; it was unstamped and was marked: "Personal and
+Important."  I did not know the hand-writing; but, then, Lady Helen
+Radnor's was the only one in all Dornlitz I could have known.
+
+"Here," said I to Courtney, "is a letter marked 'Personal and
+Important'; what is it; an invitation to contribute to the
+professionally destitute?"
+
+"More likely an invitation to some gambling den."
+
+I tossed it over.  "Take a look at it and guess again," I said.
+
+He glanced languidly at the envelope; then picked it up quickly and
+scrutinized it sharply.
+
+"We both are wrong," he said, and he motioned for the servant to return
+it to me.
+
+I knew he had recognized the writing and that it called for more
+respect than a careless fling across the table.  I broke the seal and
+drew out the letter.  It bore the Royal Arms over the word "Dornlitz."
+Beneath, it read:
+
+
+"MY DEAR COUSIN:
+
+"His Majesty has told me of the meeting in the Library this morning.  I
+know I have no right to meddle--but, won't you please accept and come
+back to your own?  The King wants you.  We shall welcome you with all
+our hearts.  Come, Armand!
+
+"DEHRA."
+
+
+I read it slowly a second time--and then a third time--wondering, the
+while, whether I should show it to Courtney.
+
+"You know who wrote this?" I asked.
+
+"I know who wrote the address."
+
+"Then know the note, also," said I, and read it to him.
+
+His face was quite expressionless as I read; but, at the end, he gave
+the faintest nod of approval.  "If that does not hold you to the task,
+you are----" he stopped.  "God, Sir!  You ought to be proud to be her
+cousin," he ended.
+
+I spent the balance of the day arranging the affairs of my office, to
+the end that I could instantly sever all official relations with the
+American Government, and, so assume my new rank with the least possible
+embarrassment to Courtney.  He would, doubtless, find it unfortunate
+enough to have, as a Royal Archduke, one who but lately was his
+Military Attache, and familiar with much of his policy and purpose.  I
+said as much to him that evening, as we rode toward the Summer Palace,
+but he laughed it off.
+
+"Embarrass me!" he exclaimed.  "I shall be the most envied of the
+Ambassadors; sought after by all the Court for a word to my friend, the
+new Archduke--'that may be King hereafter.'"
+
+"Don't," said I; "it's likely to be quite bad enough without calling on
+Macbeth's Witches."
+
+He leaned over and put his hand on my arm.  "Brace up, old chap," he
+said; "there's no boiling caldron and no witches."
+
+"There are troubles of sorts other than those the caldron brewed," I
+remarked.
+
+We turned a bend in the road.  "And witches of other sorts than those
+of Fores' Heath," he laughed.  "Behold!"
+
+A hundred yards ahead, rode the Princess and Lady Helen Radnor.
+
+"Here's your opportunity, Courtney," I observed.
+
+He stared at me.
+
+"To escort Lady Helen back to town." I explained.
+
+"Thank you," he said, and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Don't be a bear," said I; "most men would be glad enough for the
+chance."
+
+Then we reined aside and saluted.
+
+"Will you join us?" said the Princess.
+
+"We shall be delighted," I said and swung over beside her.
+
+"I don't know what to do with Lady Helen," she whispered hurriedly.
+
+"Courtney will look after her," I volunteered.
+
+But she did not seem to hear.  "I came alone to meet you," she went on,
+"and overtook her on the way."
+
+"You came to meet me?" I asked.
+
+She nodded.  "I fear you will think me very forward, but I--well, I
+wanted to know your decision."
+
+"Have you any doubt of it after the note--and now?"
+
+"Then you will accept?" she exclaimed, so loudly I raised my hand in
+warning.
+
+"Yes," said I.  "I shall accept--are you glad?"
+
+She plucked at her horse's mane and glanced at me covertly; then she
+turned and smiled--one of those overpowering smiles that had clung to
+me through the years.
+
+"Yes, Armand, I am glad.  You are a--dear."
+
+I reined over closer.  "Sometime," I began----
+
+She stopped me.  "A dear _cousin_, I mean," she cut in.
+
+I went back to my side of the road; but I took another smile with me.
+
+Then Lady Helen pressed forward.  "It is growing late, Your Royal
+Highness.  I shall have to turn toward town," she said.
+
+I glanced at Courtney and he nodded that he would ride back with her.
+And the Princess saw and understood; and would not have it so.
+
+"No, my dear Helen," said she, "you and Mr. Courtney and Major Dalberg
+shall dine with His Majesty and me this evening."
+
+"But, Your Highness,"----Lady Helen began.
+
+"But me no buts," said Dehra; "it will be _en famille_; come along."
+
+Courtney gave me an amused smile and shook his head; but, like a good
+courtier, he made no protest.  For my part, I was very glad for his
+company on this particular evening.
+
+We entered the Park by a narrow gate opening on a bridle path leading
+to one of the private doors of the Palace.  As I lifted the Princess
+down, she whispered:
+
+"I think you should see the King at once."
+
+"I am in your hands," I answered.
+
+"The others would scarcely think so," she smiled.
+
+Then I realized I was holding her as tightly as when I had swung her
+out of saddle.  I stepped back with a quick apology.
+
+"Oh, they didn't see it," she said, and ran up the steps.
+
+I smiled.  She, too, like Lady Helen, had not forgotten to look about
+her.  Women, it would seem, are rather prudent at such times.
+
+"Well," said Courtney, a bit later, when we were alone, "this is a
+queer go, sure enough.  What did the Princess mean by bringing Lady
+Helen and me to a family party, and at such a time?"
+
+"I think she meant to be considerate to you and good to me.  She
+thought, doubtless, we might be glad to be in together, at the death,
+so to speak."
+
+"She is very kind," said he; "but, why Lady Helen?"
+
+"It was all a sudden inspiration and she had to take her to get you."
+
+"I suppose the Princess will explain my presence to the King."
+
+"Oh, he will be glad to see you; he counted on your aiding him in this
+matter."
+
+"Then, it's well I didn't fail him--or my usefulness as the American
+Ambassador would be ended."
+
+"Surely, he would not have held that against you?"
+
+Courtney smiled rather grimly.  "Presently, my dear Major, you will
+know a bit more of Courts and Monarchs."
+
+Then the summons came from the King.  Instinctively I held out my hand
+to Courtney.  He gripped it hard.
+
+"Good-bye, old man, and God bless you," he said.
+
+Then I followed the flunkey.
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
+
+When I entered the library, Frederick came forward and kissed me on
+both cheeks.
+
+"My dear Armand," he said, "I am pleased beyond expression."
+
+"It's a pity," thought I, "kissing isn't an expression."
+
+"Dehra has told you?" I asked.
+
+He nodded.  "But I felt sure of you--so sure, indeed, I have all these
+ready for you."  He picked up a roll of parchments.  "Here is your
+Patent as an Archduke of Valeria; here are the title deeds to your
+ancestral estates--they have been held as Crown lands since Hugo's
+time; here is your commission as Colonel of the Red Huzzars; and here
+(and this may please you most) is your commission as Lieutenant-General
+in my Army."
+
+I took them mechanically.  There, were the seals, the flowing ribbons,
+the heavy signature of the King.  The sheets rustled and twisted in my
+fingers, curling back and forth like things alive.  I saw them dimly as
+though through a haze; my senses were dulled with sudden wonder and
+emotion.  And, yet, I had thought of it all many times since yesterday;
+Courtney had predicted for me some of these very honors; I, myself, had
+even anticipated them--indeed, they had been the powerful inducement
+for my decision.  And, now, when I had them in my very hands, put there
+by the King himself, I was simply overpowered.  To some scoffer I may
+seem sentimental or childish; and to him I say: "wait until you are in
+similar circumstances."
+
+Presently I got my senses and, I trust, thanked His Majesty in proper
+words.  But he, would have none of it.
+
+"They are yours by right of birth, you have simply come to your own,"
+he said.
+
+"But only by your gracious favor," I protested.
+
+"Then, do me a small return: wear the Huzzar uniform this evening."
+
+I must have looked my surprise.
+
+"We are pretty much of a size and I think mine will fit you," he
+observed.
+
+"It is very little you ask, Sire." I answered.
+
+"Then my valet will squire you," and he rang for the servant.
+
+And it was well he did; for I was not used to fancy uniforms, with
+their peculiar fastenings and adornments, and I might have spent the
+entire evening in solving them.  But Adolph attired me with astonishing
+celerity, and then, swinging a cheval glass before me, he inquired:
+
+"Are you satisfied, sir?"
+
+"You are a wonderful valet, Adolph," I said, ignoring the mirror.
+
+I did not need it to know that I was clad in scarlet and gold, with a
+black, fur-bound dohlman over one shoulder and a tall black busby on my
+head.  I hung the Eagle of the Cincinnati about my neck and went back
+to the King.
+
+He looked me over critically and nodded.  "You'll do, my boy," he said.
+Then he raised the Eagle and examined it.  "It is a great Order," he
+said; "one of the greatest in the world, but a Prince of Valeria must
+wear his country's also," and he pinned the Star of the Lion on my
+tunic.  "And now, come, I want to show you to your cousin."
+
+At the door of the Princess's apartments he waved aside the footman
+and, himself, announced:
+
+"His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Armand!"
+
+It was so unexpected and sounded so queer, withal, that, for a moment,
+I hesitated; then I took a fresh grip on my busby and followed the
+King.  The next instant, I was bending over the Princess's hand and
+listening to her words of welcome and congratulation.  When I turned to
+Lady Helen she curtsied deeply, even as she would have done for one of
+her own Princes.
+
+"God save Your Royal Highness," she said.
+
+And, as I raised her hand and kissed it, I tried, in vain, to read in
+her eyes whether she meant it or was only mocking me.
+
+Then, we went in to dinner--and, here, was a surprise for me, also.
+
+It was the same room we had breakfasted in the previous day, but now,
+upon the wall, fronting us as we entered, hung a full-length portrait
+of an officer in the uniform of the Red Huzzars.  It was the Great
+Henry; but it could just as well have been myself.  Surely, outwardly,
+at least, he was my _alter ego_.
+
+Even Courtney's astonishment pierced his heavy equanimity; and Lady
+Helen stopped sharply and gazed at the painting and, then, at me, and,
+then, at the painting, again, in silent wonder.  For although they both
+knew, generally, of the resemblance, it needed the uniform to bring it
+out in full effect.
+
+"Your Majesty has given us a series of surprises to-night," said
+Courtney.
+
+"It is surely wonderful--almost beyond belief," said Lady Helen.
+
+"Now, you know something of my sensations when I first met him," said
+Frederick, "though, then, I had not the benefit of the Huzzar attire."
+
+"And you, Princess?" asked Lady Helen.
+
+The King laughed aloud; Courtney became absorbed in the picture; I
+tugged at my sword-knot--we all were thinking of the kiss before the
+Ball.  But Dehra, naturally, thought of the meeting in the forest six
+years before.
+
+"It was a long time ago, but I think I did notice the resemblance in a
+casual way," she said.
+
+The King stared at her in surprise; Courtney smiled slightly and
+glanced at me, and Lady Helen's eyes shot from Dehra to me and back
+again in a vain attempt to understand.  Frederick, however, was on the
+point of asking an explanation when the Princess gave him a glance, and
+he instantly dropped the matter and motioned us to our seats.
+
+Mine was on Dehra's right; Courtney's on her left.  Presently, I heard
+the King say to Lady Helen:
+
+"Come, confess you are curious how the American military attache
+becomes a Valerian Archduke?"
+
+And, through Dehra's talk, I detected the laughing answer, pitched high
+enough to reach me:
+
+"'Curious' is quite too mild a word, Sire."
+
+Then, as the King began the story, she glanced over at me and I nodded
+my thanks.  It would have been a bit awkward, just then, if she had
+shown she already knew my history.  To-morrow it mattered not to me if
+it were known the Kingdom over; aye, and farther, too.  But to-morrow
+was the future; to-night was mine.  I was in favor; a King across the
+table; a beautiful woman beside me.  What more could any man wish?
+
+And, when Dehra whispered: "Do you know, Armand, you are very handsome
+to-night?" I tossed all discretion overboard and made violent love to
+her before them all.  Nor heeded Courtney's warning looks, nor Lady
+Helen's curious glances.  It was Dehra, herself, who brought me up
+sharply, after a space.
+
+"I am afraid, Armand," said she, "if you flirt so strenuously with me
+to-night, you will have no cards left for the balance of our game."
+
+"Our game?" I echoed blankly, forgetting for the moment the compact of
+the Ball.
+
+She smiled.  "You see, you play it better than I ever can.  I don't
+even know enough to forget it is a game."
+
+I turned and looked her in the eyes.  "Then, in all you have done
+lately, you have been only playing the game?" I asked.
+
+"Is that quite a fair question?" she answered.
+
+"Yes--under the circumstances."
+
+"But I thought you called it a game?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"And, yet, you ask me to spread my cards on the table?"
+
+"Not exactly; I ask to see only the tricks that are turned," said I.
+
+She shook her head.  "It's all the same--we must play fair."
+
+"Was it quite fair to write me that note unless you were sincere?" I
+asked.
+
+She looked me straight.  "Tell me," she demanded, "tell me, on your
+honor; had you not already made decision when my note reached you?"
+
+I hesitated.  "It clinched the matter," I said, lamely.
+
+The Princess smiled.
+
+"And, had the decision been otherwise, the note would have reversed
+it," I added.
+
+The smile broadened.  "But, since the note was in no way responsible,
+nor even persuasive, its sincerity does not matter," she said.
+
+"But, if I were to change my mind?" I replied.
+
+She glanced at my uniform and at the gleaming Star of the Lion.
+
+"They can be removed," I said; "they are only borrowed."
+
+"No, Your Royal Highness," said she, "they cannot be removed--not in
+the way you mean; your word is passed to your King."
+
+Your King!  It was the first reminder I was no longer a free American,
+and it gave me something of a shock.  And Dehra understood, and showed
+no mercy.
+
+"And, as an Archduke of Valeria, and almost the Heir Presumptive, you
+must know what it means to give your word to your King," she said.
+
+"I trust I know what it means to give my word to anyone," I returned.
+
+"Now, don't get on your dignity, Armand," she laughed.  "You understand
+me perfectly."
+
+I raised my hands in protest.  "Understand you perfectly!" I exclaimed.
+"I wish I understood you even a little."
+
+"You're not as nice as you were during the first part of the dinner."
+
+"Did you ever hear the slang Americanism 'there are others'?" I asked.
+
+She took a cigarette and lighted it--and passed it to me; then lighted
+another for herself.
+
+"What was it you asked about that note?" she said, and gave me one of
+those subduing smiles.
+
+I dropped my hand below the table and found her fingers.  "You meant
+it, Dehra; truly?" I asked.
+
+Sue released her fingers and placed both hands on the cloth.  "Of
+course I meant it--when I wrote it," she said.
+
+"That's quite as much as I've any right to expect," I answered.
+
+"That's the proper frame of mind, cousin," said she.
+
+"And the sort you prefer in your admirers?"
+
+She raised her eyebrows--"In my relatives--undoubtedly."
+
+"Come," said I, "we must not quarrel."
+
+"It would be the regular thing; I fight with all my relatives."
+
+A footman handed the King a card, received a message, and withdrew.
+
+"Then let me prove an exception," I cut in.
+
+"I am quite willing; squabbles are so stupid."
+
+"Speaking of cousins; have you quarrelled with Lotzen?"
+
+"Scores of times; we are in the distant bowing stage now."
+
+"Good," said I.  "I trust it will continue indefinitely."
+
+"We always make up and get very chummy after he has been absent for any
+time," she returned.
+
+"I wonder how he will view his new cousin?" I said.
+
+The Princess laughed.  "With considerable surprise, I fancy;
+particularly if he meet you in that uniform in a dimly-lighted corridor
+of the palace, at night."
+
+"Have the Dalbergs no ghost such as is appurtenant to all
+well-regulated royal families?"
+
+"Alas!  We have not; but you could give us a fine one."
+
+"Well, I won't," I said.
+
+"And yet, who knows?" she reflected with sudden seriousness; "your very
+resemblance to yonder picture may, sometime, be of service to you."
+
+"Then, I shall not hesitate to use it."
+
+"At any rate, I hope I shall be by when my cousin of Lotzen gets his
+first look at you."
+
+"As the family spectre or _in propria persona_?"
+
+"As both; but _in persona_, first," she said.
+
+Just then, the corridor door swung back, and a voice announced:
+
+"His Royal Highness, the Duke of Lotzen!"
+
+The Princess caught her breath, in surprise, and glanced quickly at the
+King.
+
+"Does His Highness always grant your wishes so promptly?" I asked.
+
+But she did not hear me.  She was watching the Duke as he advanced to
+the King and bent knee.
+
+And I, too, watched him; and with interest--this man, with whom I
+proposed to make a contest for the throne.
+
+He had the grace of one reared in Courts and the ease of one born to
+high command.  He made me feel awkward even as I sat.  His height was
+not above the medium, but his figure was so well proportioned he seemed
+almost my own size--and, yet, I knew I would top him by three inches.
+He wore the full dress uniform of a Lieutenant-General of Cavalry; and,
+with his black hair and moustache and well-cut face, he looked, in
+every line, the dashing beau sabreur.
+
+When he had greeted the King, and spoken to Lady Helen, he turned and,
+with eyes on Dehra, came toward us.  Courtney and I arose and stepped
+back.  The Princess swung around in her chair and gave him her hand,
+but without a word of welcome--and he spoke none.  Then, as he unbent,
+his eyes rested on me for the first time.
+
+[Illustration: Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first
+time.]
+
+I have never ceased to admire the self-control Lotzen showed then.  He
+gave me an instant's glance; flung another at the portrait behind me;
+and, then, clicking his heels sharply together, he raised his hand in
+salute--but, whether to me or to the portrait, I could not know.  My
+own hand went up with his and remained a moment longer; for I was the
+junior in actual rank, though he could not know it, for my present
+uniform was no guide.
+
+"Since no one has presented the Colonel of the Red Huzzars, will he not
+do the service for himself?" he said, very courteously.
+
+"I cry your pardon, gentlemen," exclaimed the King; "and I herewith
+present, to the Duke of Lotzen, his cousin, the Grand Duke Armand."
+
+Lotzen extended his hand in frank greeting.  "You are a Dalberg--any
+one could see--but whence?"
+
+"From America," I answered.
+
+He knew his family records well.  "Then, you are the heir of Hugo," he
+said instantly.  "And you come in good time, cousin; there have been
+few enough Dalbergs in Valeria this generation."
+
+"Your cousin will appreciate your welcome," said the King, before I
+could make reply.  Then he raised his glass.  "I give you: The New
+Archduke," he said.
+
+I bowed low; yet, not so low, but that I caught the smile Dehra gave
+me, over her glass, and the sharp glance with which Lotzen noted it.
+
+"Is he friend or foe?" I wondered--though the answer was evident.
+Plainly, he was no fool and, therefore, why should he be my friend?
+
+And such was the view of another; for, a bit later, as I swung the Lady
+Helen into saddle, she whispered:
+
+"Lotzen will bear watching."
+
+"I shall need friends," I answered, slowly, arranging her skirt.
+
+"Sometimes, a woman's wit is helpful."
+
+"And I may count on yours?"
+
+"Surely--mine, and another's, too, I fancy," she smiled.
+
+Then she and Courtney rode away--but halted almost instantly, and he
+called back to me to stop at the Embassy on the morrow and sign some
+papers.
+
+For, of course, now, I could not live, even for a night, at the
+American Legation; and, already, a suite had been prepared for me in
+the Palace.
+
+The four of us went to the King's library; and, after a while, Lotzen
+withdrew on the plea of an official appointment.  But His Majesty and
+the Princess and I sat until late in the night discussing the _modus
+vivendi_ for me.  Many matters were determined by them; and, in all, I
+acquiesced instantly; for they knew what was proper and I did not.
+
+It was decided that, for the present, I was to reside in the Palace.  I
+did not care for a separate establishment until I had more experience
+in the dignities of an Archduke.  Neither did I desire, now, a full
+military staff; and so I was to have only two aides--whom Frederick
+selected after much thought.
+
+The senior was Colonel Bernheim--who had brought the invitation to the
+Birthday Ball, and the commands of the Princess to dance with her that
+night.  His tour of duty with the Royal Aides was about ended, and,
+being an officer of much experience in the Court, he would be able to
+keep me straight, so to speak.
+
+The other aide was a Major Moore--an Irish soldier of fortune, who had
+been in the Valerian Army some ten years, and, by his efficiency, had
+become attached to the General Staff.  He was of noble birth--the
+younger son of a younger son of an Irish Earl--and "as an Irishman is
+more than half an American he will, doubtless, be congenial," the King
+said.
+
+I had liked Bernheim's manner, and I was willing to risk an Irishman's
+faith to his chief.  I asked, only, whether either was an intimate of
+the Duke of Lotzen.
+
+"That is a perfectly reasonable question," said Frederick instantly.
+"I know that Bernheim has never liked the Heir Presumptive and that
+Moore is not a favorite with the Prince."
+
+"Then, I am quite content with them," said I.
+
+"And you may also feel content," said he, "in that I appreciate your
+position here and its difficulties, and I shall stand behind you.  But
+a King's favorite, even though of the Royal Family, is rarely popular,
+so I shall obtrude no more than is necessary to show you have my good
+will.  When you want more, ask for it."
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+THE FATALITY OF MOONLIGHT
+
+The following morning I was formally presented to the Royal Council and
+took my place at the Board, on the left of the King, the Duke of Lotzen
+being on his right.  His Majesty stated briefly my descent, the law of
+the case as laid down by the Great Henry, and that I had accepted a
+restitution of the rights and privileges due to the eldest male heir of
+Hugo.
+
+"I ask your consideration for him, my Lords, the same as though he were
+our own son," he ended.  "I will answer for him--he is a Dalberg."
+
+At this there was applause and the members of the Council pressed
+forward and welcomed me as an Archduke of the Kingdom, taking my hand
+and bending knee before me.  It seemed a bit queer, but I got through
+it satisfactorily to myself--particularly so since there was no kissing
+in it.
+
+Then the Council began its business and the Prime Minister, Count
+Epping, read a tentative proposition of peace, which, he said, he
+understood had already been practically accepted by Titia.
+
+It provided that Murdol should be permitted to determine for itself, by
+the vote of its citizens, whether it would remain a province of Valeria
+or become, once more, a part of Titia.  In the latter event, Titia was
+to pay Valeria the value of all the public buildings in Murdol erected
+or rebuilt by Valeria, and, further, to reimburse Valeria for her war
+expenses.  But, if Murdol voted to remain with Valeria, then, Titia was
+to pay all the cost of the war.
+
+"I need hardly say to the Council," the Prime Minister remarked, "that,
+thus far, the terms are entirely satisfactory to His Majesty; but there
+is another detail, suggested by our friend, the intermediary, which is
+not so agreeable.  It is only a suggestion, but, I fear, has much to do
+with Titia's acquiescence.  It is that the peace be further cemented by
+a marriage between the Royal Families of Valeria and Titia."
+
+Then the Count sat down, and all faces were turned toward the King.
+
+Frederick ran his eyes slowly around the table.  I did the like.  There
+were but three faces which did not show favor for the marriage--and, of
+course, the three were the King's, Lotzen's, and mine.  At least, I
+assume mine evidenced my repugnance.  I am quite sure I felt it.
+
+"It is altogether useless, my Lords, for us to discuss the marriage
+matter," said Frederick.  "I have given my word to Her Royal Highness
+that she shall not be coerced in her choice of a husband, and it shall
+not be broken.  So long as she weds within her circle, she may marry
+when and where and whom she will.  Save for that restriction, Valeria
+will make peace with Titia upon the terms specified.  We refused the
+marriage before the war began; we refuse it now; we would refuse it
+were Casimir's guns thundering without the walls."
+
+They were good courtiers--these men of the Council--for they sprang to
+their feet and cheered enthusiastically.  And so the matter ended, for
+the time.  Altogether, I was well pleased with the doings of the
+morning.
+
+And so was Courtney, when I told him of it, over a whiskey and soda in
+his library, later in the day.  Possibly, I violated the proprieties in
+disclosing the business of the Royal Council, but I knew Courtney
+understood I was talking to my friend and not to the Ambassador.
+
+"I wish," said I, "you would give me your opinion of Lotzen."
+
+Courtney smiled.  "He is clever--very clever," he said.
+
+"Even I could guess that after last evening," I cut in.
+
+"He is ambitious, rather unscrupulous, and wholly dangerous," Courtney
+continued.
+
+"A pleasant sort of rival," I commented.
+
+"And, finally, he is infatuated with the Princess Royal."
+
+"That may be a fatal weakness," said I.
+
+"Truly, you seem to have gained wisdom overnight--Your Highness," said
+he.
+
+"And shall need many nights and much, very much, wisdom, I fear."
+
+He nodded.  "That you will--particularly, if you make a confidant of
+women."
+
+I frowned.
+
+"Don't imagine Lady Helen told me," Courtney explained.  "I chanced to
+notice her greeting, last night, to the Colonel of the Red Huzzars."
+
+"You are too observant," said I.
+
+"A bit more so, at that moment, than the Princess, I think."
+
+"I trust so," said I.
+
+"You made some rather fast going last night, my friend," he observed.
+"Now, it's none of my affair--only--isn't it a bit early for top speed?"
+
+"That is exactly what the Princess suggested," said I.
+
+He burst into an amused laugh.  "Go it, my boy!" he exclaimed, "you are
+doing delightfully--and so is the Princess."
+
+"Particularly the Princess," I said.
+
+He nodded.
+
+"And it's more than likely I am riding for a fall."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "It's a fast race over a strange
+course--and they will ride you down if they can."
+
+"I know it," said I, "but I fancy I shall rather enjoy the
+excitement--and Bernheim and Moore can be depended on, I think."
+
+"Undoubtedly--you may be sure the King chose them advisedly.  Consult
+them in everything--but, on particular occasions, consult----"
+
+"I'll come to you," I filled in.
+
+"And you may always count on my aid--but, I was about to say, upon
+particular occasions consult the Princess."
+
+"Good," said I.  "I shall riot in particular occasions."
+
+"P. V." he amended.
+
+"Oh!  I'm her cousin," I laughed.
+
+"And so is Lotzen."
+
+"Damn Lotzen," said I, heartily.
+
+"That's well enough as far as it goes, but it's the King's damn you
+want."
+
+"I fear he does not swear in English," said I.
+
+"Then, it's up to you to teach him--and the quickest method is to win
+the Princess.  Marry her and you get the Crown for a bridal present."
+
+"It may be the surest method; I doubt if it's the quickest," said I.
+
+"Well, of course, my dear fellow," he said banteringly, "you know the
+lady better than I do."
+
+"I doubt it," said I, "for I think I don't know her even a little bit."
+
+"Good--you are gathering wisdom rapidly; indeed, you are growing almost
+over-wise."
+
+"I have often wondered how you got your amazing knowledge of women," I
+observed.
+
+He lit a cigarette and sent a cloud of smoke between us.  "It was born
+in me, I think.  At any rate, I've proved it--by letting them alone.
+Yet," he went on musingly, "were I a Royal Duke and cousin to the
+Princess of Valeria, I am not so sure--no, I am not so sure."
+
+I looked at him a bit curiously.  Surely, it could not be that
+Courtney--the indifferent--the _blase_--envied me; that he would care
+to be other than he was; or that even a beautiful woman could stir his
+blood.  Then the cloud began to thin out, and he must have noticed my
+surprise, for he laughed and waved his hand before his face.
+
+"I'm like the fellow in the song," said he, "I've been 'seeing pictures
+in the smoke.'"
+
+"And you liked the pictures?" I asked.
+
+"Very much, my boy, very much indeed--in smoke."
+
+"Someone else is improving, also," said I.  "Time was when you could
+not have seen such pictures."
+
+He shook his head.  "It's only a sign of age.  I'm becoming a dreamer;
+soon you will find me sitting in the sun."
+
+"You need a wife, Courtney," I exclaimed.
+
+He laughed.  "No--I need a drink, a good stiff drink.  I'm getting old,
+and lonely for the tried friends I've lost; you are the last deserter."
+
+"Nonsense," I began.
+
+"No, it's true as gospel," he went on.  "Our paths separated forever at
+the Palace, last night.  You are a Royal Highness and the possible heir
+to the Throne.  And I am an elderly American diplomat--here, to-day;
+gone to-morrow."
+
+"You need several good stiff drinks," I interrupted.
+
+He waved aside my banter.  "I give you a toast," he went on, pouring a
+measure for each of us.  "The Princess Dehra--and another like her."
+
+"And may you find that other," I cried.
+
+Then we drained our glasses and flung them into the grate.
+
+I was tremendously astonished at this revelation of Courtney's
+feelings--feelings which I had never even suspected.  And, I fear, I
+had the bad taste to stare at him.  For he turned abruptly and walked
+to the window, and stood, for a moment, with his back to me.  I drew on
+my gloves and hitched up my sword (I was wearing the undress of a
+general officer) and waited.
+
+"Of course, you understood, last night, that there were no papers for
+you to sign," he said, as he came slowly back to the table.
+
+"Surely," I laughed.
+
+"What I wanted was the opportunity to tell you that our secret service
+will be at your command, and that I have given instructions to report
+to me anything that may be of use to you--particularly, touching Lotzen
+and his intimates."
+
+"You are more than good, old chap," I said, and we shook hands
+hard--for the toast was still in mind.
+
+"Present my compliments to Her Highness," he called after me.
+
+I went back to the doorway.  "And give mine to The Other Like Her, when
+she comes," I said.
+
+"She will never come, Armand; she will never come.  I am just an old
+fool."  Then he laughed.  "Your love-making at dinner tables didn't use
+to affect me."
+
+"You never followed any of them by a moonlight ride with a pretty
+girl," I answered.
+
+"At least, never with one as pretty as Lady Helen," he amended.
+
+I was getting surprises with a vengeance.
+
+"Is it possible you have just discovered she is pretty?" I exclaimed.
+
+He smiled frankly.  "No--but it may be I've just discovered how pretty."
+
+"And she's more than pretty," said I, "she's thoroughbred."
+
+He studied me for a moment.  "I have often wondered--and now I wonder
+more than ever--why you--why you never----  You understand."
+
+I nodded.  "Yes," said I, "I understand and I rather reckon I would, if
+it had not been that, a year before I ever saw the Lady Helen, I had
+ridden with the Princess Dehra, alone, in the Palace forest, for an
+hour."
+
+At last, I saw Courtney's cold face show genuine surprise.
+
+"And you made no effort then to prove your cousinship?" he exclaimed.
+
+"No," said I.
+
+"You let her go; and--and you a Dalberg and a soldier!  You don't
+deserve her--she ought to go to Lotzen--to Casimir--to any one but you.
+Why, you drivelling idiot, do you realize that, but for the chance of
+my having lugged--yes, that's the word, lugged you here you would now
+be doing childish problems in cement and stone in some miserable little
+Army department headquarters over in America?"
+
+It was delicious to see Courtney roused, once in his life.  Choking
+back my laugh, I answered:
+
+"You have not put it half strongly enough.  You may be a fool, as you
+say--there's no doubt that I've been a colossal one."
+
+"You ought to be in an asylum for weak-minded instead of in that
+uniform," he ejaculated.
+
+"But, thanks to you, I'm in the uniform and not in the asylum," I
+answered.
+
+"Pray God you have sense enough, now, to keep in the one and out of the
+other," he retorted.
+
+"Amen, Courtney, old man," said I, "Amen!"
+
+Then I sprang away and into saddle--waving my hand to him as he came
+hastily to the door to stay me.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+LEARNING MY TRADE
+
+The next month was the busiest of my life--not excepting those at the
+Point.  I was learning to be Royal, and I was starting a generation and
+a half behind time.  My hardest task was in meeting the Nobility.  I
+had been bred a soldier and had despised the politician--secretly,
+however, as is necessary for the Army officer in America; but no rural
+candidate at a Fall election ever worked harder to ingratiate himself
+with the people and to secure their votes, than did I to win favor with
+the Lords and high officers of State.  And, with it all, I could feel
+no assurance of success--for they were courtiers, and I had not yet
+learned to read behind their masks; though, here, Bernheim was
+invaluable.  Indeed, he was a wonder.  I have yet to find him miss his
+guess.
+
+There were constant Cabinet meetings to attend, at which my views were
+expected; and this entailed a study of conditions and policies
+absolutely new to me.  Then, I was delegated frequently by the King to
+represent him on occasions of ceremony; and, for them, I needed careful
+coaching.  In fact, there were a thousand matters which occupied me to
+exhaustion.  And, through it all, I was trying to get familiar with the
+organization and administration and methods of the Valerian Army, so as
+to be fitted to discharge the duties of my high rank.  I confess this
+was my most congenial labor.  If I might have been simply a soldier
+Archduke, I think I would have been entirely satisfied.
+
+After a few weeks I had taken up my residence in the Epsau Palace--one
+of my recent inheritances--and there maintained my own Archducal Court.
+It was a bit hard for me to take myself seriously and to accept calmly
+the obsequious deference accorded me by everyone.  I fear I smiled many
+times when I should have looked royally indifferent; and was royally
+indifferent when I should have smiled.  I know there were scores of
+instances when I felt like kicking some of the infernally omnipresent
+flunkeys down the stairs.  But I did not; for I knew that the poor
+devils were doing only their particular duty in the manner particularly
+proper.
+
+Yet, there were compensations, so many and so satisfying, I never, for
+a moment, considered a return to my former estate.  I was--I admit
+it--enamored of my rank and power; and, it may be, even of that very
+obsequiousness and flattery which I thought I despised.  I know there
+was a supreme satisfaction when I passed through the saluting crowds in
+the Alta Avenue.  It became almost elation when I rode upon the parade
+ground to take the Review and the March By.
+
+During this month, I had seen the Duke of Lotzen very frequently.  I
+had sat beside him at the Council table; I had dined with him formally
+as the new Archduke, and informally as his cousin.  And, on my part, I
+had repaid his courtesies in kind.  He had been thoughtful and
+considerate to me to an exceptional degree, but, at the same time,
+without undue effusiveness.  In a word, he had treated me with every
+possible attention our rank and consanguinity demanded.
+
+Even Courtney could find nothing to criticise in Lotzen's behavior; nor
+had his secret agents been able to detect anything _sub rosa_.
+
+"However, all this proves nothing one way or the other," he remarked
+one day, as we sat in my inner library.  "If he intend the worst sort
+of harm to you he would begin just as he has."
+
+I nodded.
+
+"I suppose His Majesty knows of Lotzen's courtesies to you?"
+
+"And is immensely gratified.  Bernheim tells me the Duke never was in
+higher favor than at this moment," I answered.
+
+"Exactly--and, therefore, the less likely a change in the Law of
+Succession.  He uses you to play against you."
+
+"And I am helpless to prevent it," said I.
+
+"I may not refuse his civilities nor appear to question their intent."
+
+"Heaven forfend!" Courtney exclaimed, with lifted hands.  "Your counter
+attack is at the King, too.  Keep him interested in you."
+
+"I have, I think.  I am the new Military Governor of Dornlitz."
+
+"Wonderful, Major!--Your Royal Highness, I mean."
+
+"Drop the R. H., please," I said; "stick to Armand or Major."
+
+"Thank you, I shall, in private; it's handier.  And when were you
+appointed?"
+
+"It will be in the Gazette this evening.  His Majesty offered it to me
+this morning."
+
+"Does Lotzen know it?"
+
+"I think not; it was due to a sudden shifting of Corps Commanders made
+yesterday."
+
+"I would like a view of the Duke's private countenance when he hears it
+first," Courtney laughed.  "It's the most desirable post in the Army;
+even preferable to Chief of Staff.  It makes you master in the Capital
+and its Military District, a temporary Field Marshal, and answerable to
+none but the King himself."
+
+"It's just that which makes me question the expediency of my accepting
+the detail," said I.  "It's a post to reward long service and soldierly
+merit.  I have not the former and have had no chance to prove the
+latter.  I fear it will be bad for discipline and worse for my
+popularity."
+
+Courtney laughed.  "That might be true of the American Army--it's
+nonsense in a Monarchy.  You forget you are of the Blood Royal--an
+Archduke--of mature years--with some experience in actual war--and, for
+all the Army and Court know, in line for the Crown.  You are,
+therefore, born to command.  There can be no jealousies against you.
+On the contrary, it will bring you followers.  None but Lotzen and his
+circle will resent it, and they, already, are your enemies.  The
+Governorship will make them no more so.  Instead, it will keep them
+careful; for it will give you immense power to detect and foil their
+plots."
+
+"Plots!" I exclaimed.  "Do you fancy Lotzen would resort to murder?"
+
+"Not at present--not until everything else has failed."
+
+"You seem very sure," I remarked.
+
+"Precisely that.  You don't seem to realize that you have likely both
+lost him his desired wife and jeopardized his succession to the Throne.
+He might submit to losing the Princess, but the Crown, never.  He will
+eliminate you, by soft methods if he can, by violent ones, if need be.
+Believe me, Major, I know the ways of Courts a little better than you."
+
+I took a turn up and down the room.  "I don't know that Lotzen isn't
+justified in using every means to defeat me.  I am a robber--a
+highwayman, if you please.  I am, this instant, holding him up and
+trying to deprive him of his dearest inheritance.  And I'm doing it
+with calm deliberation, while, ostensibly, I'm his friend.  If I
+attempt to steal his watch he would be justified in shooting me on the
+spot--why shouldn't he do the same when I try to filch from him the
+Valerian Crown?"
+
+"No reason in the world, my dear Major, except that to steal a watch is
+a vulgar crime--but to plot for a throne is the privilege of Princes.
+And Princes do not shoot their rivals."
+
+"With their own hands," I added.
+
+Courtney bowed low.  "Your Highness has it exactly," he said.
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.  "You flatter me."
+
+"I speak only in general terms; they do not apply to you, my dear
+Major.  You are not plotting to dethrone a King; you are simply trying,
+frankly and openly, to recover what is yours by birthright.  Lotzen's
+real claim to the Crown is, in justice, subordinate to yours--and he
+knows it--and so does the King, or he would not have put you on
+probation, so to speak, with the implied promise to give you back your
+own again, if you prove worthy."
+
+"That's one way to look at it," said I, "and I reckon I shall have to
+accept it.  In fact, I'm remitted to it or to chucking the whole thing
+overboard."
+
+Courtney smiled approvingly.  "That's the reasonable point of view.
+Now, stick to it, and give Lotzen no quarter--you may be sure he will
+give you none."
+
+"I shall countenance no violence," I insisted.
+
+"One is permitted to repel force by force."
+
+"I shall not hesitate to do that, you may be sure."
+
+"Good!" said he.  "Now we understand the situation and each other; and
+I can assist you more effectively."
+
+"I shall advise you the moment anything new develops," said I.
+
+"And remember, Major, to either you or Lotzen the Princess means the
+Crown.  Frederick will be only too glad to pass it so to his own
+descendants."
+
+"That's the truth," said I.  "But I reckon the Princess doesn't need
+the Crown to get Lotzen or me."
+
+"Do you realize how lucky it is, under the circumstances, that you are
+unmarried?" Courtney inquired.
+
+"Rather--only, if I had chanced to be married, I would still be your
+Military Attache.  Frederick would never have given me the chance to be
+an Archduke."
+
+"At least, it's sure he would never have given you a chance to be a
+King."
+
+"And the American newspapers would have missed a great news item," I
+added.
+
+"I never quite appreciated what a wonder you were until they told me,"
+he laughed.  "You seem to possess a marvellous assortment of
+talents--and, as for bravery, they have had you leading every charge in
+the Spanish War."
+
+"It's all very tiresome," I said.
+
+"It's one of the penalties of Royalty--to be always in the limelight
+and never in the shadow," he returned.  "How does it feel?"
+
+"Come around to-night to the Royal Box at the Opera and get into the
+glare, a bit," I said.  "I am to take the King's place and escort the
+Princess."
+
+"Is that a command?" he asked.
+
+"Hang it all, Courtney----" I exclaimed.
+
+"Because, if it isn't," he went on, "I shall have to decline.  I'm
+dining with the Radnors and going on to the Opera with them."
+
+I looked at him expectantly for a moment, giving him an opening to
+mention Lady Helen; but he only smiled and lit another cigarette.  I
+understood he declined the opening.  Indeed, he had never referred to
+Lady Helen since that first surprising time.  But, if the gossip of the
+Diplomatic set, which, of course, reached the Court promptly, were at
+all reliable, another International marriage was not improbable.  I
+admit I was a bit curious as to the matter--and here I saw my
+opportunity.
+
+"If you will permit," said I, "I'll send an Aide to invite the Radnors
+and you to the Royal Box during the last act, and then, later, to be my
+guests at supper on the Hanging Garden."
+
+"You're very kind, old man," said he; "and as for old Radnor you will
+endanger his life--he will just about explode with importance."
+
+"I trust not," said I; "I like Lord Radnor--and then explosions are
+disconcerting at the Opera or a supper."
+
+I had good reason, later, to remember this banter--for there was an
+explosion at the supper that night that was more than disconcerting;
+but Lord Radnor was in no way responsible.
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+IN THE ROYAL BOX
+
+When the Princess and I entered the Royal Box that night the applause
+was instant and enthusiastic.  I kept a bit in the rear; the greeting
+was for her.  And she smiled that conquering smile of hers that went
+straight to every individual in the audience as a personal
+acknowledgment.  I had seen it frequently in the past month; yet, every
+time, to marvel only the more.  Small wonder, indeed, that she was the
+toast of the Nation and the pride of the King.  A million pities the
+Salic Law barred her from the succession.  What a Queen Regnant she
+would make!  Aye, what a Queen Consort she would be!  What a wife!
+
+Then the last high note of the National Air blared out and the
+Princess, turning quickly, caught my look and straightway read my
+thoughts.  A sudden flush swept over her face and neck and she dropped
+her eyes.  Silently I placed a chair for her; as she took it, her bare
+arm rested against my hand.  The effect on me, in the stress of my
+feelings at that moment, is indescribable.  I know I gasped--and my
+throat got hot and my heart pounded in sharp pain.
+
+But I did not withdraw my hand--nor did the Princess remove her arm.
+Its soft, warm flesh pressed against my fingers--the perfume of her
+hair enveloped my face--the beat of her bosom was just below me.
+
+A fierce impulse seized me to take her in my arms--there, before them
+all, the Court and the Capital.  Reason told me to step back.  Yet I
+could not.  Instead, I gripped the chair fiercely, and, by that very
+act, pushed my fingers only more closely against her.
+
+Was I dreaming--or did I feel an answering pressure, not once but twice
+repeated.  I was sure of it.  I bent forward.  Quickly she looked up at
+me with eyes half closed.
+
+"How cold your hand is, Armand," she said.
+
+"Does it chill you, dear?" I whispered.
+
+She smiled.  "It never could do that," she answered.  "But won't you
+sit beside me, now?"
+
+"Yes, I suppose so," I said reluctantly.  "Only, I'm nearer you as I
+am."
+
+Then I took my chair, drawing it a trifle in the rear, so, being
+obliged to lean forward, I would be closer to her and could speak
+softly in her ear.
+
+"You're very bold, Armand; you are always doing things so publicly,"
+she said.
+
+"It was an accident--at first."
+
+"And afterward, sir?"
+
+"Afterward, I was powerless."
+
+"My arm would not believe you."
+
+"Powerless to remove my hand, I mean."
+
+"Powerlessness, with you, has queer manifestations," she said.
+
+"Yes--sometimes it's passive and sometimes active."
+
+"It was active, I suppose, that day in the King's cabinet, when you
+gave me that cousinly kiss."
+
+"If we were not so public I would----"
+
+She looked at me with the most daring invitation.  "It is because we
+are so public that you are permitted to sit so near."
+
+"Then, why blame me if I take the only opportunities you give me?" I
+asked.
+
+She half closed her eyes and looked at me, side-long, through her
+lashes.
+
+"Have I ever blamed you?" she asked.
+
+"Dehra," said I, "if you look at me like that I shall kiss you now."
+
+She closed her eyes a trifle more.  "Where, Armand?" she said.  "You
+have been kissing my hair every time I let it touch your lips."
+
+"Let it touch them again, then," I whispered.
+
+She turned her head sharply from me and, then, slowly back again; and
+her perfumed tresses, dressed low on her neck, brushed full and hard
+across my face, from cheek to cheek.
+
+"There, cousin," said she; "am I not good?"
+
+"Not entirely, when you call me 'cousin,'" I said, looking her in the
+eyes.
+
+"Your Highness, then," she smiled.
+
+"Worse still."
+
+"Marshal."
+
+"No better."
+
+"Marshal would please most men," she said.
+
+"There is only one name from you will please me, now," I answered.
+
+She quite closed her eyes.  "You are an autocrat to-night, Armand," she
+murmured.
+
+"I'm your lover, sweetheart; your lover to-night and always," I said
+impetuously.
+
+She opened her eyes wide and looked into mine with that calm, deep
+search which only a good woman has power to use.  I knew, and trembling
+waited.  What she saw in my eyes then she would see there always--in
+storm, in sunshine--in youth and in old age.
+
+Then, suddenly, her glance dropped and a blush stole slowly across her
+cheek.
+
+"To me, dearest," she said softly, "you have been a lover since that
+day in the forest when you were only Captain Smith."
+
+I bowed my head.  "You Princess of women," I said.  "How near I was to
+losing you."
+
+She turned and deliberately let her hair rest on my face a moment.
+
+"There, dear," said she, "is my first kiss to you.  I shall have to
+wait a bit for yours to me."
+
+"And you really want my kiss, Dehra?" I asked doubtingly.  Small
+wonder, indeed, I was slow to realize my fortune.
+
+"You great stupid," she laughed.  "Can't you understand I have wanted
+it for six long years?"
+
+"I think," said I, "I'm dreaming."
+
+"For a dreamer, you're wonderfully brave," she said.  "Do you
+appreciate that you had the audacity to propose to the Princess Royal
+of Valeria while she sat in the Royal Box before all the fashion of
+Dornlitz?"
+
+"My dear," said I, "I would propose to her a dozen times under like
+conditions if I thought, at the end, she would do as she has done
+to-night."
+
+"If she had known that, she might have put you to the test."
+
+"It would have made her wait only the longer for that kiss she wants,"
+I said.
+
+"Oh, I fancy, sir, she could have had your kiss without accepting you.
+She needed only to give you half a chance."
+
+"I think," said I, "even less than half a chance from you, dear, would
+have been successful."
+
+She studied her fan a moment.  "From me, _only_?" she asked.
+
+"From you, only," I said.  "It would require a trifle more than half a
+chance from anyone else."
+
+"Even from the Lady Helen Radnor?" she asked.
+
+I watched her face a moment.  There was, I felt, only one way to play
+this out.
+
+"Well," I answered, "it might be that an even half chance would suffice
+from her."
+
+"It took rather less than that at the Birthday Ball, didn't it?"
+
+I had the grace to keep silent--or, maybe, I was too surprised to know
+an answer.  I did not have the courage to meet her eyes.  I stared into
+the audience, seeing no one, thinking much--hoping she would speak; but
+she did not.
+
+Presently I turned, looking like a whipped child, I know, and met
+Dehra's smiling face.
+
+"Tie my slipper, dear," she said, "the ribbon has come undone."
+
+"You sweetheart!" I said.  "You sweetheart!"
+
+She drew her gown back from the footstool, and I slowly tightened the
+silken bands over the high-arched instep--very slowly, I confess.
+
+"You're very naughty, Armand," she said, shaking her head in mock
+reproof.
+
+"Doesn't the other shoe need fastening?" I asked.
+
+"No, sir--and, if it did, I would have the Countess tie it."
+
+"Bother the Countess," I said.  (The Countess Giska was the Princess's
+chief Lady in Waiting--and she and my aide-de-camp, Moore, were in the
+rear of the Box, which, fortunately, was sufficiently deep to put them
+out of ear-shot.)
+
+"Or, I might ask Major Moore.  I think he would be glad to do it," she
+said.
+
+"He would be a most extraordinary Irishman if he were not more than
+glad," I said.  "But, when I'm around, Dehra, the pleasure is mine
+alone."
+
+"Goodness, Armand, you would not be jealous?" she mocked.
+
+"I don't know what it's called," said I, "but that's it."
+
+"Haven't you ever been jealous, dear?" she asked.
+
+"I never cared enough for a girl to be jealous," I said.
+
+"I fancy you've cared for so many you had no time to entertain the
+Green-eyed Monster," she said.
+
+I evaded the thrust.  "Has he ever visited you?" I asked.
+
+She ignored the question.
+
+"Isn't Lady Helen beautiful to-night?" she said--and smiled a greeting
+toward the British Ambassador's Box.
+
+Instantly, Lord Radnor and Courtney arose and bowed low.  I returned
+the salute in kind.
+
+"Tell me," I said.  "Were you ever jealous?"
+
+She kept her eyes on the stage.  Carmen was the opera, but, thus far, I
+had not heard a single note.
+
+"I am waiting for you to answer my question," she said, presently.
+
+"I fear I missed it," I replied.
+
+"Queer, surely--it was about Lady Helen.  I asked if she were not
+beautiful to-night."
+
+"She is always very handsome," I said.  "And she looks particularly
+well in blue."
+
+Dehra smiled slyly.  "It's the same gown she wore at the Birthday Ball."
+
+I bit my lip--then, suddenly, I got very brave.
+
+"Tell me," I said.  "How did you know I kissed her, that night?"
+
+"I saw it."
+
+"The Dev--!  Oh!" I exclaimed.  I was brave no longer.  I got
+interested in the opera.  Presently, I ventured to glance at Dehra--she
+was laughing behind her fan.  Then I ventured again.
+
+"I hope," said I, "I did it nicely."
+
+"Most artistically, my dear Armand.  Escamillo, yonder, could not do it
+more cleverly."
+
+I winced.  It is not especially flattering to an Archduke to be classed
+with a toreador--and Carmen's toreador, least of all.  Yet, I
+recognized the justice of the punishment.  Bravery had failed twice; it
+was time to be humble.
+
+"I am sorry, Dehra," I said.
+
+"Of course you are, sir, very sorry--that I saw you.--And so was I,"
+she added.
+
+"Was?" I echoed.
+
+"It gave me _un mauvais quart d'heure_."
+
+"No longer than that?" tasked.
+
+"No; it lasted only until I had you to myself on the terrace, a little
+later."
+
+"And then?" I queried.
+
+"Then?  Then I was no longer jealous of the Lady Helen.  Your eyes told
+me there was no need."
+
+"There never has been anyone but you, my darling," I whispered.
+
+"And never will be, Armand?" she asked.
+
+"Please God, never," I said; and, forgetting where we were, I made as
+though to take her hand.
+
+"Not now," she smiled.  "Wait until after the Opera."
+
+"It will be a longer wait than that," I said regretfully.  "I have told
+Courtney I would invite the Radnors and him to take supper with me on
+the Hanging Garden, to-night."
+
+"Why don't you say 'take supper with _us_'?"
+
+"You mean it, Dehra?" I asked in surprise.  "You have always refused,
+hitherto; and I have asked so often."
+
+She smiled.  "Hitherto was different from now," she said.
+
+"Thank God for the now," I added.
+
+"We might bid them here for the last act," she suggested.
+
+"I have presumed to hint as much to Courtney," I said; and told her how
+it had all come about in my talk with him that morning.
+
+"Delightful!" she exclaimed.  "And we will have a jolly party on the
+Garden--and let us be just like ordinary folk and have a public
+table--only, a little apart, of course."
+
+"It shall be as you want," I said, and dispatched Major Moore to the
+Radnor Box with the invitation.
+
+When he returned, I stepped into the corridor and gave him explicit
+instructions as to the supper.  I had encouraged both him and Bernheim
+to intimate when I was about to make an Archducal _faux pas_, and I saw
+he did not approve of the public table.  But I gave no heed.  I knew
+perfectly well it was violating official etiquette for the Princess to
+appear there at such an hour; but it was her first request since--well,
+since what had occurred a few minutes before--and I was determined to
+gratify her.  And Moore, being a good courtier, and knowing I had
+observed his warning, made no further protest, but saluted and departed
+on his mission.
+
+When I rejoined Dehra she had moved forward and was looking over the
+audience.
+
+"I have found an ex-compatriot of yours," she remarked.
+
+"Yes?" I said, rather indifferently.
+
+"She has just come into the third box on the right.  She is wonderfully
+beautiful--or, at least, she looks it from here."
+
+"I've got someone wonderfully beautiful beside me," I answered.
+
+"But have you no interest in the American?" she asked.
+
+"None--except that she interests you.  In the third box, did you say?"
+I asked, turning slowly toward it.
+
+"Why, Armand, you know her!" said Dehra, suddenly.
+
+Trust a woman to read a man's face.
+
+"Yes," said I, "I have seen her before to-night."
+
+She gave me a sharp look.  "And have known her, too--_n'est ce pas_?"
+
+"Yes--after a fashion," I answered.
+
+She studied the woman for a space.
+
+"Is that her husband behind her?" she asked, presently.
+
+I smiled.  "Very possibly," I said.
+
+"Had she a husband when you knew her?" she persisted.
+
+"Part of the time."  I was a bit uncomfortable.
+
+"And the man, yonder, is not he?"
+
+"No," said I.
+
+She gave me a sidelong glance.  "And her name?" she asked.
+
+"It used to be Madeline Spencer."
+
+"You showed excellent taste, Armand--both in her looks and name."
+There was something of sarcasm in the tone.
+
+"Don't be unjust, sweetheart," I said.  "She never was anything to me."
+
+"Are you quite sure?".
+
+"On my honor."
+
+She gave a little sigh of relief.  "I am glad, dear; I would not want
+her for a rival.  She is much too beautiful to be forgotten easily."
+
+"The beauty is only external.  She is ugly in heart," I said.  "I
+wonder what brings her to Dornlitz?"
+
+"The man beside her, doubtless," said Dehra.
+
+"Then he's spending money on her like water--or she has some game
+afoot," I exclaimed.
+
+"You paint her very dark, dear."
+
+"Listen," I said.  "She was the wife of Colonel Spencer of the American
+Army.  He married her, one summer, in Paris, where he had gone to meet
+her upon her graduation from a convent school.  She was his ward--the
+child of the officer who had been his room-mate at the Point.  Within
+two years Colonel Spencer was dead--broken-hearted; a wealthy
+Lieutenant of his regiment had been cashiered and had shot himself
+after she had plucked him clean.  Since then, she has lived in the odor
+of eminent respectability; yet, as I know, always waiting for a
+victim--and always having one.  Money is her God."
+
+"And, yet, there seems to be nothing in her appearance to suggest such
+viciousness," said Dehra.
+
+"Nothing," I said; "and, hence, her danger and her power."
+
+"You knew her when she was Colonel Spencer's wife?"
+
+"I met her at the Post where he commanded--and, later, I saw her in
+Washington and New York.  She had been in Pittsburgh for several months
+before I left--angling for some of the _nouveaux riches_, I fancy.
+There was plenty of gossip of her in the Clubs; though I, alone, I
+think, know her true history."
+
+"And you did not warn anyone of her?"
+
+"So long as she let my friends alone I cared not what pigeon she
+plucked.  And the very fact that she knew I was in Pittsburgh, was
+enough to make her shy of anyone I would likely care for."
+
+Dehra laughed lightly.  "Maybe you were a little bit afraid of her,
+yourself," she said.
+
+"Maybe I was," I admitted; "for she has a fascination almost
+irresistible--when she choose to exert it."
+
+Dehra looked at me steadily.
+
+I understood.
+
+"Yes," said I, "she has made a try at me; once in New York; again, and
+only recently, in Pittsburgh.  I escaped both times, thank God."
+
+"She may make another try at you here."
+
+I laughed.  "She failed twice in America; she can scarcely win in
+Dornlitz when you are beside me."
+
+"But I'm not always beside you," she objected.
+
+"Not physically," I said.
+
+"What chance would a mentality have against that woman's actual
+presence?" she asked.
+
+"It would depend entirely on the man, and I am immune--thanks to
+Spencer's dead face and your sweet one."
+
+Dehra smiled brightly.  "Spencer's dead face is a mentality infinitely
+more potent than my living one; but I think the two should hold you.
+Yet, I hate that woman yonder.  I believe she has dared to follow you
+here."
+
+I shook my head.  "Never in my life have I used words to woman such as
+I used to her in Pittsburgh.  Oh, no, she has not followed me."
+
+"Then, why is she here--so soon after your coming?" Dehra persisted.
+
+"Why do thousands visit Dornlitz every month?" I asked.
+
+"She is no casual visitor."
+
+"Very likely," I agreed.  "Madeline Spencer is not the sort to do
+casual travelling.  She has an object--but it is not I."
+
+"I wish I could feel secure of it."
+
+"Do you mean it's I you doubt, dear?" I asked.
+
+She gave me her sweetest smile.  "I shall doubt you, Armand, only when
+you yourself order me to--and, even then, I may disregard the order."
+
+Before such love a man falls abject in his absolute unworthiness.
+
+"I don't deserve such trust, sweetheart," I answered humbly--and I
+think my voice broke in the saying.
+
+"I'll risk it," she replied.  "If I were as sure that woman's presence
+meant no harm to you I would be altogether easy."
+
+"What harm could she possibly do to an Archduke of Valeria?" I laughed.
+
+"None that I can imagine, I admit--unless she seek to discredit you
+with the King."
+
+"But from what possible motive?"
+
+"Revenge for your double scorning of her."
+
+I laughed.  "Madame Spencer has no time for such foolishness as
+revenge."
+
+"I hope you may be right, dear; but a woman's intuition bids you to
+beware."
+
+"Would you like to have the authorities look into her business here?" I
+asked.
+
+"Yes, I surely would."
+
+Just then Major Moore entered.  I motioned him forward.
+
+"Everything is arranged for on the Garden as Your Highness ordered," he
+reported.
+
+I thanked him.  "One thing more, Major," I said.  "My compliments to
+the senior officer of the Secret Police on duty here to-night, and ask
+him to send me, in the morning, a full report on the parties occupying
+the third box on the right in this row.  And do you take a good look at
+them yourself; it may be well for you to know their faces."
+
+"What a satisfactory Aide," said Dehra.  "His eyes didn't even waver
+toward that other box."
+
+"Not only that," I answered; "but, when Moore does do his looking,
+those in that box won't know it, you may be sure."
+
+Then the bells rang for the last act--and the Radnors and Courtney were
+announced.
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+THE WOMAN IN BLACK
+
+To those who have never been to Dornlitz I may say that the Hanging
+Garden is the name for the great balcony of the Hotel Metzen.  It
+suggests--very faintly--the Terrace at Westminster; though, of course,
+it is far more beautiful, with the dancing waters of Lake Lorg instead
+of the dirty, sluggish Thames.  It is the peculiarly fashionable
+restaurant, and is always thronged in the evening with the aristocracy
+of the Kingdom.  To-night, the extreme end of the balcony had been
+reserved for me, and a very slight bank of plants was arranged to
+separate us from the general crowd.
+
+Just before the final curtain, His Highness of Lotzen had strolled into
+the Royal Box.  To my surprise he congratulated me very heartily upon
+my appointment as Governor of Dornlitz; and, perforce, I invited him to
+join us at supper.
+
+He hesitated a moment, and I urged him to come.  In fact, I felt a bit
+sorry for him.  He had just lost the Princess and, with her, likely,
+his chance at the Throne, as well.  And I had won the one and, very
+possibly, the other, also.  I could afford to be generous.  After
+to-night, however,--when he had learned of these facts--it would be for
+him to indicate as to our future attitude.  For my part, I was quite
+willing to be friendly.
+
+The entrance of my party made something of a sensation.  To reach our
+table, we were obliged to pass down the Garden almost half its length
+and the people arose instantly and bowed.
+
+To Lotzen, this deference was such an ordinary incident of his daily
+life he, doubtless, scarcely noticed it.  But I was still fresh in my
+Royalty and it did attract me--though, I think I appreciated what he
+did not; that their courtesy was, in truth, to the Princess only, and
+not to us.  Indeed, it would have been just the same if the King
+himself had been with us.  When Dehra was in presence the people had
+eyes for her alone.
+
+The supper was deliciously cooked; the wine was excellent; the service
+beyond criticism.  I had given the two Ambassadors to Dehra and had put
+Lady Helen between Lotzen and myself, with Lord Radnor on the Duke's
+left.
+
+We were a merry party.  Dehra was positively bewitching and Radnor was
+simply fascinated.  He could scarcely take his eyes from her, even when
+addressed by Lotzen; which was very little, for the Duke devoted
+himself very assiduously to Lady Helen.  So I was remitted to Lady
+Radnor, who was about the most tiresomely uninteresting mortal it had
+been my misfortune to know--a funeral service was an extravaganza in
+comparison to her talk.  In Washington, my rank had never entitled me
+to a seat at her side at dinner; and many was the time I had chaffed
+Courtney, or some other unfortunate, who had been so stranded beside
+Her Ponderousness.  To-night, however, my turn was come, and Courtney
+was getting his revenge.
+
+My only solace were the occasional smiles that Dehra gave me--smiles
+that Courtney noted instantly and, I fancied, understood; and that
+Lotzen intercepted; but what he thought I did not know and did not
+care.  Who ever cares what his defeated rival thinks!
+
+We had been there for, possibly, half an hour when, happening to glance
+outward, I saw Madeline Spencer and an elderly woman, and the man who
+had been in the box with her, coming slowly down the Garden.  It
+chanced that a table near us had just been vacated and they were shown
+to it by the head-waiter, whose excessive obsequiousness proved the
+size of his tip.
+
+Mrs. Spencer gave our party a single quick glance, as she drew off her
+gloves, and then fell to conversing with her companions.
+
+All this I had noted out of the corner of my eye, as it were.  I had
+not the least doubt she had recognized me at the Opera, and I did not
+intend to give her a chance to speak to me--which I knew she would try
+to do, the Pittsburgh experience notwithstanding, if she thought it
+might further her present plans or pleasures.
+
+Lotzen, however, had been drinking rather freely and was not so chary
+with his glances.  Indeed, he stared so frankly that Lady Helen did not
+hesitate to prod him about it.
+
+"I would take her to be an American," I heard him say.
+
+"Without a doubt," Lady Helen answered.
+
+Inwardly, I consigned the Spencer woman to perdition.  They would be
+interrogating me about her, next; and I did not know just how to
+answer.  I would have to admit knowing her; that would only whet their
+curiosity and bring further questions.  To tell the whole story was
+absurd--and, yet, only a little of it would leave a rather unpleasant
+inference against me.  At any rate, on Dehra's account, I did not want
+the matter discussed.
+
+I could feel Lotzen's glance, and I knew he was waiting only for a
+break in Lady Radnor's discourse.  I gave him as much of my back as
+possible, and encouraged her to proceed.  She was on the Tenement House
+problem; but I had no idea what she was advocating, in particular.  I
+did not care.  All I wanted was talk--talk--talk.  And, whenever she
+showed signs of slowing up, I flung in a word and spurred her on again.
+
+And she responded nobly; and I marvelled at her staying powers--at Lord
+Radnor's fortitude through so many years--at Lady Helen being the child
+of such a mother.  But, all the time, I was conscious of Lotzen
+waiting--waiting--waiting.  I could hear his voice and Lady Helen's
+merry laugh, yet I knew nothing but the ending of the supper and the
+breaking of the party, with Lady Radnor still riding her hobby, would
+save me from the question.  I threw in another remark to keep her
+going.  It was fatal.
+
+Lord Radnor heard it; and, catching his wife's reply, I saw him frown.
+
+"Lord bless us!" he exclaimed to the Princess and Courtney, "we must
+rescue His Highness--Lady Radnor is on the Tenement problem."
+
+I tried to signal Courtney to keep Radnor occupied; but he did not
+understand, and only smiled and whispered something to the Princess.
+Then Lord Radnor caught his wife's eye and the old lady's discourse
+ended abruptly.
+
+"I fear I weary Your Royal Highness," she said.
+
+"On the contrary, I am deeply interested," I assured her.  "Pray
+continue."
+
+Her glance wandered eagerly across the table, but she got no
+encouragement from the Ambassador.
+
+"Your Highness is very gracious," she said, "and, sometime, if you are
+so minded, I shall gladly show you the late reports from the London
+Society."
+
+I dared not urge her further; Lord Radnor would have suspected me of
+making sport of his wife.  So I cudgelled my brain for some other
+subject to talk up with her.  Of course, I failed to find it instantly,
+and, in the momentary silence, Lotzen's opportunity came.
+
+"Armand," he said, leaning a bit forward, "Lady Helen and I have been
+discussing the woman in black, yonder--the pretty one.  We take her to
+be an American--what is your opinion?"
+
+The whole table heard the question, and every one looked at the
+lady--either immediately or when they could do it with proper
+discretion.
+
+"You mean the woman with the elderly couple, just near us?" I asked,
+glancing thither, and so on around to the Princess, who met me with a
+smile.
+
+"The same," said Lotzen.
+
+"You're quite right," said I; "she is an American."
+
+"You know her?" he asked.
+
+"I used to know her."
+
+He hesitated a moment--and, of course, everyone waited.  "Couldn't you
+still know her enough to present me?" he asked.
+
+I shook my head.  "You would be most unfortunate in your sponsor," I
+answered.
+
+He smiled indulgently.  "I'll risk it," he said.
+
+"But, maybe, I won't," I answered.
+
+His smile broadened.  "Come, come, cousin mine," he said; "don't be
+selfish with the lady."
+
+I smiled blandly back at him, though my hand itched to strike him in
+the face.
+
+"My dear Duke," I said, "you forget I may not yet have had time to
+acquire certain of the--dilettante accomplishments of Royalty."
+
+His expression changed instantly.  "I beg your pardon, Armand," he
+said, "I was only joking."
+
+I saw Courtney glance at Lady Helen and slowly shut one eye.  He knew,
+as did I, that Lotzen lied.
+
+"There is naught to pardon, cousin," I said.  "We both were joking."
+
+Then Lady Helen came to my relief.
+
+"But there is considerable for Her Royal Highness and me to pardon,"
+she said.
+
+"Yes," said I, "there is."
+
+"I take all the blame," Lotzen interrupted.  "I alone am guilty;
+proceed with the judgment."
+
+"What shall it be?" said Lady Helen to the Princess.
+
+Dehra shrugged her pretty shoulders and raised her hands expressively.
+
+"The only punishment that fits the crime is to deprive the Duke of
+Lotzen of all wine for the rest of the evening."
+
+It seemed to me the Duke winced.
+
+"Your Highness is severe," he said.
+
+She looked him straight in the eyes.  "On the contrary, cousin, I am
+kind to put it so--and you know it."
+
+But Lotzen's equanimity was not to be disturbed.  He smiled with
+engaging frankness.
+
+"The Queen can do no wrong," he said, and bowed over the table.
+
+Just then, Madeline Spencer arose and I breathed a sigh of relief--she
+was going.  The next instant I almost gasped.  Instead of going, she
+came swiftly toward us--passed the low bank of plants--and straight to
+me.
+
+I arose--all the men arose--and bowed stiffly.  She hesitated and
+seemed a bit embarrassed--then, suddenly, held out her hand to me.
+
+"I am afraid, Armand," she said, "you are not glad to see me."
+
+Armand!  Armand!  Lord, what nerve!  A rush of sharp anger almost
+choked me, yet I tried to look at her only in calm interrogation.
+
+"I think, Mrs. Spencer," I said, just touching her hand, "almost every
+man is glad to see a pretty woman."
+
+She gave me a look of surprise; then, threw up her head, disdainfully.
+
+"You called me 'Mrs. Spencer'?" she asked.
+
+I looked at her in surprise.  "I was not aware you had changed your
+name," I answered.
+
+She took a step backward.  "You were not aware of what?" she exclaimed.
+
+"That you were no longer Mrs. Spencer," I said--a trifle curtly, maybe.
+I thought she was playing for a presentation to the Princess and I had
+no intention of gratifying her, even if I had to be rude to her
+deliberately.
+
+She passed her hand across her brow and stared at me incredulously.  I
+turned half aside and glanced around the table.  Every face but three
+showed blank amazement.  Of those three, the Princess's wore a tolerant
+smile; Lotzen's a frown; but Courtney's was set in almost a sneer.
+And, at it, I marvelled.  Later, I understood; he had, by some queer
+intuition, guessed what was to follow.
+
+When I came back to Mrs. Spencer her expression had changed.  The
+incredulous look was gone; bright anger flamed, instead.
+
+"Do you still persist, sir, that you do not know my rightful name?" she
+demanded.
+
+From my previous acquaintance with the lady I knew she was working
+herself into a passion; though, why, I could not imagine.
+
+"My dear Madame," I said, "why such pother over such a trifle?  If your
+name be, no longer, Madeline Spencer, tell me what it is.  I shall be
+profoundly glad to call you by it--or any name than Spencer," I added.
+
+She felt the thrust and her eyes answered it.  Then, suddenly, she
+turned and faced those at the table.
+
+"Your pardon," she said, speaking straight at Lord Radnor, "will you
+tell me if this man here"--waving her hand toward me--"is Major Armand
+Dalberg?"
+
+Lord Radnor bowed.  "That gentleman is His Royal Highness the Grand
+Duke Armand of Valeria," he said.
+
+"Erstwhile, Major of Engineers in the American Army?" she asked.
+
+"I believe so, Madame," said his Lordship, stiffly.
+
+"Thank you," she said.  "And now----"
+
+But I broke in.  "Madame," I said sharply, "you have presumed beyond
+forbearance.  Major Moore, will you escort the lady to her companions."
+
+Moore stepped forward and, bowing very low, offered his arm.  Like a
+flash, her face changed and she met him with a smile.
+
+"Just a moment, if you please," she said, with softest accents.  Then,
+with studied deliberation, she turned her back on me and swept the
+Princess an elaborate courtesy.
+
+"Your Royal Highness may pardon my intrusion," she said, "when I tell
+you that I am Armand Dalberg's wife----  Now, Major Moore, I am ready,"
+and she put her hand upon his arm.
+
+But Moore never moved.  Instead, he looked at me for orders.
+
+Language is utterly inadequate to describe my feelings at that moment;
+so I shall not try.  Imagination is better than words.  I know I had an
+almost uncontrollable impulse for violence--and I fancy Courtney feared
+it, for he stepped quickly over and put his hand on my shoulder.
+
+"Thank you, old man," I said.  Then I looked at the Princess.
+
+She was leaning carelessly back in her chair, watching the Spencer
+woman through half-closed eyes--a bright flush on each cheek and: a
+faint smile, half sneer, half amusement, on her lips.  Suddenly she
+looked at me, and the smile flashed out into such an one as she had
+given me in the Royal Box.
+
+My heart gave a great bound--I knew she trusted me, still.  I turned to
+the woman in black.
+
+"Is it possible, Madame, that you claim to be my wife?" I asked.
+
+She dropped Moore's arm and took a step toward me--and, as I live,
+there were tears in her eyes.
+
+"What has changed you, Armand?" she asked.  "Why do you flout me so?"
+
+I stared at her.  "God help me, woman, you must be crazy!" I said.
+
+She put out her hand appealingly.  "You don't mean that, dear, surely?"
+And, now, the tears were in her voice, too.
+
+"What I mean, Madame, is that you are either crazy or playing some
+game," I answered curtly.
+
+She brushed aside the tears and gave me a look of almost heart-broken
+appeal.
+
+"Why do you deny me, Armand?" she cried.  "Have I grown ugly in the
+last few months?  Has the beauty you used to praise turned so soon to
+ashes?"
+
+Unfortunately, for me, her beauty had not turned to ashes.  She was, at
+that very moment, the handsomest woman I had ever seen--save only the
+Princess.  The slender figure--the magnificent neck and shoulders--the
+roll upon roll of jet-black hair--the almost classic face--and all in
+distress and trouble.
+
+She was a picture, surely; and one that was making its impression;
+judging from the faces of Lord and Lady Radnor.  I changed my manner.
+
+"My dear Mrs. Spencer," I said kindly, "no one may deny your
+beauty--and I, least of all.  But I do deny that I am your husband.
+You are, evidently, ill, and laboring under some queer hallucination."
+
+She shook her head.  "You know perfectly well, Armand, I am not ill nor
+under a delusion," she said, and looked me straight in the eyes.
+
+"Then, Madame, you are a wonderful--actress," I answered.
+
+Again the tears welled up, and one trickled slowly down her cheek.  She
+turned quickly and made as though to go.  But Courtney stayed her.
+
+"My dear Madame," he said, with that gracious courtesy of his, which I
+have never seen equalled by courtier of any Court, "may I ask you a
+question?"
+
+She inclined her head in answer and waited.
+
+"You have claimed a Royal Duke of Valeria as your husband, and he has
+denied the claim.  It is a most serious matter.  It was done in the
+presence of many witnesses, and your words, or some of them, were,
+doubtless, overheard by those at nearby tables.  The Capital will be
+full of the affair; and the results may be most unfortunate for you,
+and for His Highness.  I am the American Ambassador; here is the
+Ambassador of His Majesty of England; and, yonder, is His Royal
+Highness the Grand Duke Lotzen, Heir Presumptive to the Valerian
+Throne----"
+
+"Your speech is long, sir," she said; "please come to the question."
+
+Courtney bowed.  "I was but trying to explain why I ventured to meddle
+in Madame's business," he said.
+
+She smiled wearily.  "Your pardon, Monsieur; pray proceed."
+
+"The question I want to ask is this," said Courtney: "Will you not tell
+us when and where you became the wife of Armand Dalberg?"
+
+"Yes, Monsieur, and gladly--and I thank you for the thought.  I was
+married to Armand Dalberg--then a Major in the American Army--on the
+twenty-first day of last December in the City of New York."
+
+(That was only two months before I had sailed for Valeria; and I had
+been in New York that very day.)
+
+"And by whom, pray?" I exclaimed.
+
+"By the official you provided," was the curt reply.  Then, to Courtney,
+she added: "I don't recall his name but my certificate shows it, I
+suppose."
+
+"And you have the certificate with you?" he asked.
+
+"It is somewhere among my luggage.  If you care to see it I shall try
+to find it to-morrow."
+
+"Thank you, Madame," Courtney answered.
+
+Then Lotzen took a hand.
+
+"Will Madame permit me, also, to ask her a question?" he said.
+
+"Certainly, Your Highness," she answered, and would have curtsied had
+he not waved her up.
+
+"Was the marriage secret?" he asked.
+
+The answer was instant: "It was private but not secret."
+
+"Then, why is it that Major Dalberg's record in the War office in
+Washington makes no mention of this marriage?  I happen to know it does
+not."
+
+"I do not know," she answered, rather tartly.  "It was not, I assume,
+my duty to report it."
+
+"And, further, Madame," Lotzen continued.  "If Major Dalberg were lucky
+enough to marry you, why, in Heaven's name, should he deny you within a
+few short months?"
+
+"I might guess one of the reasons," she answered languidly--and let her
+eyes rest upon the Princess.
+
+And Dehra laughed in her face.
+
+Lotzen shrugged his shoulders and was silent.
+
+"Are there any more questions, Messieurs?" she asked.
+
+No one answered.
+
+"Then, with your permission, I will obey my husband's orders and
+withdraw," she said mockingly.  "Major Moore, your arm."
+
+When she was gone, Lotzen turned to me and held out his hand.
+
+"I'm with you, Armand," he said heartily.  "She's no wife of yours,
+certificate to the contrary notwithstanding."
+
+I thanked him gratefully--the more so since it was so totally
+unexpected.  Then, without giving the others an opportunity to express
+their opinion (they would, of course, have been constrained to agree
+with the Heir Presumptive; all except the Princess, and, of her, I had
+no doubt) and addressing, particularly, the Radnors, I said:
+
+"The supper is spoiled beyond repair, I fear, but I shall ask you to go
+on with it, for I wish to acquaint you with some facts in the life of
+the woman who claims me as her husband."
+
+"We are quite ready to accept Your Highness's simple denial," said Lord
+Radnor.
+
+"I prefer you hear my story first," I answered.
+
+Then I told them, in detail, what I had only outlined to the Princess,
+concerning Madeline Spencer.  When I had finished, Lord Radnor shook
+his grey head gravely.
+
+"His Highness of Lotzen is quite right," he said.  "You never married
+that woman.  Either she is a blackmailer or she is doing this in pure
+revenge.  What's your notion, Courtney?"
+
+"The marriage story is, of course, a pure lie," said Courtney, "but,
+there, I quit.  I never try to guess a woman's purpose--and a pretty
+woman's least of all."
+
+"God bless me, man!" Radnor exclaimed; "for a bachelor you are wondrous
+wise."
+
+"Maybe that's why he is a bachelor," said Lady Helen.
+
+"But even the wise get foolish at times," I said--and smiled at her.
+And she made a face at me behind her fan.
+
+Then the Princess arose and, taking Lord Radnor's arm, she led the way
+down the garden.  I came last with Lady Radnor.  When we reached the
+exit Dehra insisted upon waiting until the Radnors and Courtney had
+gone.  She was, she said, helping me do the honors.  Then, when her own
+carriage was at the door, she turned to the Countess Giska.
+
+"His Highness will drive with me," she said.  "Major Moore, will you
+escort the Countess?"
+
+"But, Dehra----" I protested.
+
+She was in the brougham, now.
+
+"You will not permit me to drive alone to the Palace," she said.
+
+"But, Dehra----" I began again.
+
+She reached over and took my hand.
+
+Still I hesitated.
+
+"Come, sweetheart," she said softly.
+
+I could resist no longer.  I sprang in; the door slammed, and we were
+alone together.
+
+No, not alone, either.  The Spencer woman was there with us--before
+us--all around us.  "I am Armand Dalberg's wife" was pounding in my
+brain.
+
+Then I felt a soft little hand slip into mine; a perfumed hair tress
+touched my cheek; and the sweetest voice, to me, on earth whispered in
+my ear.
+
+"Don't I get my kiss now?"
+
+I flung my arm about her and caught her close--then loosed her sharply
+and drew back.
+
+"God help me, Dehra, I may not," I said.
+
+She laughed softly, and again she found my hand--and I felt her hair
+brush my face--and her body rest against my shoulder.
+
+"Why, Armand?" she asked.  "Why may you not kiss your betrothed?"
+
+"Because," said I, "because----"
+
+"Yes, dear, go on," she whispered.
+
+I drew my hand away from hers.  "Did you not hear that woman claim me
+as her husband?" I said.
+
+But she only pressed the closer.  I was in the very corner of the
+carriage now; I could retreat no farther.  And, maybe, I was glad.  I
+think I was.
+
+"But that's no reason," she insisted.  "You are not her husband."
+
+"You believe that, dear?" I cried.
+
+She put her arms about my neck and kissed me, almost fiercely, on the
+lips--then, suddenly, drew back and, with both hands pressed against my
+breast, she viewed me at arm's length.
+
+"Believe it?" she said; "believe it?  I never believed anything else."
+
+I took her hands and reverently touched them to my forehead--then, held
+them tight.
+
+"After all these years, God would not send you to me just to mock my
+prayers," she added.
+
+"But the certificate!" I objected.
+
+"A lie or a forgery," she said scornfully.
+
+I drew her head upon my shoulder.  "Sweetheart," I whispered; "may I
+kiss you, now?"
+
+She lifted her dear face and looked up into mine with glistening eyes,
+her lips half parted.  My own eyes, too, were wet, I think.
+
+"Yes, Armand--now and always," she answered.
+
+And, so I held her, for a moment; then, bent and kissed her.  And that
+kiss is on my lips this instant, and will be until they numb in death.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+HER WORD AND HER CERTIFICATE
+
+If any man--having lived a bachelor to early middle life, has then found
+his ideal, and has been, unexpectedly and undeservedly, favored with her
+love, and then, within two hours thereafter and in her very presence, has
+been claimed by another woman as her husband--that man will be able to
+appreciate something of my state of mind.  No one else could, so it is
+not worth while attempting to describe it.
+
+I admit I lay awake most of the night trying to determine how to meet the
+Spencer woman's attack.  And I had reached no satisfactory decision when
+I went down to breakfast.
+
+The formal ceremony of my taking over the Governorship of Dornlitz was
+fixed for noon.  I would be occupied the remainder of the afternoon at
+headquarters; and then, in the evening, I was to give a dinner to the
+ranking military officers in the Capital.  I wanted to get some plan of
+action arranged at once and, feeling the need of clear-headed counsel, I
+dispatched Bernheim to the American Embassy with a request that Courtney
+join me immediately.  I had just finished my meal when he was announced,
+and we repaired to my private cabinet.
+
+The top paper on my desk was the report of the Secret Police upon "The
+occupants of the third box on the right," which I had ordered the
+previous evening.  I carried it to Courtney and we read it together.  It
+was long and detailed and covered all the movements of the trio since
+their entry into Dornlitz.
+
+In effect it was: That the elderly couple were only chance acquaintances
+of the younger woman, having met her on the train en route from Paris;
+that they had reached the Capital the previous day and had registered at
+the Hotel Metzen as "Mr. and Mrs. James Bacon, New York City," and "Mrs.
+Armand Dalberg and maid, Washington, D. C.;" that the Mrs. Dalberg had
+remained in her apartments until evening, had then dined in the public
+dining room with the Bacons, and the three had then gone to the Opera;
+that no callers had been received by any of them, so far as known by the
+hotel's officials; that, after the Opera, they had been driven directly
+to the hotel and had gone into the Hanging Garden and had taken a table;
+that, presently, the one known as Mrs. Dalberg had intruded upon certain
+personages of high rank, who were at a near-by table; that, after a
+rather prolonged discussion, she had been escorted back to her
+companions, the Bacons (who had, meanwhile, remained at their table) by
+an Aide-de-Camp of one of the high personages; that the lady in question
+and the Bacons, very shortly thereafter, retired to their apartments.  At
+six A. M.--when the report was dated--they were still in their respective
+apartments.
+
+I flung the report on the desk.
+
+"Damn that woman!" I exclaimed.
+
+Courtney sat down, and the inevitable cigarette case came out.
+
+"That's scarcely emphatic enough, my dear boy," he said.  "Go into the
+next room and cut loose a bit."
+
+"I've nothing else to cut loose with," I replied.  "I used up everything,
+last night."
+
+"Good," said he.  "If the pressure is off, you are in shape to think."
+
+I shook my head.  "No, I'm not--that's why I sent for you--to do the
+thinking."
+
+He picked up the Police report.  "I'm glad she registered as Mrs. Armand
+Dalberg," he said.
+
+"The devil you are!" I exclaimed.
+
+He nodded.  "The first problem to solve is: What motive this woman has in
+proclaiming herself your wife.  There are only two motives possible, I
+think, and this registry utterly eliminates one of them."
+
+"You mean it is not blackmail," I said.
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"And the other motive?"
+
+"Revenge."
+
+"Oh, no," I said; "that woman didn't come from America to Dornlitz simply
+for revenge."
+
+"Very good," said Courtney.  "Then, the motive is not hers and we must
+look elsewhere for it."
+
+"If you mean she is only a tool," said I, "that is almost as unlikely as
+revenge."
+
+"On the contrary, why couldn't it be both--and, also, a big pile of
+money?" he asked.
+
+"Because," said I, "she would balk at the notoriety."
+
+Courtney laughed.  "Good, yellow gold, and plenty of it, is a wonderful
+persuader."
+
+"Come," said I; "what's your guess in the matter?"
+
+He tossed aside his cigarette and leaned a bit forward in his chair.
+
+"The lady has been purchased by someone to come here and pose as your
+wife; the moving consideration to her was enough cash to make her
+independently rich and the pleasure of thus being able to square off with
+you, on her own account.  That's my guess--and I fancy it's yours too,"
+he ended.
+
+I laughed.  "Yes," said I; "it is.  I spent the night over the mix and
+that's the best solution I could make."
+
+Courtney lit a fresh cigarette, "Of course, it's Lotzen," said he.  "And
+a very clever plot it is.  No Princess and no Crown for you, my boy,
+until this Madame Armand Dalberg is eliminated--and, maybe, not even
+then."
+
+"Your 'then' is the only rift in the cloud," said I.  "Eliminate the
+Spencer woman, and, I think, I can manage."
+
+He looked at me questioningly.
+
+"Her Highness was very gracious to me last night," I explained--and I
+felt my face getting red.
+
+Courtney got up and came over to me,
+
+"Is it up to a hand-shake, old man?" he asked.
+
+I nodded, and we gripped fingers.
+
+"It would have been up to the King, to-morrow, but for this miserable
+wife business," said I.
+
+"Good!" he exclaimed.  "Lotzen does not hold all the cards--you've got a
+few trumps, too.  It will be a pretty game."
+
+"For the spectators," I supplemented.
+
+"For you, too; when you get into the swing of it."
+
+"I wish I had your happy way of viewing things," I said.
+
+He laughed.  "Oh, it's easy to view some other fellow's affairs happily.
+That is why a friend's advice is usually serviceable."
+
+I took a pipe and began to fill it.  "It's that advice I want," I said.
+
+He was silent for a space.  I smoked and waited.
+
+"I suppose you had no opportunity to talk with the Princess after the
+supper, last night?" he said.
+
+I smiled.  "I drove with her to the Palace."
+
+"Alone?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Yes--she ordered me in with her and sent the Countess with Moore."
+
+He sat up sharply.  "Gad!  Major, she's a treasure!" he exclaimed.  "That
+tells me what I want to know: she has measured the Spencer woman's story."
+
+"Both story and certificate," said I.  "She says the one is a lie and the
+other a forgery."
+
+He raised his hand emphatically.  "My dear fellow," he said, sternly, "if
+you didn't get down on your knees, last night, and thank the good God for
+that brave girl up yonder in the Palace, you deserve to lose her--and I
+shall go over to Lotzen's side, myself."
+
+"Well," said I, "I didn't.  I was too busy thinking about and praising
+her."
+
+"That's the same thing," he said.  "I'll stay with you."
+
+I got up and bowed.
+
+"Thank you, Your Excellency," I said.
+
+Then we both smiled.
+
+"It's queer," said Courtney, "how, even in the most embarrassing
+difficulties, a woman's love makes a man's heart light."
+
+I nodded.  I was thinking of the drive to the Palace.
+
+Courtney's laugh aroused me.  "Come out of the brougham," he called.
+
+"That is where I was," I admitted.
+
+"The next thing," said he, "is to see that marriage certificate."
+
+"If there be one," I questioned.
+
+"There is one--of that you may be sure."
+
+"She offered to show it to you, to-day," said I.  "Call her bluff."
+
+"I'm going to accept her offer, when I leave here.  And, what's more, I
+shall see the certificate," he said.  "This plot has been too well laid
+for the essentials to have been overlooked.  I'll bet a twenty you were
+in New York City on the twenty-first of last December."
+
+"Yes," said I, "I was.  So it's up to proving the certificate a forgery."
+
+He shook his head.  "I fear we shall find it a perfectly regular
+certificate."
+
+"You mean," said I, "that they have bribed some official to make a false
+record?"
+
+"Just that."
+
+"Then, if the woman, the official and the records all convict me, how am
+I to prove my innocence?" I demanded.
+
+"By waiting for the enemy to make a blunder.  They have already made one
+which results delightfully for you."
+
+"I reckon I'm a trifle thick-headed, Courtney," I said.  "You'll have to
+explain."
+
+"Never mind the head, old man; it will be all right to-morrow.  Their
+blunder is in having unwittingly sprung their trap on the very evening
+the Princess and you came to an understanding.  Had they been even a few
+hours earlier you would not have dared to speak of love to her--and so
+you might not have had the King's daughter as a special advocate.  On the
+other hand, had they waited a day longer, your betrothal would,
+doubtless, have received Frederick's approval, and have been formally
+proclaimed.  How embarrassing, then, to the Princess; how intensely
+irritating to the King, and how particularly injurious to you in the eyes
+of the nation--the people would think you won her under false colors;
+and, though you proved your innocence a hundred times, the taint would
+always linger."
+
+"You're right, Courtney," I exclaimed; "right as Gospel."
+
+"Now, see how lucky you are: You have the Princess--you are sure of her
+and no one knows it.  You go to the King, to-day; tell him the whole
+story of the Princess and you, and of this Spencer woman's claim and
+history.  Ask him to suspend judgment until you can establish the falsity
+of her charge.  If I know Frederick, you need have no fear of his answer."
+
+"It's the only course," said I; "but, first, I would like to know the
+facts as to that certificate."
+
+Courtney arose.  "You shall have a copy of it before candle-light," he
+said.  "Where can I see you, if there is anything of my interview with
+the lady I think you need to know?"
+
+"I'll be here at six o'clock," said I.
+
+"Very good--and, of course, not a word to-night to the King as to Lotzen.
+Let him guess that for himself."
+
+"Trust me," I answered; "I'm getting more awake."
+
+Then I sent for Moore.  "Colonel Moore," I said (as Aide to a Field
+Marshal he was entitled to a Colonelcy, and had been gazetted to it in
+the orders of the previous evening), "has the scene in the Garden, last
+night, become public talk?"
+
+"I fear so, sir," he replied.
+
+"Come, no sugar--out with it."
+
+"Well, Your Highness, the town rings with it.  It's the sensation of the
+hour."
+
+"Good," said I.  "The more they talk, to-day, the less they will talk,
+to-morrow."
+
+I paused, and looked him over.  He was a thorough-bred; clean-cut,
+handsome, manly.  I never saw a finer figure than he made in his blue and
+white uniform.
+
+"Now, why wasn't the lady sensible, Colonel, and marry herself to you
+instead of to me?" I asked.
+
+He fairly jumped.  "God forbid," he exclaimed.  Then, he laughed.
+"Besides, I'm thinking, sir, it wasn't looks she was after."
+
+I laughed, too.  "Go 'long with you," I said; "you deserve court-martial."
+
+Then I sent him to the King with the request to be received at seven
+o'clock.  He also carried a note to the Princess, telling her I would
+call at six thirty.
+
+In due time, he returned: The King would receive me at the hour named.
+The Princess, however, sent her reply by a footman.  It was a note; and,
+except that I was expected for sure at _six thirty_, it is quite
+unnecessary to give its contents.  They were not intended for general
+circulation.  I might say, however, that the note was eminently
+satisfactory to me, and that I read it more than once.  And it was in the
+inside pocket of my coat when I rode across to Headquarters to assume my
+new authority.
+
+The ceremony was very brief.  The retiring Governor, Marshal Perdez, with
+an Aide, met me at the causeway and escorted me to the large audience
+chamber, where His Majesty's formal order was read.  Perdez then
+presented his staff, and the doors were thrown open and I received the
+officers of the Army and Navy on duty at the Capital.  It was all over in
+an hour, and I was alone in my office with Bernheim.
+
+I walked over to a window and stood there, in wondering reflection.
+
+Less than three months ago, I was simply a Major in the American Army,
+with small hope of ever getting beyond a Colonel's eagles.  The "Star"
+was so utterly unlikely that I never even considered the possibility.  It
+was only a rainbow or a mirage; and I was not given to chasing either.
+
+And, to-day, I looked down on the crowded Alta Avenue of Dornlitz--then,
+up at the portrait of my Sovereign--then, down at my uniform, with a
+Marshal's Insignia on the sleeve and the Princess Royal's note in the
+pocket.
+
+What mirage could have pictured such realities!  What rainbow could have
+appeared more dazzlingly evanescent!
+
+Then I saw a Victoria approaching.  And in it was the Spencer
+woman--brilliantly beautiful--haughtily indifferent.  The passers-by
+stared at her; men stopped and gazed after; even women threw glances over
+their shoulders.  And small wonder--for, the Devil knows, she was good to
+look upon.
+
+As she came opposite me she looked up and our eyes met.  I gave no
+greeting, you may be sure; but she leaned forward sharply and smiled and
+waved her hand.  I gritted my teeth, and would have stepped back, but the
+crowd, following her direction, caught sight of me and a faint cheer went
+up.  The men took off their hats and the women fluttered their kerchiefs.
+I bowed to them and saluted with my hand.
+
+"Damn her!" I said, not knowing I spoke audibly.  Then I remembered
+Bernheim; he was standing at another window.
+
+"Colonel," said I, "did you see that woman in the Victoria?"
+
+His heels came together with a click.  "Yes, Your Highness.
+
+"Have you heard of the occurrence in the Hanging Garden, last night?"
+
+"Yes, Your Highness."
+
+"Well, that's the lady," said I.  "What do you think of her?"
+
+He hesitated.
+
+"Speak out," I said.
+
+"I think it is absolutely incomprehensible how such a woman would lend
+herself to Lotzen's plot," he answered, instantly.
+
+I looked at him in vast surprise.
+
+"So, you have guessed it," I said.
+
+"I know Lotzen, Your Highness."
+
+I motioned to a chair.  "Sit down," I said.
+
+Then I told him the whole story--saving only so much as concerned the
+Princess individually.  He was plainly pleased at my confidence--and I
+learned many things from him, that afternoon, which opened my eyes
+concerning some of the Court officials and Ministers.
+
+It was exactly six o'clock when Courtney was announced.  Even as he came
+into the room, he drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.
+
+"A copy of the certificate," he said.
+
+I read it very carefully.  In effect, it certified that Patrick McGuire,
+an Alderman of the City of New York, had, on the twenty-first day of
+December, 190--, in that City, in the presence of John Edwards of said
+City, united in marriage Armand Dalberg, Major, U. S. Army, and Madeline
+Spencer, widow, of Washington, D. C.; there appearing, after due inquiry
+made, to be no legal impediment thereto; and the parties thereto having
+proven, on oath, their identity and their legal age.
+
+"Well, I'm not a lawyer," said I, in disgust; "but this thing sounds
+pretty strong.  I fancy it is about as close as I shall ever come to
+reading my own obituary."
+
+"It's more than strong," said Courtney: "it's in strict conformity with
+the New York law.
+
+"But, the license," I objected.
+
+"None is required in New York."
+
+I threw up my hands.  "You saw the original certificate?" I asked.
+
+"Yes.  The lady, herself, had gone out, but had left it with her maid.
+And I have not the least doubt of its genuineness."
+
+"Then, we are up to Alderman Patrick McGuire," I said.
+
+"I cabled at noon to Washington asking the Department to obtain,
+immediately, full information as to his character and reputation."
+
+"Courtney, you're a wonder," I said.
+
+"I'm glad you approve," he answered.  "I thought it well to move at once,
+so the inquiry could be in New York early this morning; and, even if it
+took the whole day to investigate, the answer should be here by midnight
+at the latest."
+
+Just then, there was a knock on the door and a footman entered.
+
+"For His Excellency, the American Ambassador," he said, and handed
+Courtney an envelope.
+
+"Here it is, now," he said.  "Cosgrove has hurried it to me."
+
+Crossing to my desk he ran a knife under the flap and drew out a
+cablegram, glanced at it an instant, then, gave it to me without comment.
+
+It was in cipher, of course; but, below it, Cosgrove had written the
+translation.  It read:
+
+
+"Individual named was killed last week by car at Twenty-third Street and
+Broadway.  Character and reputation only ordinary.  Integrity very
+doubtful.  A professional ward politician."
+
+
+"So," said I.  "Exit the Alderman.  It's a crying pity that car didn't
+get in its work four months ago."
+
+"Let us be thankful for what it did do, last week."
+
+"One lying mouth stopped," said I.
+
+He nodded.  "And only an inferior reputation left to bolster up his
+certificate."
+
+I looked again at the copy.  "I wonder if that car, by any possibility,
+might have hit Witness, John Edwards, too?"
+
+Courtney smiled.  "It's dollars to nickels the same blow killed them
+both."
+
+"Then, it's my word against hers and the certificate."
+
+"Not exactly.  It's her word, her beauty and the certificate against your
+word, its corroborating circumstances and her history."
+
+"That sounds logical," said I; "and yet, in fact, if there were nothing
+but her word it would still win out for Lotzen.  I may not marry the
+Princess so long as another woman claims to be my wife."
+
+Courtney frowned.  "But, if you prove her a liar by cold facts?"
+
+"It will not suffice," said I.  "All doubt must be removed.  She must
+admit her--error."
+
+He raised his eyebrows, and out came the cigarette case.
+
+"Then, do you appreciate that, until she does, you will have the
+disagreeable duty of preventing her from departing the Capital--certainly
+the Kingdom?"
+
+"Practically that," I admitted.  "I have already directed that she be not
+permitted to leave Dornlitz."
+
+He shook his head.  "There, you send me over to the Enemy.  If she appeal
+to the Embassy I may not suffer her to be restrained.  She is an American
+subject."
+
+"Not at all," said I.  "If she be my wife, she is a subject of His
+Majesty, Frederick the Third."
+
+"Come, Major, that's not half bad," he laughed.  "And I'll stand on it,
+too.  So long as the lady claims to be the wife of a Grand Duke of
+Valeria, the American Ambassador will absolutely decline to interfere in
+her behalf."
+
+"She may get powerfully tired of having me for a husband," I observed.
+
+He studied the smoke-rings a bit.
+
+"I wonder just how far it would be well for you to play the husband?" he
+mused.
+
+"What's that?" I almost shouted.
+
+"I mean, how far would she be willing to go in this wife business?"
+
+"God knows--but the whole way, I fancy."
+
+"Would it be worth while to bluff her by pretending to acknowledge her
+claim and, then, inviting her to take her place at the head of your
+establishment?"
+
+"Acknowledge her!  Not for the millionth of a second."
+
+"Oh, I mean only before witnesses who understood the scheme."
+
+"You don't know the lady, Courtney," I answered.  "She would call the
+bluff instantly--and do it so well the witnesses, themselves, would be
+deceived and turned against me."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Lotzen seems to be uncommonly lucky in his
+leading woman," he observed.
+
+"The Devil usually helps his own," said I.
+
+Then, I hastened to the Palace.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+THE PRINCESS ROYAL SITS AS JUDGE
+
+Dehra was alone in her library, and she came forward with both hands
+extended.
+
+"It has been a long day, Armand," she said.
+
+I took her hands and kissed first one and then the other.
+
+"Yes, dear one, it has been a long day," I said.
+
+I led her to a chair and stood before her.  She held up her hands and
+regarded them critically.  Then she looked up at me with quizzical eyes.
+
+"You like my hands?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"Better than my lips?"
+
+"No, dear."
+
+"Well, one might think so.  But, if you don't, then sir, I'm waiting."
+Her peremptoriness was very sweet.
+
+I had gone there determined to take no lover's privileges until the
+cloud I was under had been removed.  But, what would you!  I was not
+stone, nor ice--and, no more was the Princess.
+
+"You are a very imperious little sweetheart," I said, and kissed her;
+and whether once or twice or oftener does not matter.
+
+She drew me down on the arm of the chair.
+
+"I know what was in your mind, dear," she said; "and it's very good of
+you; yet, we settled all that last night.  I don't care a rap for that
+woman."
+
+I let my fingers stray softly through her hair.
+
+"Not even if she have legal proof I am her husband?" I asked.
+
+"You mean that certificate," she cut in.  "Have you seen it?"
+
+"Courtney has; and it's very regular and very formidable."
+
+She tossed her head sharply.
+
+"It certifies a lie.  I wouldn't believe a hundred of them."
+
+"You're a wonder, Dehra; a perfect wonder," I said.  "Why should you
+trust me so?"
+
+She looked up with one of those subduing smiles.
+
+"I don't know, dear," she said.  "I have not bothered to analyze it.
+It's enough for me that I do."
+
+"And enough for me, too, sweetheart," I said and bent and caressed her
+cheek.
+
+When I raised my head, the King was standing in the doorway.  I sprang
+up and saluted.
+
+"I assume you were not expecting me," he remarked, looking straight at
+me.
+
+"Your Majesty's logic is faultless," I replied--and I saw the Princess
+smile.
+
+He came nearer and let his eyes search my face a moment.
+
+"Can you say as much for your conduct just now, my Lord Duke?" he
+demanded.
+
+I gave him look for look.
+
+"If judged upon the true facts I can," I answered.
+
+He studied me a moment longer; then, motioned to a chair.  As I made to
+take it, Dehra caught my hand.
+
+"Sit here, Armand," she commanded, touching the arm of her own chair.
+
+I hesitated; and the King regarded her in stern surprise.  Then I
+smiled a negation and went on to the place Frederick had indicated.
+Straightway, Dehra got up and, coming behind me and leaning on the
+chair back, she put her arms about my neck.
+
+I reached up and took her hand--then, arose and stood beside her.
+
+"You see, Your Majesty," said she, with calm finality, "I know the true
+facts."
+
+For a space, Frederick's face remained absolutely expressionless; then,
+it slowly softened.
+
+"It seems to me there are a few facts which I, too, might, possibly, be
+permitted to know," he said.
+
+I breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+"It was to tell Your Majesty those very facts that I sought an
+audience, this evening," I said.
+
+Just then a clock began to chime slowly the hour.  The king waited
+until the last stroke--the seventh--had sounded, then, he nodded.
+
+"I am listening, Marshal," he said briskly.
+
+It might be that, after one has asked twelve or thirteen fathers for a
+daughter, in marriage, he has got sufficiently hardened to confront the
+fourteenth with, at least, a show of indifference; but, as this was my
+first father, I admit I was a trifle uneasy along the spine; and,
+somehow, my voice seemed to get lost in my throat, and the words were
+very reluctant in coming.  I suppose Frederick saw my embarrassment for
+he smiled broadly.
+
+"Come, Armand," he said; "pull up that chair.  I suppose we may not
+smoke here," he added; "though I think I detect the faint suggestion of
+a miserable cigarette," and he looked at the Princess.
+
+Dehra took a tiny jeweled case from somewhere about her gown and
+offered it to the King.
+
+"Will Your Majesty try a Nestor?" she said.
+
+Frederick shook his head in repugnance.
+
+"His Majesty, most certainly, will not," he said.
+
+"But His Majesty's daughter will--with his permission."
+
+Frederick laughed.  "Or, without it, if need be," he said.  "She is a
+very headstrong young woman, Armand," he observed to me.
+
+"So His Highness has already done himself the honor to tell me," said
+she airily.
+
+"Good!" said the King.  "I admire his pluck."
+
+Dehra blew a cloud of smoke at me.
+
+"So do I," she answered.
+
+Then she went over and kissed the King.
+
+"Be nice to Armand," she whispered (but loud enough, for me to hear)
+and left the room, flinging me a farewell from her finger tips, as I
+held back the portiere.
+
+And Frederick continued to smile, and my courage grew proportionately.
+I came straight to the point.
+
+"May it please you, Sire," I said, "I have the honor to pray the hand
+of the Princess Royal in marriage."
+
+The King's smile faded; and his eyes travelled slowly from my head to
+my feet and back again to my head, for all the world as though I were
+on inspection-parade.
+
+I knew what was in his mind and my courage evaporated instantly.  I
+began to feel like a soldier caught with uniform awry and equipment
+tarnished.
+
+"Do you give me your word, sir, that you are free to marry her?" he
+demanded, suddenly.
+
+"On my honor, as an officer and a Dalberg," I answered.
+
+Instantly his manner changed.
+
+"That's quite enough, lad," he said.  "If the Princess wants you--and
+it would seem she does--I shall not say her nay.  Maybe, I am rather
+glad to say yes."
+
+I tried to thank him, but he would not let me.
+
+"It's a matter for the two most concerned to arrange," he declared  "I
+never did fancy these loveless royal marriages.  They are very little
+better than false ones."  Then he laughed.  "Tell me about this one of
+yours," he said, "the 'true facts' as you called them."
+
+So, I told him, in detail, of the supper in the Garden, the astonishing
+accusation of the Spencer woman, and of what I knew concerning her in
+America.  It was a long story, but Frederick's interest never dulled.
+At the end, I handed him the copy of the marriage certificate and the
+cablegram to Courtney.  He read them very carefully; then smoked
+awhile, in silence.
+
+"I suppose you have your own notion as to this woman's motive?" he said.
+
+"Yes," I answered.
+
+"Do you care to give it to me?"
+
+I let him see my hesitation.
+
+"Well, I think it is not entirely revenge," I said.
+
+"It might even be that she is only playing the cards someone else has
+dealt her," he said significantly.
+
+I smiled and made no answer.
+
+"They are mighty strong cards, Armand," he said.
+
+"And a mighty strong player holds them," I added.  "More's the pity."
+
+He nodded.  "I saw the lady this afternoon in the Park.  I rather fancy
+almost any man would be quite willing to have her claim him as her
+husband."
+
+"And, therefore, her story will be very generally accepted," I said.
+
+"Doubtless--it's far easier to accept it than to disbelieve it."
+
+"Consequently, if it please you, Sire, let my betrothal to Her Royal
+Highness remain secret until this woman's claim has been thoroughly
+disproved."
+
+Frederick thought a moment.  "You are entirely right," he said; "and,
+particularly, since, under old Henry's Decree, she would be your legal
+wife--assuming, that is, that you had married her."  Then he smiled.
+"You see, sir, the very thing you were so insistent upon, now works to
+your disadvantage.  If it were not for that Decree you could laugh at
+this woman.  I could simply pronounce her morganatic, and you would be
+quite free to marry Dehra, at once."
+
+But I shook my head.  "I must bring Dehra a clean record," I said; "and
+I have no fault to find with that Decree.  But for it, I would not be
+here--though, neither would Madame Spencer," I added inadvertently.
+
+The King stared at me.
+
+"You don't think she knows the Decree," he exclaimed.
+
+"I think she never heard of the Laws of the Dalbergs," I answered.  "I
+mean that it was my being here that brought her."
+
+Again the King smiled.
+
+"What you mean is that she would not be here but for the fact that by
+Henry's Decree she would be your lawful wife and I powerless to
+interfere."
+
+I made no answer.  I was rather anxious for him to pursue the premise
+to its conclusion.
+
+"You see where that deduction leads," he went on: "only Dehra and
+Lotzen know the Laws of our House."
+
+"I ask Your Majesty to observe that I have made no deduction," I said.
+
+He stopped short and looked at me, a moment.
+
+"Quite right," he said; "and it's proper you should not to me.  But, I
+suppose you will concede it was not the Princess."
+
+"Certainly," I agreed.
+
+"Ergo--it must have been----"
+
+"I stop at the Princess," said I.
+
+He sat silent, frowning very slightly.
+
+"If I were quite sure that Lotzen were the instigator of this plot, I
+would remove him utterly from the line of succession and banish him
+from the Kingdom."
+
+I thought it a proper time for me to be very quiet.
+
+"In the meantime, however, I shall send that infernal woman packing
+over the border by the quickest route," he said vehemently.
+
+"I trust not, Sire," I said.  "As Governor of Dornlitz, I gave orders,
+this morning, that she be not permitted to leave the Capital."
+
+"But, she's an American subject!" he exclaimed.  "She can't be held
+prisoner."
+
+"If she's my wife, she's a subject of Your Majesty."
+
+"True!  But why do you want to keep her here?"
+
+"To give time to investigate her doings since I became an Archduke," I
+said.  "I may not marry Dehra in the face of that certificate and old
+Henry's Decree; and, since the Alderman is dead, only through Madeline
+Spencer herself can the falsity of her claim be shown.  Every moment
+here she must act her part and be under our constant surveillance.
+Sometime, she is sure to make a slip or forget her lines.  But, let her
+be at large and, with plenty of funds at her command, she will be a
+will-o-the-wisp, to be followed over the world for years--and her slips
+will be few and very far between, and with no one there to note them."
+
+"Very good," said Frederick; "keep her or send her, as you see
+fit--only, don't embroil me with America, if you can avoid it."
+
+"There is no danger," I assured him.  "Courtney says he will not
+interfere, so long as she claims to be my wife."
+
+Frederick laughed.  "Courtney's a friend," he said heartily.
+
+"None better lives," I replied.
+
+He lit a fresh cigar and studied the coal, a bit.
+
+"I wish you would tell me," he said, "whether you have any evidence
+connecting Lotzen with this matter."
+
+"Not a scrap nor a syllable," I answered promptly.
+
+"Has he ever exhibited any ill will toward you?"
+
+"None, whatever.  On the contrary, he has been uniformly courteous and
+considerate--and I have told you of his action, last night, at the
+supper."
+
+"All of which is just what he would do if he were guilty," was the
+answer.  "No, no, Armand; your refusal to implicate Lotzen does you
+credit, but this attack on you comes at such an opportune moment, for
+him, that he may not escape the suspicion which it breeds.  I don't
+want to believe him guilty, yet----" and he raised his hands
+expressively.
+
+Then the portieres parted and the Princess stood in the doorway.
+Frederick saw her.
+
+"Come in, Your Highness," he said.
+
+She crossed to him and patted his cheek.
+
+"Have you been nice to Armand?" she asked.
+
+"He seemed to think so.  I told him he might have you."
+
+"You dear old father!" she exclaimed; and slipping to his knee, she
+gave him a long hug.
+
+"Hold on, daughter; there are two conditions," he said.  "One is that
+you order Armand about, now, instead of your Father."
+
+"Oh, don't worry about me, Sire," said she, "I'm quite able to order
+you both."
+
+"There's not a grain of doubt of that.  But, you would better hold off
+on Armand until you have him safely tied up; he may rue bargain."
+
+"I fancy I can wait that very short time," she laughed, looking at me.
+
+"But, maybe, it won't be a very short time," the King remarked.
+
+She tossed her head.
+
+"It's the woman's privilege to fix the day."
+
+"Which brings me to the second condition," said he; "that, until the
+present wife, which some one seems to have provided for Armand, has
+been eliminated, not only may there be no marriage, but the betrothal,
+itself, must remain a secret with us three."
+
+"But she's not his wife!" Dehra exclaimed.
+
+"No," said the King, "she is not his wife.  If I thought she were,
+there would be no betrothal."
+
+Dehra's small foot began to tap the floor.
+
+"I have told Armand I don't care a rap for that woman," she answered.
+"And if, as Your Majesty admits, she is not his wife, why should she be
+permitted to control the situation to her own liking?"
+
+The King looked at me with an amused smile.
+
+"There, sir," said he, "you see what an unreasonable little woman
+you're seeking to marry."
+
+I leaned forward and took Dehra's hand.
+
+"I think I rather like this particular sort of unreasonableness," I
+said.  Then, to her, I added: "But I must endorse His Majesty's second
+condition."
+
+She frowned; then seated herself on one end of the high writing table.
+
+"I am prepared to hear your arguments, messieurs," she said.  "Pray
+proceed and be brief."
+
+The King nodded to me.
+
+"You have the opening," he said.
+
+So, I explained the whole matter, as best I could, and the reasons
+which moved the King and me in our decision as to the betrothal
+remaining secret and the marriage deferred.
+
+Dehra heard me through without comment; then she turned to the King.
+
+"May it please your Honoress," said Frederick, "I cannot do more than
+endorse and support all that my colleague has so ably presented.  We
+appeal to the Court's well-known sense of propriety, and throw
+ourselves upon her mercy."
+
+"We have been much impressed by the argument of the learned counsel,"
+said Dehra, in formal tones, "and, while not agreeing with all that it
+contained, yet, we are disposed to regard it, in the main, as sound.
+The second condition is therefore sustained.--But, I wish I could tell
+that woman what I think of her!" she exclaimed.
+
+"God forbid!" the King ejaculated.
+
+Dehra went over and kissed him.
+
+"You're a dear," she said.
+
+Then, she came across to me.
+
+"And what is he?" asked Frederick, with a laugh.
+
+She drew back quickly.
+
+"According to his argument, he is only my cousin, the Grand Duke
+Armand," she answered.
+
+"But, you said you did not agree with part of my argument," I objected.
+
+"Did I?--Well, then, that must have been the part," she said.
+
+The King arose.
+
+"I think it's time for me to go," he said.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+PITCH AND TOSS
+
+The following morning, I cabled a detective agency, in New York, giving
+them all the material facts in the case and requesting them to make an
+exhaustive investigation of the movements of Madeline Spencer during
+the period intervening between my confirmation as an Archduke and her
+sailing for Europe.  I told them I required evidence, promptly, to
+disprove the marriage, and gave them _carte blanche_ in its gathering.
+At the same time, I wired a prominent Army officer, at Governor's
+Island, to vouch for my order.  I wanted no time lost while the Agency
+was investigating me.
+
+Of course, the natural method would have been to direct the Valerian
+Ambassador, at Washington, to procure the information; but, I felt
+quite sure, that would simply be playing into Lotzen's hand.  Some one
+in the Embassy would be very willing to oblige the Heir Presumptive by
+betraying me.  And it was only reasonable to suppose the Duke had
+already arranged for it.  It was one of those "trifles" which, as
+Courtney had said, would not be overlooked.
+
+About noon, Bernheim came in with a card in his fingers and a queer
+smile about his firm-set lips.
+
+I took the card.
+
+"The devil!" I exclaimed.  Then I looked at Bernheim.  "What's the
+move, now?"
+
+"That is what I tried to find out, sir," he answered.
+
+"And failed?'
+
+"Completely.  And, yet, I didn't dare to dismiss her without your
+direct order."
+
+"As she well knew."
+
+"And as she had the effrontery to tell me," he added.
+
+I laughed.  "And did it very prettily, too, I'll wager."
+
+"Quite too prettily.  'Come, Colonel Bernheim,' she said, looking me
+straight in the eyes, and smiling sweetly enough to turn most any man's
+head, 'you want to refuse to let me see the Marshal, but, you know
+perfectly well, you dare not.  He might be glad for a word with me in
+private; and then, again, he might not--but you don't know and you are
+afraid to risk it.  _Voila_!'  And then she laughed."
+
+"Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit
+her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
+
+"Only by leaving the door ajar."
+
+"Well, do what you can," I said.
+
+I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used
+none.  He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
+
+"Madame, His Royal Highness will receive you."
+
+"You are most kind, Colonel Bernheim," she said, in her sweetest tones,
+as she passed him; "I owe you many thanks."
+
+"You owe me none, madame," was the rather gruff answer.
+
+Then he went out, and closed the door with altogether unnecessary vigor.
+
+She turned and looked after him.
+
+"What a great bear he is, Armand," she said, with a confidential air.
+
+I stiffened.  "You wished to see me, Mrs. Spencer," I said.
+
+She laughed.  "Still denying me, are you?" she rippled--"And even in
+your own private office!"
+
+I looked at her, in silence.
+
+"Please don't trouble to offer me a chair, dear," she went on; "this
+one looks comfortable,"--then calmly seated herself, and began to draw
+off her gloves.
+
+The cool assurance of the woman was so absurd I had to smile.
+
+"I fancy it would be quite superfluous to offer you anything that
+chanced to be within your reach," I said.
+
+"Certainly, dear, when, at the same time, it chances to be my
+husband's," she answered, and fell to smoothing out her gloves.
+
+"Come, come!" I exclaimed.  "What's the sense in keeping up the farce?"
+
+"What farce, Armand, dear?"
+
+"That I am your husband," I answered curtly.  Her 'dears' and her
+'Armands' were getting on my nerves.
+
+Her face took on an injured look.
+
+"Judging from your action, the other night and now, it would be well
+for me if it were a farce," she said sadly.
+
+I walked over to the table, on the far side of which she sat.
+
+"Is it possible, madame, that, here, alone with me, you still have the
+effrontery to maintain you are my wife?"
+
+She put her elbows on the table and, resting her chin in her hands,
+looked me straight in the eyes.
+
+"And do you, sir, here, alone with me, still have the effrontery to
+maintain that I am not your wife?" she asked.
+
+"It's not necessary," said I, "for you know it quite as well as I do."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "You're a good bit of a brute, Armand."
+
+"And you're a----" I began quickly--then stopped.
+
+"Yes?" she inflected.  "I am a----?"
+
+"I leave the blank to your own filling," I said, with a bow.
+
+She laughed gayly.  "Do you know you have played this scene very
+nicely, my dear," she said.  "If Colonel Bernheim has chanced to stay
+close enough to the door, he so neatly slammed ajar, he has heard all
+that we have said.  Though, whether it was by your order or due to his
+own curiosity, I, of course, do not know.  Either way, however, you
+scored with him."
+
+I was so sure that Bernheim would now be far enough away from the door
+that I reached across and flung it back.
+
+The ante-room was empty, and, through its open doorway, we could see
+Bernheim and Moore coming slowly down the corridor and twenty feet away.
+
+But she only laughed again.
+
+"Which simply proves Colonel Bernheim's wonderful agility," she said.
+"He must be a most valuable Aide."
+
+I closed the door.
+
+"We are drifting from the point," I said.  "You did me the honor to
+request an interview."
+
+"Not exactly, my dear Armand.  I sought admittance to my husband."
+
+"By 'husband' you mean----?" I asked.
+
+She smiled tolerantly.  "By all means, keep up the play," she said;
+"but we shall save time and energy by assuming that, whenever I speak
+of my husband, I mean you."
+
+"I take it, we may also assume that you did not seek such admission to
+me for the sole pleasure of looking at me?" I said.
+
+"Quite right, Armand; though there was a time--and not so long
+ago--when we both were more than glad to look at each other.--And,
+maybe, I have not changed."  And she leaned forward and smiled with the
+frankness of a sweet-faced child.
+
+I made a gesture of repugnance.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, madame, lay aside this simulated sentiment and be
+good enough to come to the point."
+
+"The point?--the point?" she replied absently.  "True, I was
+forgetting--the sight of you, dear, always stirs me so.  I came here
+very angry with you, and, now, I have almost forgiven you."
+
+I put my finger on the electric button, and Colonel Moore responded.
+
+"Mrs. Spencer desires her carriage," I said.
+
+She gave him one of her sweetest smiles.
+
+"It's too bad, Colonel Moore, that I am always imposed upon you when
+your chief sends me from his august presence;" and she held out her
+hand to him.
+
+Moore's bow over it was positively blarneying in its deference.
+
+"It is a great pleasure, I assure you," he said.
+
+She shook her head at him.
+
+"Rather _double entendre_, Colonel."
+
+"Madame knows it was not so meant," was the quick reply.
+
+She gave him a glance of amused indifference; then arose.
+
+"And Your Royal Highness does not wish to hear my particular errand?"
+she said.
+
+"No more than before you--entered," I replied.
+
+"Intruded, you mean."
+
+"Possibly, that would be more accurate," I admitted.
+
+She gave a sarcastic laugh.
+
+"Your royalty seems to have been fatal to your courtesy."
+
+"At least, there is one particular instance in which it seems to have
+increased my forbearance."
+
+She gathered up her skirts, as though to go--then turned.
+
+"And that instance is myself?" she asked.
+
+"Your intuition is marvellous," I replied.
+
+She sat down on the chair arm.
+
+"But, why do you forbear, my dear?" she said.  "If I am not your wife,
+why don't you do something to prove it?"
+
+"What, for example?" I inquired.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.  "How ingenious you are, Armand!  You would
+even have me believe that, having decided to deny me, you did not,
+also, arrange how to proceed when I appeared."
+
+"My dear Mrs. Spencer, I said, the other night, that you were a great
+actress; permit me to repeat it."
+
+"It is very easy to act the truth, Armand," she answered.
+
+"And your appearance in Dornlitz is, I suppose, in the interest of
+truth?" I mocked.
+
+She looked at me very steadily, a moment.
+
+"At any rate, you must admit it was well for truth and decency that I
+did appear."
+
+"We but waste each other's time, Mrs. Spencer," I answered curtly, and
+nodded to Moore.
+
+But she gave no heed to the Aide's proffered arm.  She did not even
+glance at him, but leaned back on the chair, swinging her foot and
+looking as insolently tantalizing as possible.  It was a very pretty
+pose.
+
+"I may be very stupid, Armand," she said, "but, I cannot understand
+why, if my presence in Dornlitz is so annoying to you, you prevent me
+leaving it."
+
+I smiled.  "At last," said I, "we are coming to the point."
+
+"As though you hadn't guessed it from the first," she laughed.
+
+"Unfortunately, I have not Mrs. Spencer's keenness of intuition," I
+returned.
+
+She glanced over at my desk.
+
+"The Governor of Dornlitz needs none.  Official reports are better than
+intuition."
+
+"But not so rapid," I replied.
+
+She smiled.  "I was looking at the telephone," she said dryly.
+
+"An admirable medium for unpleasant conversations," I observed.
+
+"Particularly, between husband and wife, you mean."
+
+I answered with a shrug.
+
+"And, also, between the city gates and headquarters," she continued.
+
+"You are pleased to speak in riddles," I said.
+
+She let herself sink, with sinuous grace, into the chair.
+
+I sighed, with suggestive audibility, and waited.
+
+It was a good deal of a cat and dog business--and the cat was having
+all the fun--and knew it.
+
+I could not well have her dragged from the room; and the other
+alternative--to leave, myself--was not to my taste.  It looked too much
+like flight.
+
+"I wish you would explain why I am not permitted to leave Dornlitz,"
+she said.
+
+"Have you been restrained from leaving?" I asked.
+
+"Still pretending ignorance, my dear," she laughed.  "Well, then, I was
+refused exit at the North gate this morning; and that, though I was
+only going for a short drive in the country."
+
+"Why didn't you try another gate?" I asked.
+
+"I did--three others."
+
+"With similar results?"
+
+"Absolutely."
+
+"Therefore, you inferred?" I asked.
+
+"Nothing, my dear Armand, nothing.  I know.  At one of the gates, the
+officer condescended to tell me that he was acting under the express
+order of Field Marshal, His Royal Highness the Governor of Dornlitz."
+
+"And he told you the truth," I said.
+
+"Of course he did," she laughed.  "I never doubted it.  What I want to
+know is your reason for the order."
+
+"And that is what brought you here?" I asked.
+
+"That--and the pleasure of seeing my dear husband," she drawled.
+
+"I'll make a bargain with you, Mrs. Spencer," I said: "My motive for
+the order, in exchange, in strict confidence, for your motive for
+coming to Dornlitz."
+
+Of course, I had no notion she would disclose the actual motive in the
+plot.  What I was after was the story they had prepared to explain why
+I came to Valeria alone and left her to follow and, in the interim,
+posed as a bachelor.
+
+"Surely, Armand, you're not serious!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I never was more so," I said.
+
+"But why should you want me to tell you something you already know?"
+she asked--with a quick glance at Moore.
+
+"Come, come!" said I; "Colonel Moore is totally deaf, at times.  I
+promise your secret shall remain within this room."
+
+"_My_ secret!" she laughed.  "Really, Armand, you are delicious."
+
+"I don't quite understand," I said.
+
+She laughed again.  "It seems to me that why I followed you to Valeria,
+instead of coming with you, is, particularly, your secret.  You
+wouldn't care for His Majesty to know it, would you?"
+
+"If it's my secret," said I, "don't you think I ought to be let into
+it?"
+
+She thought a moment--evidently considering how much she should reveal
+to me.  Of course, she understood what I wanted and why; but this order
+of mine, restricting her within the Capital, had evidently been totally
+unexpected, and she was set upon having some explanation of it.  Hence,
+she was ready to bargain.
+
+"Come!" said I.  "In this game you're playing, you will have to
+disclose it very soon, anyway."
+
+"But, it seems so silly, Armand, to tell you what you yourself
+arranged."
+
+"Oh!  So I arranged for your coming!" I exclaimed.  "I suppose I also
+arranged for what you have done since you've been here."
+
+She smiled sweetly.  "Not quite all, my dear.  I've been arranging a
+few things myself, thanks to your perfidy."
+
+"We are getting away from the main point," I said.  "You were about to
+tell me why you came to Dornlitz."
+
+She arose languidly, and began to draw on her gloves.
+
+"Oh, was I?  Well, then, I've changed my mind."
+
+"I bid you good-day, Mrs. Spencer," I said, and turned away.
+
+She gave a light laugh.  "Aren't you glad to be rid of me, dear?"
+
+I faced about.
+
+"Very," I said bluntly.
+
+She put out a hand, as though to ward off a blow, and her face flushed,
+an instant.
+
+"Armand, my dear----" she began.
+
+I turned my back and walked toward the window.
+
+Then, there came the rustle of silk behind me--a soft arm was flung
+about my neck, and a tear-choked voice exclaimed:
+
+"Haven't you one kind word for me, dear?"
+
+I reached up and put her arm sharply aside.
+
+"It seems to me, madame, there has been enough of this nonsense," I
+said.  "There is no gallery here to play to, as you had in the Hanging
+Garden."
+
+She studied my face a moment--drawing her tiny lace handkerchief
+nervously from hand to hand.
+
+"I must ask you to leave my office immediately," I went on.  "If you
+decline, I shall leave and not return until you have gone."
+
+She slowly drew herself up, and stepped back.
+
+"And this is your last word to your wife?" she asked.
+
+"It is my last word to you, Mrs. Spencer," I said curtly.  "Are you
+going--or shall I?"
+
+She swept me a bit of a courtesy, smiling the while.
+
+"I am going, my dear Armand, I am going--but it is only _au revoir_."
+
+I bowed stiffly, and motioned to Moore to escort her.
+
+He swung open the door--then stopped short.  Just entering the
+ante-room, from the corridor, were the King, the Princess Royal, and
+the American Ambassador.
+
+Instantly, Mrs. Spencer drew back, and gave me a mocking smile.
+
+"I've changed my mind again, dear," she said.  "I'll make that trade of
+motives, now."
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+ANOTHER ACT IN THE PLAY
+
+I hastened to the door, saluted the King, and greeted the Princess and
+Courtney.
+
+"I am honored over much," I said--then watched their actions, as they
+saw Mrs. Spencer.
+
+Frederick stopped short, frowned, then turned to me interrogatingly.
+Courtney raised his eyebrows, bowed to Mrs. Spencer, and, then, gave me
+a quizzical smile.  Dehra flouted her enemy with one of those
+deliberately ignoring stares; then, she smiled at me, and went over and
+sat down at my desk.
+
+Meanwhile, Mrs. Spencer stood near the table; one hand resting on it,
+the other holding up her gown.  The attitude was most becoming and
+effective--and she knew it.  So far as her bearing showed, the
+situation was the most natural imaginable.  And, chancing to catch my
+eye, she actually gave me her most fetching smile.
+
+She got a stare in answer, and I turned to the King.
+
+"I have told Your Majesty of a Mrs. Spencer, who claims to be my wife,"
+I said.  "She has sought an audience with the Governor of Dornlitz, and
+demanded to know why orders have been issued that she be refused exit
+from the city.  I offered to explain, if she, on her part, would
+disclose her reasons for coming to Valeria.  She refused, and was about
+to depart, when, seeing Your Majesty, she suddenly changed her mind and
+agreed to bargain.  Have we your permission to proceed?"
+
+The King understood the situation, instantly--and I could detect a bit
+of a smile under his grey moustache.
+
+"Be seated, madame," he said.  "I am interested--unless, of course, you
+do not care for us to hear it."
+
+She dropped him a wonderful courtesy--acquired, doubtless, in her
+French Convent school.
+
+"Your Majesty is more than welcome to every word of my story," she
+answered, with ready frankness.  "The Grand Duke Armand knows it quite
+as well as I; though he affects otherwise, because it pleases him to
+pretend that I am not his wife."
+
+"My dear madame," the King said, "you are not to tell me anything.  You
+are simply graciously permitting me to be present when you carry out
+the bargain you have just made with the Governor of Dornlitz."
+
+She smiled very sweetly at the King; then, turned to me.
+
+"Will you begin, Armand," she said.
+
+I bowed.  "After you, madame," said I.  "And, perchance, when I have
+heard your story, I may revoke the order."
+
+She smiled disdainfully--then, addressed the King:
+
+"I consented to this exchange only because Your Majesty would, thus,
+hear at least some truth as to this marriage.  I confess, however, I am
+surprised that Major Dalberg permits it to be disclosed."
+
+She turned to me with affected hesitation.
+
+"Are you quite sure, Armand, you really want me to tell it?" she asked.
+
+I laughed.  "You play it very cleverly, Mrs. Spencer," I said.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders most expressively.
+
+"On your head be it, then," she answered.  Then, addressing the King,
+she went on.  "When it was determined that Major Dalberg was to be the
+American Military Attache with the Valerian Army, he told me, for the
+first time, of his kinship to Your Majesty.  On my insistent urging, he
+then decided to make a bid for your favor, to the end that you might
+acknowledge his birth and restore to him the lost estates and titles of
+his ancestor, Prince Hugo.  Apprehending, however, that Your Majesty
+would look with more kindness upon him as a bachelor than as a married
+man, it was arranged that I should remain in America.  Then, as soon as
+the scheme had either succeeded or definitely failed, I was to be sent
+for."  She turned and looked at me.  "It is rather needless to say--in
+view of Monsieur Armand's present attitude toward me--that he never
+sent for me.  But I saw the accounts, in the daily Press, of the
+wonderful story of an American Army Officer, Armand Dalberg, being, in
+truth, a Prince of Valeria; and how he had been so accepted and
+proclaimed by the King.  I waited two weeks and more--for word from my
+husband--then I came hither--and met the kind reception he gave me in
+the Hanging Garden."
+
+She paused an instant; then spoke to me:
+
+"Is there anything material that I have omitted?" she asked.
+
+"Naturally, I do not know, Mrs. Spencer," I answered; "but, judging
+from your marvellous power of--invention, I should fancy not."
+
+She turned aside the thrust with a smile.
+
+"The bargain is, now, with you, monsieur," she said.  "I await the
+explanation of your order."
+
+"It is very simple, Mrs. Spencer," I said curtly; "so simple, indeed, I
+am quite sure you guessed it, long ago."
+
+Her smile still lingered.
+
+"The bargain, sir, the bargain!"
+
+"I issued the order, madame, because you have falsely proclaimed
+yourself my wife, and I intend to confine your acting as such within
+the limits of this town.  So long as you pose as my wife you will never
+pass the gates of Dornlitz."
+
+"In other words, I am to be prisoner for life," she said.
+
+"That is for you to determine," I answered.
+
+She studied my face, a bit.
+
+"I suppose you want me to consent to a divorce," she said.
+
+"Divorce implies marriage," I answered.
+
+She shook her head and smiled tolerantly.
+
+"I really can't promise to die just to accommodate Your Highness," she
+said.
+
+I made no reply.
+
+"And that suggests the inquiry, Your Majesty," she said; "as the wife
+of the Prince Armand am I not a Grand Duchess of Valeria and a Royal
+Highness?"
+
+Surely, the woman's impudence was almost beyond belief!
+
+But the King was very courteous.
+
+"The Decree of Restoration applies only to the Grand Duke Armand," he
+said.
+
+"And I remain, simply, Mrs. Armand Dalberg?" she asked.
+
+Frederick smiled.
+
+"You remain exactly what you were before the Decree was signed," he
+said.
+
+She turned to me.
+
+"Since I am to live in Dornlitz the rest of my days, where is it your
+gracious purpose that I reside--in the Epsau Palace or where?"
+
+"Except to assure you it will not be in the Epsau, it is no concern of
+mine where you live," I answered.
+
+"Then, it will be the Hotel Metzen--and, of course, the bill will be
+sent to you."
+
+"Oh, no, it won't," I answered.
+
+"Surely!" she exclaimed, "you can't intend to hold me prisoner, and,
+then, oblige me to provide my own subsistence."
+
+"Your subsistence, Mrs. Spencer, is not my affair," I said, "since the
+length of your enforced detention in Dornlitz is optional with
+yourself."
+
+"You mean?"
+
+"I mean, that when you admit I am not and never was your husband, and
+that the marriage certificate is false, that instant you are free to
+depart."
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"I am willing to permit you to obtain a divorce," she said, "but I may
+not deny the truth of the certificate."
+
+"Very good," said I.  "I trust you will enjoy your stay in Dornlitz."
+
+She swung around toward Courtney.
+
+"You are the American Ambassador, are you not, monsieur?" she said.
+
+Courtney answered by a bow.
+
+"Then, I ask if you will suffer an American citizen to be kept prisoner
+by the Valerian authorities without trial or legal judgment?"
+
+"Not for a moment, madame," said Courtney, instantly, and with a quick
+smile at the King.
+
+"You would protest?"
+
+"Most strenuously--and so would Washington."
+
+She looked at me with a triumphant sneer.
+
+"You hear, Your Highness!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Yes," said I, "I hear."
+
+"I presume I am now at liberty to depart."
+
+"From the room?--undoubtedly," I answered.
+
+"Thank you--I mean from Dornlitz."
+
+"Whenever you will," said I; "on the terms I gave you."
+
+She turned, again, to Courtney.
+
+"I appeal to Your Excellency for protection."
+
+"Upon what basis, madame?" he asked formally.
+
+She looked surprised.
+
+"As an American subject," she said.
+
+"And under what name?" Courtney asked.
+
+"My rightful one, of course," she laughed: "Madeline Dalberg."
+
+"Wife of the Grand Duke Armand?" he went on.
+
+"Surely, monsieur--who else?"
+
+"That, madame, if you will pardon, is the material point.  As wife of a
+Valerian Prince you are a subject of His Majesty, Frederick the Third,
+and the American Government has no jurisdiction to interfere."
+
+"But, His Majesty has just said I was not comprehended in the Decree
+restoring my husband," she objected.
+
+"Of course, I can speak only according to the doctrine of the United
+States," said Courtney.  "It asks only if you are the wife of a
+foreigner.  If you are, then, his citizenship determines yours."
+
+She gave Courtney a sarcastic smile, and addressed the King.
+
+"Will Your Majesty tell me wherein the Valerian doctrine differs from
+the American?" she asked.
+
+"It is precisely similar," said Frederick.
+
+She leaned forward.  "Then, though not an Archduchess, I am,
+nevertheless, a subject of Your Majesty," she said.
+
+The King frowned.  "My dear madame," he said, "questions of citizenship
+are not presented to me, originally.  They are passed upon by the
+proper Department of my Government and reach me, only, in case of
+peculiarly extraordinary circumstances."
+
+She arose, and went close over to the King.
+
+"Your Majesty has heard me appeal for protection to the Ambassador of
+my native land and be refused, because I was no longer an American
+citizen," she began.  "And you, yourself, have practically admitted he
+was correct, and that I am a Valerian subject.  Therefore, I demand
+that freedom of action which is granted to all your citizens, and that
+the order of the Governor of Dornlitz be revoked."
+
+Frederick looked at her sternly for a moment.
+
+"Pray be seated, madame," he said; "and permit me to observe that, if
+you are my subject, your manner of address is scarcely respectful to
+your King."
+
+"I do not desire to be disrespectful," she replied; "but, if I am your
+subject, I have the undoubted right to the protection of your laws.  I
+ask Your Majesty if I am receiving that protection?  I ask Your Majesty
+if those laws permit one, unaccused of any crime or wrong-doing, to be
+held prisoner within the limits of a town?  I ask Your Majesty if those
+laws sanction such an order as your Governor, yonder, has made
+respecting me?"
+
+There was just the proper touch of dignified indignation and feminine
+pathos.  Indeed, I never saw this rather remarkable woman act her part
+better than in that short speech.
+
+The King looked at her, for a bit, in silence--though, whether he was
+admiring her as a beautiful woman or as an artistic impersonator, I
+could not make out.  Doubtless, it was something of both.
+
+"As simple abstract propositions, my dear madame," he said, presently,
+"your questions, as put, are entitled to negative replies.  But, when
+they are applied to the actual facts in the case, as just given by you,
+there is a vast difference.  If you are the lawfully wedded wife of the
+Grand Duke Armand, there is nothing illegal in the order you complain
+of.  In Valeria, the husband has lawful authority, upon proper cause,
+to restrain his wife within even smaller limits than are prescribed for
+you."
+
+"But, where, in my case, is there any proper cause?" she demanded.
+"Besides, he avers I am not his wife--therefore, he can have no
+authority over me."
+
+The King smiled.  "My dear madame, you forget that it is you who insist
+upon submitting yourself to his authority."
+
+"That may be, Sire; yet, I appeal to your sense of fairness.  Should he
+be permitted to exercise a husband's authority to imprison me, and, at
+the same time, deny that he is my husband?"
+
+Of course, theoretically, she was in the right.  My action was, in that
+particular, utterly inconsistent with my position and protestations.
+For a moment, I was a trifle uneasy as to the King's answer.
+
+But he brushed it lightly aside.
+
+"The circumstances of the case are so extraordinary, madame, that I
+fear it cannot well be judged by the usual standard."
+
+She smiled very sweetly.  "Which means that I am to be held to the
+strict obligations of my position, but that the Grand Duke Armand can
+perpetrate any inconsistency he choose."
+
+The King smiled back at her.  "I do not doubt that His Royal Highness
+will be most happy to be relieved of the necessity for being
+inconsistent," he said.
+
+"Good!" she exclaimed.  "I am ready to leave Dornlitz and Valeria this
+very day."
+
+The King turned to me, interrogatingly.
+
+"Then, you admit you are not Madeline Dalberg?" I asked.
+
+"On the contrary, I re-affirm it; but, I offer you a divorce."
+
+I shrugged my shoulders and made no reply.
+
+"You see, Sire," she said, "how reasonable he is.  He condescends to be
+consistent only if, by forcing me to perjure myself, he can further
+his--schemes"--and she deliberately turned and looked at the Princess.
+
+I stepped quickly between them.
+
+She laughed scornfully.
+
+"How like you, Armand," she said.  "It's only a short while since you
+were just as thoughtful for me."
+
+I was too angry to reply, but she could read my thoughts in my eyes.
+And she answered them with a taunting smile and a toss of her head.
+
+So there was silence, for a space; then, she spoke to Courtney:
+
+"I understand.  Your Excellency refuses me your protection because I am
+a Valerian subject?"
+
+Courtney bowed.
+
+"Made so by your own statements," he answered.
+
+"And Your Majesty refuses to interfere between the Governor of Dornlitz
+and me, because, as his wife, I am subject to his authority?"
+
+"In effect, yes," said Frederick.
+
+"And you, my Lord Armand, declare that I am not your wife and,
+therefore, that I am an American subject?"
+
+"I think, Mrs. Spencer, we have gone over that matter _ad nauseam_," I
+said.
+
+"I grant you the nauseousness," she retorted.
+
+"A bare-faced lie may not be over chary as to the defence it provokes,"
+I answered.
+
+She gathered up her skirts, and turned toward the door.
+
+"What a pretty sight you three are," she sneered.  "A King, an
+Ambassador and a Royal Archduke playing with one poor woman like cats
+with a mouse.  Truly, sirs, you should have lived three hundred years
+ago.  You would have shown rare skill in the torture chambers of the
+Holy Inquisition."
+
+"'Pon my soul, madame!" Frederick exclaimed, "I'm glad to hear a frank
+opinion of myself.  It's a privilege that rarely comes to a King."
+
+"More's the pity for the King," she replied.  "And more's the shame for
+his selfish advisers," and she looked at Courtney, and, then, at me.
+
+"Have I Your Majesty's permission to depart--to my hotel?" she ended.
+
+The King nodded, without replying.
+
+She swept him another of those wonderful curtsies; then turned to
+Moore, who swung back the door for her.
+
+At the threshold she looked back and smiled at me.
+
+"_Au revoir_, Armand, dear, _au revoir_," she said almost caressingly;
+"you will come back to me soon, I know."
+
+Before I could frame an answer she was gone.
+
+
+
+
+XIX
+
+MY COUSIN, THE DUKE
+
+For the next few weeks, matters went along without any particular
+incident.  The snarl, in which I was entangled, showed no signs of
+unravelling, and my marriage to the Princess and the Royal succession
+seemed farther away than ever.
+
+The investigations, in the United States, had yielded nothing of any
+utility.  Indeed, they had been practically barren, for they had told
+me little more than Courtney's cablegram.
+
+Edwards, the witness named in the certificate, had not been located,
+though New York had been scraped as with a fine-tooth comb; so, it was
+safe to assume his existence was only on paper and in Alderman
+McGuire's brain.
+
+The movements of Madeline Spencer had been very difficult to trace, as
+was entirely natural--for what hotel servant would remember, weeks
+after, the doings of a woman guest, whose life had been at all regular.
+All that could be ascertained, definitely, was that she had sailed from
+New York ten days prior to her arrival at Dornlitz; and that she had
+registered as Mrs. Armand Dalberg at the Waldorf a week before sailing;
+her luggage having been checked there from Philadelphia.  The
+floor-clerk and some of the pages recalled her very readily, and were
+rather positive that they had not seen any foreigner with her, who
+resembled a Valerian.
+
+That was about the extent of the detectives' discoveries; for
+Philadelphia yielded absolutely nothing, beyond the fact that she had
+been at one of the Broad Street hotels, for a fortnight, prior to
+coming to New York; and, before that, in Pittsburgh, Washington, and
+New York; the last corresponding, in date, to my interview with her,
+there, in December.  At none of these places, could any traces be
+discovered of an emissary of Lotzen.
+
+Nor did the investigations at this end, conducted for me by Courtney's
+secret agents, yield anything more satisfactory.  During the period, in
+question, the Duke had not been away from the Capital for over three
+days at any one time, and none of his suite had been absent longer than
+a week.  Nevertheless, I was none the less positive that there had been
+some sort of communication between Madeline Spencer, in America, and
+the Duke of Lotzen, in Valeria, in response to which she was here.
+
+So, it seemed Courtney was correct, as usual.  He had predicted that
+nothing would be found by the detectives; because, as he said, it was
+just a case in which all tracks would be most effectively covered by
+doing everything in the most ordinary way--and, apparently, that was
+just what had been done.
+
+There seemed to be nothing but to cultivate patience and settle down to
+wait for someone to blunder, or for the lady to get tired of her
+enforced residence in Dornlitz, and begin to get restless, and do
+something which would give us a clue to work on.
+
+She had retained her apartments at the Hotel Metzen--the management
+having, however, addressed me as to my pleasure, in the matter--and, at
+least, once every day, she had sought to pass some one of the City
+gates; and, when refused, would then demand exit as the wife of the
+Grand Duke Armand.
+
+She drove and rode and walked about the town the cynosure of all
+eyes--and some of them of admiring men, who would have been very ready,
+doubtless, to start a flirtation; both for their own pleasure and in
+the hope of gaining my good will by discrediting her.
+
+But, she would have none of them, and went her way with the serene
+blindness of an honest woman.
+
+In the hotel, she bore herself with the quiet dignity and reserve
+suitable to her assumed position.  With the guests, particularly
+Americans, she was frankly gracious and friendly; but, it was evident,
+she sought no sympathy and wanted no confidants.
+
+All these details came to me in the reports of the Secret Police.  I
+saw her very frequently on the street; passing her both on the sidewalk
+and on horseback.  And if she were pining for the newly wedded husband,
+who had forsaken and denied her, she most assuredly did not show it.
+Nor did her impudence diminish.  Whenever she saw me she tried to catch
+my eye.  Several times it happened she was watching me when I first
+observed her; then, like a flash, she would bow and smile with the air
+of the most intimate camaraderie.
+
+Of course, I pointedly ignored her, but it had no effect; for the next
+time her greeting was only the more effusively intimate.  Naturally,
+the people stared.  I felt sure they winked at one another knowingly,
+when my back was turned.  The whole situation was intensely irritating
+and growing more so every day; and my patience, never long at best,
+must have been a trifle uncertain for those around me.
+
+I think I am not an unjust man, by nature; but some provocations would
+make even the best tempers quick and squally.  And, then, what is the
+good of being an Archduke, if one may not flare out occasionally!
+
+I was a bit lonely, too.  The King was in the North and the Princess
+was with him--and so, for a time, was Lotzen, I happened to know;
+though I understood he had, now, left them and was returning to
+Dornlitz.  I wished him a long journey and a slow one.
+
+His suave courtesy was becoming unbearable; and my sorest trial was to
+receive it calmly and to meet it in kind.  Truly, if he had found a
+brilliant leading woman in Madeline Spencer, he had an equally
+brilliant leading man in himself.
+
+I was no possible match for him; and I could feel the sneer behind his
+smile.  I wanted to give him a good body beating--and I was sure he
+knew it, and that it only amused him.  I could, now, quite understand
+the rage which makes a man walk up to another and smash him in the face
+without a word of preliminary.  I would have given five years of life
+to do that to Lotzen.
+
+And, instead, I had to smile--and smile--and smile.  Bah! it makes me
+shiver.
+
+He must have fancied I wished him a long absence, for he returned with
+astonishing promptness.  I saw him the next afternoon in the Officers'
+Club--and our greeting was almost effusive.  In fact, if anything were
+required to prove how intensely we despised each other, this
+demonstrative cordiality supplied it.  It was so hollow it fairly
+resounded with derision.
+
+"I'll ride over to Headquarters with you," he said.
+
+"I'm walking," I answered.
+
+"Good, I'll walk, too," he replied.
+
+So, we set out--the orderly following with the Duke's horse.
+
+"When did you come in?" I asked--knowing perfectly well the very hour
+of his arrival.
+
+"Last night, on the Express from the North," he answered--knowing that
+I already knew it.
+
+"Had a good time, of course?" I remarked.
+
+"Delightful--we wished for you."
+
+"It's astonishing how kind you all are to the stranger," I said.
+
+He shot a quick glance at me.
+
+"We don't regard you as a stranger, my dear cousin," he protested.
+
+"I believe you," said I.  "Judged by the way His Majesty and the
+Princess, and you have treated me, the heir of Hugo might never have
+lived beyond the Kingdom."
+
+This brought another look.
+
+"The Dalbergs don't do things by halves," he answered.
+
+"So I have noticed, cousin.  I only trust I can live up to it."
+
+He laughed.  "You promise very well, Armand, very well, indeed."
+
+"I am glad," I answered.
+
+When we reached Headquarters, I suggested that he come up to my office
+and smoke a cigar.  I thought he would decline.  But, there, I erred.
+
+"Thanks," said he, "I'll join you as soon as I've registered," and he
+turned down the corridor toward the Adjutant General's office.
+
+On my desk was a wire from the Princess.  She and the King would reach
+Dornlitz the next morning and I was expected to lunch at the Palace.  I
+dispatched an answer that would meet the Royal train en route, and
+thought of Lotzen with indifference--almost.
+
+When he came, I was going through a batch of papers which had just been
+brought in for my signature.
+
+"Don't let me disturb you," he said heartily.  "Finish the miserable
+red tape."
+
+I nodded.
+
+He chose a cigar and, having lighted it, with the careful attention he
+seemed to give to the smallest matters, he sauntered to the window that
+overlooked the Avenue.
+
+Presently, he glanced around at me.
+
+I went on with my work.
+
+Then he glanced again.
+
+I signed the last of the papers, pushed them aside and arose.
+
+"Mrs. Spencer is about to pass," he said.
+
+"I trust so," said I.  "I'm sure I've no desire for her to stop."
+
+Then, suddenly, he frowned--and made a short bow.
+
+"She had the impudence to speak to me," he said.
+
+I smiled and made no comment.  For the life of me, I could not
+determine if his surprise were natural or assumed.
+
+He crossed to a front window and watched her out of sight.
+
+"There is no discounting her beauty," he remarked.
+
+I was silent.
+
+He came over, and dropped into a chair on the other side of the table.
+It was just where Mrs. Spencer had sat, and, so, a very fit place for
+him.
+
+"She must be a most extraordinary woman," he observed.
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"Yet, what I can't understand, is what she hopes to gain by
+masquerading, here, as your wife."
+
+I looked at him and waited.  He was steering into strange waters, it
+seemed to me.
+
+"Now, if she had done it in Paris, or Vienna, or any place outside of
+Valeria," he went on, "one could see the temporary profit of it.  But,
+to come to Dornlitz and dare it under your very nose!"--he flung up his
+hands.  "She is a bit too much for me!"
+
+I saw his drift, now.  He wanted to know if I suspected him; and, to
+that end, was quite willing to match his wit against mine.  His
+contempt for my discernment was not, especially, flattering; but,
+sometimes, it does no harm to be taken for a fool--if one is not.  And
+I was conceited enough to consider myself the latter.  Which, however,
+may only have proven that Lotzen was right.
+
+"And for me, too, at present," I answered.
+
+"At present?" he echoed, blowing a succession of smoke rings and
+watching them float away.
+
+I nodded.  "She will get tired of the game, presently, and quit."
+
+"She has stuck to it rather persistently," he observed; "and crossed
+the seas to play it."
+
+"Yes," said I, "she did just that; yet she is none the less liable to
+quit abruptly to-morrow."
+
+That would interest him, I thought.  It did.
+
+"You are judging from experience?" he asked, rather quickly.
+
+"I've known the lady for a few years," I laughed, "and I've yet to find
+her true either to herself or to the hand that paid her."
+
+It was characteristic of the man that, at these last words, he made no
+quick glance at my face.  Instead, he studied the end of his cigar.
+When he did look at me, it was in the perfectly natural way of asking a
+question.
+
+Then I got a start.  He suddenly struck straight from the shoulder.
+
+"By 'the hand that paid her,' you mean?" he asked--and now, his eyes
+were fairly drilling into mine.
+
+I took on a look of surprise.
+
+"What does it usually mean?" I answered, with a bit of a shrug.
+
+He either had to appear to accept the inference in this answer or else
+ask me blankly if I meant that Mrs. Spencer was in his employ.  He
+chose the former.
+
+"It is very difficult to associate such a beautiful woman with the
+_demi-monde_," he said.
+
+"Yet, Saint Anthony would stand no chance with her."
+
+He looked at me with an amused smile.
+
+"I assume you lay no claims to even ordinary saintship?"
+
+"None, whatever, my dear Duke."
+
+"Possibly, you avoided situations which might put you to the test?"
+
+"Possibly," I laughed.
+
+"You are more of a Saint than you imagine," he answered.
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"Colonel Spencer was my friend," I said.
+
+"And his wife--and widow would have been--yours--and you would not;
+_n'est ce pas_?"
+
+I smiled.
+
+"So, that's the motive for it, is it.  'Hell hath no fury like a woman
+scorned,'" he quoted.  It was meant as a question, however.
+
+I appeared to hesitate.
+
+"Revenge, sometimes, does take queer forms," I said tentatively.
+
+"And you, too, think this is revenge?" he asked.
+
+"What other motive could she have?" I answered.
+
+He closed his eyes, a moment; lest, I suppose, his amused contempt
+would shine out so plainly that even stupid I would see it.  He was
+sure, now, he had been right in deeming me too heavy-witted to suspect
+him.
+
+"It might be blackmail," he suggested.
+
+"Then, she is a very long time in naming her price," I replied.
+
+"True; but, maybe, she is enjoying Dornlitz," he laughed.
+
+I laughed, too.
+
+"It's none of my business, of course, Armand," he went on, "but, why
+don't you run her out of the Kingdom, instead of keeping her in by
+force."
+
+"I'm waiting for her to get tired of the game and quit."
+
+He thought a bit.
+
+"Maybe, I can help you," he said.
+
+I had not Lotzen's gift of imperturbability but I did my best not to
+show my surprise.
+
+"You are very kind," I answered; "though I don't see what you can do."
+
+"I may take it you have no particular--regard for the lady?" he asked.
+
+"Indeed, you may!"
+
+"So you would have no objection to someone making a--try at her?"
+
+"None whatever, I assure you.  As many someones and as many tries as
+you wish--and may they all win."
+
+"Now, you're a trifle too generous," said he.  "I've taken rather a shy
+at her myself and--you understand?"
+
+I thought I did--but not as he meant me to.  What he wanted was liberty
+to communicate, at will, directly with the lady, without arousing
+suspicion or seeming to side against me.
+
+I shut one eye, and looked at him as though in sly comprehension.
+
+"But, how will that help me?" I asked.
+
+"In this way," said he.  "You think she is tired of her game and about
+ready to quit.  I come along; and she tosses you over and seizes the
+new prey.  I'll tell her plainly she cannot have me so long as there is
+any question about her being your wife."
+
+"But, won't it raise a nasty scandal?" I objected.
+
+"Not a bit," he said, with a knowing smile.  "We have ways to do such
+things, you know.  I have a Chateau near the French Border--the lady
+leaves for Paris--and goes by way of the Chateau.  _Comprenez vous_?"
+
+I wanted to laugh in his face.  What a charming scheme to get Mrs.
+Spencer out of the Kingdom!
+
+"But, suppose," said I, "she cuts the Chateau and keeps right on to
+Paris?"
+
+"Trust me, my dear Marshal, she won't cut the Chateau.  I shall be with
+her when she leaves Dornlitz."
+
+"I know the lady," said I.  "I'm afraid to risk it."
+
+He tossed aside his cigar and lit a fresh one.  "Very well, cousin," he
+said, with an air of good-natured indifference.  "It's your affair, of
+course.  I only wanted to aid you in any way I could.  You're the best
+judge, however, how to handle the matter.  If you need me, I am yours
+to command."
+
+"My dear Duke," I said, "I realize your friendly spirit and I want you
+to know I appreciate it; and I shall not hesitate to call on you if the
+occasion arise."
+
+He flung his cape around him and hooked up his sword.
+
+"And, in the meantime, do I understand that I am to keep severely away
+from the lady?"
+
+I hesitated.  Of course his point was to obtain from me direct
+authority for him to visit her.  The very fact that he wanted it was a
+sufficient reason for refusing; but, on the other hand, so long as he
+thought himself unsuspected, it might not be a bad move to give him the
+opportunity.  It would increase the chances for them to make a blunder.
+I determined to risk it.
+
+"The only restriction, touching Mrs. Spencer, is the order of the
+Military Governor," I answered.  "If you can induce her to acknowledge
+the falsity of that certificate, she shall be free to resume her
+journey to the Devil, _via_ your Chateau, and joy go with her."
+
+He flung back his head and laughed heartily.
+
+"A trifle hard on my Chateau, cousin, to locate it on the road to Hell.
+But we will let it pass.  For, between us, it is a good road and an
+easy; and they, who travel it, are a finer lot than the superstitious
+dreamers who grope, in darkness, along the bleak and stony path they
+fancy leads upward to the Light."
+
+"You mistook my meaning," I said.  "It's not for me to criticise
+another's chosen road, whether it be the rough one or the smooth.
+There are no hand boards at the forking, and only a blind fall at the
+end of each.  It's all a guess; and, so far as I know, one road is as
+good as another."
+
+He looked at me, rather curiously.  "Which road do you travel, cousin?"
+he asked.
+
+"Neither, by intention," I answered.  "I am still at the Forks."
+
+He laughed, rather sarcastically.  "Well, when you leave them, if you
+chance to come my way, the Chateau is at your disposal.  Meanwhile,
+I'll endeavor to steer Madame Spencer, alias Dalberg, toward it."
+
+I could feel the deliberate sneer, but it was too well veiled to
+resent, openly.
+
+"At least, don't expect me as a guest while she is there," I replied.
+
+"I don't imagine I would want you, then," said he.  He went over to the
+door; then returned and, leaning on the back of a chair, looked at me
+thoughtfully.
+
+"What now?" I wondered--and waited.
+
+"There is a matter, cousin," he began, "which has been on my mind
+lately--and this may be as good a time as any to take it up."
+
+I nodded.  "Go ahead--we are in the humor for confidences, this
+afternoon, it seems."
+
+"And for plain speaking?" he asked.
+
+"Between men I'm always for that," said I.  "It's the safest in the
+end."
+
+"Exactly my opinion.  I am glad to have one of your experience and
+discretion agree with it," he answered.
+
+It seemed to give him the keenest pleasure to sneer at me, to my very
+face, with compliments he thought I would take seriously.  And, in
+truth, I think I was beginning to enjoy it as much as he.
+
+"You are a bit old for your age, my dear Duke," I said.
+
+"But I have much to learn," he said modestly.
+
+"It will all come in time, cousin," I answered patronizingly.
+
+He dropped his head an instant--to hide his smiles, I knew.
+
+"A charming afternoon," he said.  "Confidences--compliments--and plain
+speaking.  We are making rare progress, cousin mine."
+
+"And, why not?" I asked.
+
+"Surely," he exclaimed, heartily, "surely--why not?"  Then he paused.
+"And, now, for the plain speaking."
+
+"Good," said I; "drive ahead; and make it as plain as you like."
+
+"I'll do it," he said.  "What I want to know is: First--do you intend
+to try to displace me in the Line of Succession?  And, second--are you
+a suitor for the hand of the Princess Royal?"
+
+It would have been impossible to hide my surprise, so I made no effort.
+Surely, this man's methods were almost beyond comprehension!
+
+"My dear Duke," I replied, "your questions are plain, and a plain
+answer will do for both--it is none of your business."
+
+He laughed.  "By which I infer you decline to answer."
+
+"Precisely!"
+
+He tossed away his cigar and slowly lit another.
+
+"Of course, Armand, that is your privilege; but, then, you must pardon
+the further inference that to decline to answer is, really, to answer
+in the affirmative."
+
+"You are responsible for your inferences, not I," I replied curtly.
+
+He leaned a bit forward.  "Let us take up my first question," he said.
+"Have you ever considered what you were likely to encounter if you
+undertook to filch the Crown?"
+
+"Filch?" I interrupted.
+
+"Steal, then, if you prefer.  I forgot we were to use plain terms."
+
+"Very true," said I.  "Proceed."
+
+"Do you think that I, who have been the Heir Presumptive since the
+instant of my birth, almost, will calmly step aside and permit you to
+take my place?"
+
+I looked at him, indifferently, and made no answer.
+
+"Do you fancy, for an instant," he went on, "that the people of Valeria
+would have a foreigner for King?"
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.
+
+"And even if old Frederick were to become so infatuated with you that
+he would restore you to Hugo's place in the Line of Succession, do you
+imagine, that the House of Nobles would hesitate to annul it the
+instant he died?"
+
+From the written words, one might well infer that he spoke loudly and
+in open anger; whereas, in fact, his face was smiling and his voice was
+even more soft than usual.  It behooved me to meet him in kind.
+
+"As you seem to have been doing my thinking, cousin, perhaps you have
+also thought out my answers.  If you have, I shall be glad to hear
+them; it will save me the labor of thinking them out for myself."
+
+His smile broadened.  "The only labor I can promise to save you,
+cousin, is that of being King."
+
+"I fear it is a bit early for me to choose my Prime Minister," I said.
+
+His smile became a laugh.  "Let us pass to my second question.  It,
+however, demands no thinking.  There is ample evidence of your
+intention as to the Princess."
+
+"Then, why ask it?" I inquired.
+
+"Because, of her intention toward you, I am not so sure--but, women are
+queer creatures and prone to take queer crotchets.  You aim to marry
+her; and so, having won the King and stolen my birth-right, to use her
+popularity to secure you on the Throne.  You see, all roads lead to the
+Throne."
+
+"All roads which His Highness of Lotzen travels," I observed.
+
+He tilted back the chair; then let it drop sharply forward to the floor.
+
+"Just so, cousin, just so," he said.
+
+"And one of those roads passes by your Chateau?" I asked.
+
+For an instant, he seemed to suspect my true meaning, and I regretted
+the word.  Then the suspicion faded and he accepted them at their face
+value.
+
+"Morals have nothing to do with a King," he laughed; "nor with the
+subject under consideration."
+
+"Apropos of the latter," said I, "I suppose I am very stupid, but I
+don't quite understand why, if you feel so about the Princess, you
+offered to aid me in getting rid of Mrs. Spencer."
+
+"Pure selfishness, cousin.  I have taken a liking to the Lady, myself."
+
+"Then, at least, I may thank you for your selfishness," I sneered.
+
+He smiled; then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him.
+
+"Come, Armand," he said, "I must be going.  Will you condescend to
+answer?"
+
+I arose.
+
+"You won't?  Well, it's not really necessary--but, have you a dice box
+handy?"
+
+"I have not."
+
+"A pack of cards, then?"
+
+"No."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "Take my advice and get them--you are far,
+very far, out of the fashion, cousin mine.  However, this will serve,
+though it's rather low class," and he took out a gold coin and rang it
+on the table.  "You were an American officer and, I understand, they
+are as game a lot of men as wear swords.  Will you bear that out and
+try a toss with me?"
+
+"And the wager?" I asked.
+
+He slowly drew the chair backward; but, instead of dropping it with a
+crash, he leaned far over it toward me and said, very slowly.
+
+"Two tosses and two wagers.  The first, for the Princess; the second,
+for the Crown."
+
+I waited a moment until I could control my voice.
+
+"It will give me the most intense pleasure, my dear Duke," said I, "to
+toss you--not with yonder coin but out of yonder window.  I fancy a
+second toss would not be necessary; but, if it were, I could do it with
+as much pleasure as the first."
+
+Lotzen's face got crimson; then, gradually paled--like red-hot iron
+passing to a white heat.  He let the chair fall slowly into place; and
+so easily that I could not hear the feet strike the floor.
+
+So, for a space, we stood at gaze.  Then he spoke; and I marvelled at
+the continued calmness of his voice.
+
+"You are my superior officer, so I may not strike you nor draw against
+you.  But you will, I trust, pardon me, my dear cousin, if I tell you
+that you are a snivelling coward."
+
+"Pray, don't hide behind my temporary rank," I answered hotly.  "I
+waive it, gladly.  Anything, for a chance to puncture that rotten
+carcass of yours or to get a good fair crack at your smooth face."
+
+It was a foolish speech.  I knew it the moment it was out.  But I never
+had acquired self-restraint when aggravated by those I disliked--and I
+despised Lotzen.  Possibly, he had far better ground for despising me.
+Had our positions been reversed, I am quite sure I would have viewed
+him much as he did me--a foreigner--an interloper--a scheming
+usurper--a thief.
+
+My explosion seemed to calm the Duke.  He looked at me, intently, for a
+moment; then bowed gravely.
+
+"I beg Your Highness's pardon," he said; "you are not a coward."
+
+I might not be outdone, so I bowed back at him.  "Thank you," said I;
+"and I also beg your pardon and withdraw my adjectives."
+
+"_Merci_, Your Highness," he answered.  "Let us consider the matter
+closed?"
+
+"With pleasure," said I.
+
+"And I shall hope to have the honor of crossing swords--foils, I mean,
+with you, some day," he said meaningly.
+
+"The hope is intensely mutual, my dear Duke," I answered.
+
+He drew himself up to attention and saluted stiffly.  I returned it in
+kind.
+
+"And, with Your Highness's permission," I said, "I shall ask you to
+refrain from communicating with Mrs. Spencer.  I appreciate your offer
+but, upon second thought, I doubt the wisdom of it."
+
+"As you wish, monsieur," said he; "as you wish."
+
+
+
+
+XX
+
+A TRICK OF FENCE
+
+After Lotzen had gone, and I was able to do a bit of reflecting, I was
+pretty well convinced that he had got about as much out of me as I had
+out of him.  Of course, our mutual distrust and dislike were now openly
+avowed; but we had known it quite as well before--just as he had been
+aware of my designs on the Crown and my partiality for the Princess,
+and, I, of his purpose to defeat me for both.  He had, to use a
+military term, made a reconnoissance in force; and I had tried to meet
+him in kind and to prevent him uncovering my exact position.  How well
+I had succeeded, however, was very problematical; for I could not know
+what particular information he sought.  I was satisfied, however, his
+main purpose was to discover whether I had any knowledge or suspicion
+of him being back of Madeline Spencer.  And I was not so sure I had
+bluffed him.  I began to fancy he had seen through me, at once, and had
+played me off against myself, so to speak.  And, the longer I
+meditated, the more the fancy gripped me.  Finally, in disgust, I
+summoned Bernheim and Moore.
+
+"Which of you," said I, "will do me the favor of a few passes with the
+foils?"
+
+Of course, they both offered.
+
+"Good," said I; "I'll take you, in turn.  Send an orderly to the armory
+for the paraphernalia."
+
+I fell to divesting myself of my upper garments, and Bernheim and Moore
+followed suit.
+
+"By the way," I said, "what sort of a fencer is Lotzen?"
+
+Bernheim turned and looked at me, sharply.  Moore stopped with his
+shirt half off and did the same.
+
+"There is only one better in Valeria," said Bernheim.
+
+"So!" said I.  "And he?"
+
+The grey eyes twinkled and he actually smiled as he answered.
+
+"Colonel Moore, of Your Highness's Personal Staff."
+
+It was my turn to be surprised.  "Then, he is a very modest gentleman,"
+I said.
+
+"Like master like man," was the ready Irish reply.
+
+"You're a sad blarneyer," I laughed.  "You will be letting me disarm
+you, next."
+
+"No I won't, sir, voluntarily," he answered.  "You are not the Lotzen
+sort."
+
+"You have fenced with him?"
+
+"Frequently."
+
+"And disarmed him?"
+
+I saw Bernheim smile.
+
+"Yes, once--the first time we engaged.  He has disliked me ever since."
+
+"I am rather astonished at you," I said; "where was your finesse?"
+
+"It was quite unintentional.  He tried to work a _coup_ that is very
+little known.  Instead of the regular defence I used one I had myself
+developed--and which ends in a wrench.  I gave it a bit too vigorously
+and the Duke dropped his foil."
+
+Bernheim gave a gruff laugh.  "Dropped it!" he exclaimed.  "Aye, and so
+lightly it flew twenty feet and hit the wall near the roof."
+
+"I think," said I, "I would like to know that _coup_ and its defences."
+
+"They are yours, sir," he said.  "But I am at a loss where Lotzen got
+the attack.  It isn't known to six persons in Europe--even among the
+_maitres_."
+
+"And your own defence?"
+
+"Is, I am sure, known to me, alone.  The man, with whom I worked it
+out, died a week after it was perfected."
+
+"But, you have fenced with Lotzen frequently since then, you say?"
+
+"Many times, sir."
+
+"Hasn't he invariably used that particular attack?"
+
+"And been met always by the regular defence.  I took no chances on his
+discovering the secret.  I am confident he thinks, now, I disarmed him
+by a mere accident."
+
+"I suppose you let him score on you occasionally?" I said.
+
+Moore shook his head.  "Never, unless it were the very limit of his
+reach.  I don't trust him--sometimes, buttons are lost from foils.  I
+try to be very diplomatic by touching him very infrequently.  Though I
+rather think it is pearls before swine; for he is too good a fencer not
+to see I am sparing him, and too jealously vindictive to appreciate my
+courtesy."
+
+I picked up a foil and made it whistle through the air.
+
+"Come, Colonel Bernheim," I said, "I am at your service.  Shall we use
+the masks?"
+
+"For Your Highness's sake, yes," he answered.  "I'm apt to be a trifle
+wild at times."
+
+There was nothing especially graceful about my senior Aide; and,
+besides being past the prime of life, he was of a rather bulky
+tallness, stolid and phlegmatic.  I could readily imagine his style,
+and a very few passes confirmed it.  He was of the ordinary type and I
+could have run him through without the least effort.  As it was, I
+touched him, presently, once on each arm--then disengaged and saluted.
+
+"I thank Your Highness," he said; "it could just as well have been my
+heart and throat a dozen times."
+
+"I am younger and more active," I explained.
+
+But he smiled it down.  "I am not sensitive, sir.  Besides, it gives me
+joy."
+
+I supposed he was thinking of Lotzen.
+
+After a short rest, Moore and I faced each other.
+
+"Let us cut the parades," I said--and Bernheim gave the word to engage.
+
+Without conceit I can say that I am more than moderately skillful with
+the sword.  It is, possibly, the one hobby of my life.  My father and
+grandfather before me were strong fencers, and one of my earliest
+recollections is being given a toy foil and put through the parades.
+There is a saying that "a swordsman is born not made," and it is a true
+one.  But, unless there is hard study and training from childhood, the
+birth gift is wasted and there is only a made-fencer in the end.  My
+good sire had appreciated this fact, and not only gave me the best
+instructors obtainable in America, but, in my second year's vacation
+from "The Point," he took me to Paris and kept me hard at work under
+the best French _maitres_.  From that time on, I had practiced
+assiduously, and spending all my leaves in Europe and fencing in all
+the best schools of the Continent.
+
+Our blades had little more than crossed when I knew that it would take
+all my skill to hold my own, even for a short time.  Moore was, far and
+away, the best fencer I had ever encountered; and I thought I had faced
+about all the famous ones of first force.  His agility was amazing; his
+wrist like steel; his anticipation masterly.  For every time I touched
+him, he touched me twice; though none, on either side, would have been
+more than a scratch.  Then, in the midst of a fierce rally, I forced a
+pretty opening and I thrust.  No guard seemed possible--it was a sure
+_coeur_.  The next instant, there came a wrench, that almost tore off
+my fingers, and my foil flew across the room.  Moore had led me into
+the final position of Lotzen's attack, and had disarmed me exactly as
+he had the Duke.
+
+I held out my left hand to him--the right still tingled.
+
+"Beautiful!" I said.  "It's a marvellous defence and marvellously done."
+
+Moore bowed very low over my hand.  "It is a pleasure to serve under
+Your Highness," he said.
+
+"Aye! that it is," said Bernheim.
+
+He would be a very queer individual who would not be affected by such
+sincerity; and I told them so, and feelingly.
+
+Then Moore showed me the attack and its two defences; and I practiced
+them with him until I had them perfectly at command.
+
+"What would be my chances against Lotzen?" I asked.
+
+"You could kill him easily," said Moore.  "Only, be careful of his play
+in tierce; he is very strong in that."
+
+"I don't know that I want to kill him," I said.  "Yet, neither do I
+care for him to kill me."
+
+Both looked at me in quick interrogation.  I motioned for them to sit
+down.
+
+"I've had a visit from the Duke, this afternoon," I said.  And I told
+them the entire interview.
+
+Bernheim smiled sourly, when I had ended.
+
+"You may have good use, sir, for that trick of fence," he said.
+"Lotzen means mischief and that promptly."
+
+"Evidently, his visit with His Majesty and the Princess was not to his
+satisfaction," Moore remarked; "and, if Your Highness can ascertain
+just what did occur there, I'll wager it will account for his conduct
+to-day."
+
+"And it would be just as well for Your Highness to wear a steel vest,"
+said Bernheim; "it's very handy to turn a knife or a revolver bullet."
+
+I laughed,  "Of course, steel vests are such ordinary articles of
+attire they can be purchased in any shop."
+
+"I'll supply the vest," he answered, "if Your Highness will use it."
+
+"It seems absurd," I declared.
+
+"It's a wise precaution, sir," Moore urged.
+
+"One might suppose we were back in the days or the Guises," I said.
+"However, bring your coat of mail around to-night and I'll look it
+over.  But, I warn you, it will have to be a very snug fit."
+
+"I will answer for that, also," said Bernheim.
+
+Later in the afternoon, I rode over to the Field of Mars--a huge piece
+of ground on the Lake front--for the evening parade of the Cuirassiers
+of the Guard.  This was their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and
+on every one of them it had been the unbroken custom for the then
+governor of Dornlitz to be present and pass the Regiment in
+Review--saving, of course, in war-time, when it chanced to be in active
+service in the field.
+
+The crowd of spectators was enormous.  The Valerians seem to have a
+genuine love for their Army--largely, I fancy, because the Army is not
+permitted to tyrannize over the citizen.  Because a man wore the King's
+uniform gave him no privilege to insult or to maltreat those who did
+not; and conferred no immunity from proper and adequate punishment if
+he did.  The Dalberg principle is similar to the American; that the
+Army is the guardian of the civilian, not his oppressor; and that its
+business is to protect not to browbeat.  For generations, it has been
+instilled into the Valerian soldier that his uniform could be smirched
+only by himself--and stern, indeed, was the judgment of him who
+ventured to think and do otherwise.  For an officer to strike a
+civilian without just cause meant to be cashiered; and to kill one,
+save as justified by the civil law, meant to be hung as a common felon.
+I had seen enough of the other Continental Armies to be very proud of
+the Army of Valeria.
+
+It was a pretty sight--the long line of white uniformed Cuirassiers in
+burnished corselets and black-plumed helmets; with the Lake for a
+background, and rank on rank of spectators on either side.  In front,
+were the carriages of the Aristocracy of the Capital; and, as I
+galloped down to take post after the review, I could not but wonder how
+many of all that crowd regarded me with a friendly eye.  Behind me
+clattered a brilliant Staff, and in my hand was the Baton of a Marshal,
+yet, never in my life, had I felt so utterly alone as at that moment.
+And Lotzen's recent sneer, that I could hope to hold the Crown only if
+the Princess Dehra were my Queen, struck me in all its truth.  Surely,
+it was the climax of absurdity for me to aspire to rule this people, to
+whom I was a stranger and in whose eyes I would be, in effect, a pure
+usurper.
+
+Then the great band of the Regiment blared out, and I settled myself
+for the march-by.
+
+When it was over, and the last troop had broken into column and had
+trotted away, I dismissed my Staff, except Moore, and rode across to
+where I had noticed Lady Helen Radnor.
+
+"If you were not a Prince I would not speak to you," she said, as I
+dismounted.
+
+"Then," said I, as I bowed over her hand, "there is some compensation
+in being a Prince."
+
+"I have not seen you for ages," she complained.
+
+"I've been very busy."
+
+"That is no excuse among friends, sir; besides, the Princess has been
+away for weeks."
+
+"I did not imagine you would miss me," I said--and glanced at her left
+hand.
+
+She laughed, and held it up.  "The finger is quite bare," she said;
+"but, I'll take off the glove, if you wish."
+
+"I'm sorry," I said.  "He is such a good chap."
+
+She raised her eyebrows.
+
+I leaned a bit closer.  "You won't refuse him when he does offer?" I
+asked.
+
+"I suppose an Archduke cannot be impertinent," she said.
+
+"Not when he doesn't mean to be," said I.
+
+"Do you know," said she slowly, and looking at me hard, the while, "I
+was foolish enough to think, very long ago, that you rather liked me,
+yourself."
+
+"And it's just because I do--that I hoped the finger wasn't bare," I
+answered.
+
+"How deliciously unselfish!" she exclaimed.  "You will next be
+resigning the Princess to His Grace of Lotzen."
+
+"Quite between ourselves, I'll be doing nothing of the sort," I said,
+with mock confidentialness.
+
+"Nevertheless, I think I'll tell the Duke he has only to wait," said
+she.
+
+"And I'll confide to Courtney he has only to ask to be taken," I
+returned.
+
+She laughed.  "You might do it right now--here he is."
+
+I turned just as Courtney dismounted.
+
+"May I intrude, Your Royal Highness?" he asked.
+
+"Come along," said I; "Lady Helen wants to hear some gossip and I don't
+know any."
+
+A bit of a smile came into his eyes.  "And that, though you are,
+yourself, the most gossiped about individual in Dornlitz," he answered.
+
+"Another penalty of my new estate," said I; "the butt of all and the
+confidant of none."
+
+Courtney tapped my Baton.  "Have you noticed, Lady Helen, what a steady
+run of hard luck our friend, here, has had ever since he came to
+Valeria?" he asked.
+
+"Indeed I have," said she; "and I've been so sorry for him."
+
+Then she nodded most pleasantly to someone, and Courtney and I turned
+and bowed.  It was the Marquise de Vierle, wife of the French
+Ambassador.
+
+"How about her Masque to-night?" I asked; "will it be worth while?"
+
+"It's very evident you are new to Dornlitz," Courtney observed--and
+Lady Helen laughed.
+
+"The Vierle Balls outrival even the Court functions," she explained.
+
+"Are you going?" I asked her.
+
+"I am, indeed."
+
+"And you, Courtney?"
+
+"I shall look in late."
+
+I motioned to Moore.  "Who is on duty to-night?" I asked.
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"Could you manage two costumes for the Vierle Masque?"
+
+"Quite readily, sir."
+
+"Very good," I said.  "And let them be as near alike as possible," I
+added.
+
+By this time the Field was almost deserted, and, at Lady Helen's
+suggestion, Courtney and I turned our horses over to my orderly and
+drove back with her.
+
+"I suppose," said I, "that fancy dress is required to-night."
+
+"It is absolutely _de rigueur_," said Courtney; "and there is no
+unmasking."
+
+"Really!" said I.  "It promises very well."
+
+"And it realizes all it promises--maybe, a bit more," Lady Helen
+laughed.
+
+"How shall I recognize you?" I asked.
+
+She considered a moment.  "I am to stay the night with the Marquise,
+and we shall both wear white silk court gowns of the period of Henry of
+Navarre.  I'll also put a red rose in my hair."
+
+"And I," said Courtney, "will be caparisoned in a plum velvet court
+suit, a la Louis Quinze.  You will know me easily by the awkward way I
+handle the high red heels."
+
+"As I don't know what Moore will provide for me," said I, "I will adopt
+Lady Helen's rose; and, as I can't fasten it in my hair, I'll carry it
+in my mouth."
+
+"A good idea," said Courtney; "and I'll put one in my button hole."
+
+
+
+
+XXI
+
+THE BAL MASQUE
+
+When Moore and I entered the French Embassy, that night, my own valet
+could not have distinguished which was the Aide and which the Archduke.
+By some means, which I did not bother to inquire, Moore had secured two
+suits of black velvet, of the time of the Thirteenth Louis, which were
+marvels in fit and style.  We were of one height and very similar in
+frame--there being but a few pounds difference in our weights--and,
+with the long curls under the big hats with their flowing plumes, and
+the black silk masks, we were as alike as twins.  Even our swords were
+similar--long, leather-sheathed rapiers with dead gold hilts.
+
+Under my doublet I laced the steel vest Bernheim brought me.  It and
+one other were made by a famous Milan armorer three hundred years ago,
+Bernheim said; and the two had been in his family ever since.  And, so
+far as he knew, there were no others like them in all Europe; not even
+in the Museums.  It was a wonderful piece of work, truly.  The links
+were small and yielding and so cunningly joined that it was as pliable
+as knitted wool, and much less bulky.  Indeed, when rolled into a ball,
+it was no bigger than a man's fist.  It looked quite too flimsy to
+afford any protection; yet, when I saw it proof against a bullet fired
+from a revolver and also turn repeated sword thrusts, I was, perforce,
+convinced.  And I was completely won when I donned it; it was like a
+vest of silk.  And I was well pleased it was so; for I was wearing it
+simply to oblige good old Bernheim, who seemed so earnest about it.  I
+had no notion it would be of any service to me that night.
+
+As everyone came masked, admission was, of course, only by card, after
+which all were conducted singly to a small room where the mask was
+removed and identification satisfactorily established by the
+Ambassador's Secretary.
+
+It chanced, when my turn came, that the Marquis de Vierle, himself, was
+in the room; and, when he saw my face, his welcome was intensely
+ardent.  He apologized effusively that I had been received at the
+regular entrance and, so, had been compelled to wait my turn for
+identification--but, surely, my regrets had been noted.
+
+I told him he was quite right--that I had regretted, and that the
+apology was, really, due from me for coming, and that I had enjoyed
+being pushed and jostled, once again, like an ordinary mortal.  He
+wanted to treat me with all the deference due me and I very firmly
+declined.  I told him, frankly, I was there to see and enjoy and not to
+be seen nor to receive special attentions.  I asked him, as a
+particular favor, to tell no one of my presence and to permit me to
+remain absolutely incog.; that, for this night, I was plain Armand
+Dalberg and not a Royal Highness nor an Archduke.
+
+The house was one of the largest in the Capital, standing in a park of
+its own, on the edge of the inner town, and had been the residence of
+the French Legation for a century.  It had been improved and added to,
+at various periods, until it had taken on about every known style of
+architecture.  And, as a result, there were queer passages and many
+unexpected recesses.  The furniture was as varied as the building; and
+the tapestries and pictures and frescoes were rather famous.  The
+grounds, however, were the main attraction; they covered twenty acres
+and were maintained exactly as originally laid out by a famous Italian
+landscape artist--with immense trees and huge hedges and narrow walks
+and wonderful vistas.
+
+The Marquise de Vierle welcomed her guests alone in one of the small
+reception rooms; everyone entering singly and unmasking--she, herself,
+being as yet, in ordinary evening dress.  She was a very handsome
+woman, much younger than the Marquis, and of the very oldest French
+Aristocracy--a _grande dame_ in bearing as well as in birth.
+
+"Your Royal Highness does us great honor," she said, as I bowed over
+her hand.
+
+I answered her in suit, and we tossed the usual number of compliments
+back and forth.
+
+"Whom shall we bid join you at supper?" she asked.
+
+"My dear Marquise," I protested, "you have your personal party
+selected--doubtless invited; and my unexpected coming must not break
+your arrangements.  Let me wander about, and pay no more regard to me
+than to your most ordinary guest."
+
+But she declined to excuse me; insisting that she had made no choice,
+except Lady Helen Radnor, who happened to be staying the night with
+her.  So, without being churlish, I could decline no longer.
+
+"If your Ladyship will make the list very small, and, then, engage to
+give me all your smiles I shall accept with pleasure," I said.
+
+"I will promise both," she said.  "Who attends you to-night?"
+
+"My Aide, Colonel Moore."
+
+"Suppose, then, we make it a party of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
+Countess de Relde, Mademoiselle d'Essolde and the American Ambassador."
+
+"Charming!" I exclaimed; "charming!"
+
+"And what hour will Your Highness be served?" she asked.
+
+"At whatever hour Madame la Marquise fixes."
+
+"Say, one o'clock, then--in the blue breakfast room; it is quiet and
+retired."
+
+I bowed again over her hand and was withdrawing, when the Marquise
+stopped me.
+
+"Would not Your Highness like to know some of the Masques?" she asked.
+
+"Very much, indeed," said I.
+
+"Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains,
+yonder--and, when you are tired, there is a door, which slides without
+noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the Garden.
+_Comprenez vous, Monsieur le Prince_?"
+
+I laughed.  "Perfectly," said I.  "And I may have Colonel Moore with
+me?  There will be many faces I shall not know."
+
+"He is without?" she asked.
+
+"Yes--and costumed somewhat like myself."
+
+She touched a bell; I held up my mask.
+
+"Admit the gentleman in black velvet, like Monsieur," she ordered.
+
+"Goodness!" she exclaimed, when Moore entered.
+
+"Puzzle," said I.  "Pick the Archduke."
+
+"Impossible--and, if you two go around together, some of my guests will
+think they are getting double vision very early in the evening."
+
+From the recess, we could see all that entered and hear every word
+said.  And it struck me how very eloquent it was of the character of
+the Marquise de Vierle that she should, deliberately, provide a
+concealed audience while she greeted--alone--every man and woman of
+Dornlitz Society.  I must admit I rather enjoyed the experience--though
+I very rarely guessed the face behind the mask.  It is astonishing how
+effectively an unusual costume disguises even those we know well.
+
+Suddenly, the Marquis entered hurriedly.
+
+"Do you know, Claire," he said, "that the American Archduke is here
+to-night?"
+
+Instantly I laid my hand on the sliding door.  It was time for us to be
+going.  And the door refused to move.  I looked at Moore, who shrugged
+his shoulders.  I could imagine the smile his mask concealed.  But the
+Marquise met the situation with a laugh.
+
+"I do indeed--and I rather fancy you will find His Highness in yonder
+recess," she said.
+
+I parted the curtains and stepped out--and Colonel Moore beside me.
+
+"Madame la Marquise has taken pity on the stranger," I said; "and has
+given him an opportunity to recognize his friends."
+
+If the diplomat were surprised, no one would have guessed it--except
+that his bow was more than usually low.
+
+"It is a great privilege, my dear Prince, if we can be of any use to
+you," he said.
+
+I took a sudden resolve.  "I very much fear my unexpected presence
+to-night is a source of concern and inconvenience to Your Excellency,"
+I said.  "With your permission I will take my leave," and I made to go.
+
+Vierle came quickly to me.
+
+"It will make the Marquise and me most unhappy, if you do," he said.
+"And I shall tell you frankly what brought me here.  The lady who
+styles herself your wife is among the guests--she is in the next room,
+now, waiting to be admitted.  My purpose was to have the Marquise
+request her to depart at once."
+
+I laughed, and put my hand on his shoulder.
+
+"So far as I am concerned," I said, "I pray you do nothing of the sort.
+The lady does not bother me in the slightest.  Besides, she will not
+know I'm here--and I shall not present myself to her, you may be sure."
+
+"Yet, we owe Your Highness an explanation of her presence," the
+Marquise exclaimed.
+
+"My dear Madame de Vierle, you owe me nothing of the sort," I said.  "I
+am still enough of an American to think that a hostess is never called
+upon to explain a guest.  And, what is more, the whole difficulty is of
+my own making, in coming after I had declined."
+
+"Surely, Your Highness is very gracious; yet, I would very much prefer
+to explain," she said.  "It was this way: Madeline Stafford and I were
+friends and schoolmates in Paris.  We both married about the same time
+and, then, lost touch with each other.  I had neither seen nor heard
+from her until I received a note some weeks ago.  After Your Highness
+regretted for to-night, I sent her a card.  I mentioned the matter to
+the Duke of Lotzen and he said that, under the circumstances, and as
+everyone would be masked, it would be entirely proper.  That is my
+explanation."
+
+"And one amply sufficient; even if any were required," I said.
+
+I thought I saw my dear cousin's game.
+
+"And you are quite sure you do not object to her remaining?"
+
+"Quite sure," said I; "and I even hope she will enjoy herself.  I
+shall, I know.  And, at supper, I'll confide my adventures to your
+Ladyship."  Then I took a shot in the dark.  "And I know His Highness
+of Lotzen will be forever sorry he could not be here to-night," I added.
+
+"He was good enough to call and tell me so," was the answer.
+
+I was sure, now, I saw my dear cousin's game.
+
+Then I bowed over the Marquise's hand and Moore and I went out through
+the sliding door--which, when the Marquis rolled it back for us, I saw
+was not locked.  In my haste I had not seen the small brass button
+which released the latch.
+
+"It's a pity Vierle didn't tell us what costume Mrs. Spencer is
+wearing," Moore remarked, as we reached the Garden.
+
+I stopped short.  "What a blunderer I am.  It would be better if you
+did the thinking for me."
+
+"Shall I go back and ask him?"
+
+"It will keep until supper," said I.  "In the meantime, let us hunt up
+Courtney and Lady Helen."  I explained to him how to distinguish them;
+then, taking from my doublet a small package wrapped in foil, I
+selected a red rose and put it in my mouth.
+
+"Now," said I, "let us have a look around."
+
+For a time I was more occupied with the beauty of the Garden than with
+my fellow-masques, and I left it to Moore to keep a careful eye for the
+other two red roses.  I could not but notice, however, that we were
+attracting much attention; by reason, I assumed, of our striking
+similarity; and a number of times Moore replied wittily to some
+pleasant banter flung at us.  I should say, perhaps, that the grounds
+were so thoroughly lighted with electricity that they were as bright as
+day; the lamps being so carefully distributed that there were,
+practically, no shadows.
+
+Presently, on the bank of a miniature lake near the farthest wall, we
+came upon three women and a man.
+
+"The Dromios," said one of the women.
+
+"Satan's Twins," laughed another.
+
+"A pair of black Knaves," echoed the third.
+
+The man laughed, but said nothing.
+
+I put my hand through Moore's arm and swung him around.
+
+"Why not add us to your own Knave and then give us a Queen apiece?" I
+asked.
+
+She, who had spoken last, clapped her hands.
+
+"Delicious!" she exclaimed.  "Will monsieur be my Knave?"
+
+The voice was very soft and musical, and I saw Moore glance quickly at
+her.
+
+"That will I, my lady," said I; and stepped forward and kissed her
+hand; then drew it through my arm.
+
+"Who chooses the other black Knave?" asked Moore, sweeping off his hat,
+and bowing with it held across his heart.  I noted he had changed his
+voice.
+
+"I do," said she who had styled us "Satan's Twins;" and she gave him
+her hand.
+
+He, who had been with them, shrugged his shoulders and turned to her
+who had spoken first, "Mademoiselle," said he, "I am waiting to be
+chosen."
+
+She laughed.  "Mademoiselle will be deeply honored," she said, "if
+monsieur will deign to accept the only Queen that is left."
+
+It chanced that none of these four Masques had gone through the
+reception room while we were behind the curtains, so, of course, I had
+not the slightest notion of their identity.  It was quite possible
+Moore would be able to make a good guess; and, I fancied, he had
+already placed my Queen--she of the musical laugh.  However, so long as
+they did not discover me, it mattered not at all who they were.  I
+could trust Moore to get me away from them if he found it wise.  So I
+devoted myself to my companion.
+
+She was of good height and rather slender, and wore a blue gown, with
+powdered hair.  Her face and ears were completely hidden by her mask,
+but, judging from the bit of neck that was visible, and other
+indications, she was not over twenty-five.  I let her pick the way, and
+we led the others slowly around through the part of the Garden most
+removed from the house and where the Masques were fewest.  I took it,
+that she had no desire to be prominent, and I was very well content.
+
+She was a rare flirt, though--that, I knew, before we had gone a
+hundred yards; and it kept my wits very busy to hold my own even
+moderately well, and to keep from giving her any clue to my identity.
+
+"Do you know, monsieur," she said, presently, "you and your friend are
+not the only two men here, to-night, who are dressed alike?"
+
+"Are they black knaves, too?" I asked.
+
+She tapped me on the arm with her fan.
+
+"Don't be sarcastic, my dear," she said; "though, I admit, we were very
+forward."
+
+"Nonsense!" I replied.  "This is a Masque.  Only, are you quite sure we
+were the first men you bantered?"
+
+"You forget, sir; Folly has no past," she said.
+
+"A true word, mademoiselle," I agreed.  "Shall it be so with us when we
+part?"
+
+She looked up at me a moment.
+
+"Monsieur must be married," she laughed.
+
+"Every man is married--or hopes to be," said I.
+
+She tapped me again with her fan.
+
+"You forget, again," she said.  "Folly never--moralizes."
+
+"True," said I, "she hasn't any morals."
+
+"Why make Folly feminine?" she asked.  "Methinks, there is usually a
+Knave for every Queen."
+
+"Methinks, I know one Queen who could have Knaves as many as she
+listed," I answered, bending down and trying to see her eyes.
+
+But she quickly interposed her fan.
+
+"I am masked, monsieur," she said.
+
+I ignored the reproof.  "That," said I, "is my supreme regret."
+
+"_Merci, mon ami_," she said.  "You may kiss my hand when you leave me."
+
+"Only your hand?" I asked.
+
+"Not even that, now," she retorted--then turned and leaned against the
+hedge.
+
+Two men were coming down the path toward us.
+
+"Here are the other twin Knaves," she said.
+
+And it was true enough--they were as alike as Moore and myself; only,
+they wore white satin small clothes and powdered perukes.  They were in
+earnest conversation, but broke off as they neared us.
+
+"_Parbleu_!" exclaimed the man with us.  "There seems to be a plague of
+twins to-night."
+
+One of the White Masques made as though to halt, but the other
+whispered something and tried to draw him on.
+
+Our fellow laughed irritatingly, and waved his hand toward Moore and me.
+
+"We've got a pair of Knaves here, also," he bantered; "perchance, the
+four of you are from the same pack."
+
+The White Masque turned quickly.  "Then it would be a pack, monsieur,
+in which you would be about equal to the deuce," he said.
+
+"Or the joker," said the other, as they moved away, "which, in a
+gentleman's game, has no place."
+
+Our man made a quick step toward them; but Moore caught him sharply by
+the shoulder.
+
+"Let them go," he said curtly.
+
+The other hesitated--then shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"For the present be it, then," he said.
+
+"And, look you, sir," Moore went on; "I do not know you, but, if you
+will take my poor advice, you will let it be for the future, too."  He
+offered his arm to his companion.  "Mademoiselle, shall we continue the
+stroll?"
+
+"What a queer speech," said my Masque, "one might almost fancy they
+were of royal rank."
+
+"The King, possibly," I suggested.
+
+"Nonsense, monsieur; you know perfectly well His Majesty is not in
+Dornlitz."
+
+"The Duke of Lotzen and the American Archduke, then."
+
+She laughed.  "Very likely; very likely, indeed!"
+
+"Mademoiselle is pleased to ridicule."
+
+"And monsieur is pleased to affect ignorance."
+
+"Of what?" I asked.
+
+"When did your Knaveship come to Dornlitz?"
+
+"Very recently."
+
+"You must be a very stupid--diplomat."
+
+"I am," I agreed.
+
+"Do you know the 'American Archduke,' as you call him?"
+
+"Very slightly," said I.
+
+"Doubtless you would rather know his wife," she said naively.
+
+"Then you think he is married?" I asked.
+
+"Of course, monsieur--so does everyone--don't you?"
+
+"No," said I.  "I don't."
+
+She laughed.  "You mean you don't want to think so,----madame is very
+beautiful--_n'est ce pas_?"
+
+"Do you know her?" I asked evasively.
+
+"No, monsieur; do you?"
+
+"I have met her."
+
+"Oh!  Oh!" she exclaimed.  Then she looked at me quickly.  "I thought
+she received no visitors."
+
+I shrugged my shoulders.  "The lady does not interest me," I said; "let
+us talk of something else."
+
+"Of the American Archduke, then," she suggested.
+
+"Why not of yourself?" I urged.
+
+"I am only a Masque--the American may be a King."
+
+"Not likely," I scoffed.
+
+"Are you for Lotzen?" she demanded.
+
+"Diplomats are neutral," said I; "but, _entre nous_, I have become
+rather interested in the American."
+
+"So have I," said she.  "He is very handsome."
+
+"Thank you," I said, involuntarily.
+
+She stopped and looked at me.  I was glad, indeed, for the mask.
+
+"What is it?" I asked.
+
+"Would you mind repeating that last remark?" she said.
+
+I pretended surprise.
+
+"You said the American was very handsome and I said 'thank you.'  I
+mean I don't agree with you."
+
+"Oh!" she answered.
+
+But I would have been better satisfied if I could have seen her face.
+
+"I wouldn't let the Valerians know it," she went on.  "He is the
+perfect double of the great national Hero."
+
+"So I've heard."
+
+"And it's no small item in his popularity."
+
+"I didn't know he was popular," I said.--This was getting interesting.
+
+"Really, monsieur, your ignorance of the very matters, which you should
+know, would suggest you are an American diplomat."
+
+"Your Ladyship is severe," I said.
+
+"I meant to be--though there are exceptions; the present Ambassador is
+one.  He ranks with the best of his fellows."
+
+"Now, that," said I, "I have heard."
+
+She laughed.  "Come, monsieur, lay aside this affected ignorance and
+gossip a bit.  Is the American to marry the Princess Royal?"
+
+"I thought you were insisting, a moment since, that he had a wife," I
+observed.
+
+"Oh, that's of no consequence.  It will be very easy to divorce her."
+
+Here, doubtless, was the popular view of this matter; and it gave me
+the shudders.
+
+Then the swing of a waltz came from the house.
+
+"Shall we dance?" I said.
+
+She smiled.  "Monsieur is bored--let us wait for my friends."
+
+I protested; but she was firm.  And, so, when the others came up, Moore
+and I made our adieux.
+
+When we were out of hearing, Moore handed me a bit of paper.
+
+"This just reached me,'" he said.
+
+It was from the Secret Police and read:
+
+
+"S. is at Vierle Masque.  She wears a gypsy dress of black and red.  L.
+is also at Masque--he and Count Bigler are dressed alike in white
+satin.  L. came last and his presence is unknown to the Vierles for he
+avoided unmasking by personating Bigler."
+
+
+"So, they were the White Twins," I remarked.
+
+"You knew them?"
+
+"I knew only Lotzen."
+
+"Hence your advice to our quick-tempered companion--who was he?"
+
+"I couldn't make him out," said Moore; "but he knew the women and was
+their escort from the house."
+
+"He seemed to be a bit sour about something."
+
+"My companion said it was because the Blue Masque chose you."
+
+"She was very charming," said I.  "Who was she?"
+
+"I knew neither his nor mine," said he evasively.
+
+"But mine?" I insisted.  "She of the sweet voice--which, Colonel, I
+observed, you noted."
+
+He hesitated an instant; then answered:
+
+"Mademoiselle d'Essolde."
+
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed.  If rumor spoke truly, Mademoiselle d'Essolde
+carried Moore's heart in her keeping.  Then I laughed.  "Never mind,
+Colonel, we shall see her at supper, presently--she will be beside you,
+I think."
+
+"Your Highness is very thoughtful," he said.
+
+"Don't give me the credit--it was Lady Vierle's idea," I answered--and
+changed the subject.  "What is Lotzen up to now," I asked.
+
+"Some deviltry--either women or you."
+
+"I think it's both," said I.  "The Marquise consulted him as to sending
+Mrs. Spencer an invitation, and you remember how careful he was to call
+in person to regret he could not come to-night.  He saw, at once, his
+opportunity for a talk with Mrs. Spencer.  Depend on it, that is the
+explanation of the White Twins, and of Lotzen's evading identification.
+I dare say he already has an alibi perfected.
+
+"He has had no chance to see her, yet," said Moore.  "I'll have her
+ordered to her hotel."
+
+"No, she must remain," said I; "I'm committed to the Marquise.
+Besides, I'm minded to play their own game for them, a bit.  Do you
+think Lotzen knows I'm at the Masque?"
+
+Moore thought a moment.  "Lady Vierle told him you were not coming,
+when she asked as to Mrs. Spencer," he said.  "And he may have let it
+go at that; but it wouldn't be his usual method.  My last order, before
+we left the Epsau, was that you were indisposed and had retired and, on
+no account, were you to be disturbed without Bernheim's express
+permission.  But, servants are purchasable and spies are plenty, and
+Lotzen knows how to reach the first and use the second.  On the whole,
+it is likely he has been advised that you are here, though he may not
+know your costume.  The long military cloaks completely hid our dress;
+and you will recall that, at my suggestion, we concealed our hats under
+them until we were in the carriage."
+
+"I can't get used to this espionage," I said.  "Suppose we take a look
+around for the Gypsy Lady; doubtless, we shall find her with a White
+Masque."
+
+We were on a walk bordered by a hedge of boxwood, shoulder high.  On
+the other side, was another path with several Masques on it.  Suddenly,
+one of them, as he passed, reached over the hedge and struck me in the
+back with a dagger.
+
+The blow sent me plunging forward, but did me no hurt.  I owed my life
+to Bernheim.  His steel vest had stayed the blade that, otherwise,
+would have found my heart.
+
+With a cry, Moore sprang to me and caught me in his arms.
+
+"I'm not hurt," I said, recovering my balance.
+
+"Thank God!" he ejaculated--then took the hedge at a vault.
+
+I caught him by the arm as he landed on the other side.
+
+"Stay," I commanded.  "Let the fellow go."
+
+Moore looked at me a moment.  "Let him go?" he exclaimed incredulously.
+
+I nodded.  "And come along--let us get away from here."
+
+Without a word, he vaulted back and we moved off.
+
+The whole thing had occurred so unexpectedly and so swiftly that the
+few Masques, who had been in the vicinity, evidently had not noticed
+the murderous nature of the assault; and the peculiar arrangement of
+the hedges and trees had enabled my assailant to disappear almost
+instantly.  Indeed, but for Moore's vaulting the boxwood after him, it
+is likely no one would have suspected anything unusual.
+
+Several men came up and inquired if they could be of any assistance,
+but I assured them it was a matter of no consequence--that I had,
+evidently, been mistaken for another--or it was only a bit of
+pleasantry from some friend who had recognized me.
+
+"But that you are uninjured," remarked one, "I should almost say it was
+a case of attempted assassination."
+
+I laughed.  "An assassination would fit in well with the costumes and
+the garden--everything is mediaeval to-night."
+
+"Except the electric lights," Moore threw in, dryly; and we bowed
+ourselves away.
+
+"I suppose we may now assume that somebody knows my disguise," I
+observed.  "Did you see my friend with the dagger?"
+
+"Yes--as much of him as there was to see--he wore a long black cloak
+and was rather above medium size.  If Your Highness had not stopped me
+I might have caught him."
+
+"That's just why I stopped you," said I.  "I didn't want to embarrass
+the De Vierles.  Think what it would mean to them to have it known that
+one of their guests had attempted to stab to death an Archduke."
+
+"Hum--I don't see why that is more important than protecting your life."
+
+"My dear Colonel," said I, "if it were a question between my life and
+Lady Vierle's temporary embarrassment, I would look after my life.  But
+my life is still safe, and in no more danger with that rogue at large
+than with him caught."
+
+"It would be one less scoundrel for Lotzen to work with," Moore
+objected.
+
+"I fancy he has got so many scoundrels on his pay roll that one, more
+or less, won't matter," I answered.  "But, I've no objection to a quiet
+inquiry as to this assault--it may come very handy, some time--so, do
+you look up the Secret Service Officer, in charge here to-night, and
+give him such facts as you deem proper, and let a report be made to me
+in the morning."
+
+"First, let me escort you to the house," he insisted.
+
+I put my hand on his arm.  "Lotzen may have his hired bravoes," I said,
+"but I'm blessed with two good friends in you and Bernheim."
+
+The warm-hearted Irishman took my hand and pressed it.
+
+"We both are Your Highness's servants until death," he said.
+
+"I'm in no further danger to-night, I fancy," said I.  "And here come
+Lady Helen and the American Ambassador.  I'll remain with them.  When
+you have done your errand rejoin me."
+
+
+
+
+XXII
+
+BLACK KNAVE AND WHITE
+
+There were three women and a man in the approaching party, and it
+chanced I knew them all.  Courtney had a red rose fastened
+conspicuously on his breast, and Lady Helen wore a great bunch of them
+in her hair--another was gowned like her and, so, must be the Marquise
+de Vierle herself--the fourth was Mademoiselle d'Essolde.
+
+"If you wish," said I, barring the path and sweeping the ground with my
+feather, "I'll hunt another rose.  I've been searching for you so long
+that the one I began with has gone to pieces."
+
+"Of course, Your Highness would never think of looking in the Ball
+Room," said Lady Helen.
+
+Mademoiselle d'Essolde started and, then, drew a bit back.
+
+"Never, indeed, until I had searched the Garden," I retorted.  Then I
+bowed to Mademoiselle d'Essolde as the Marquise presented her.  I could
+see she was very much embarrassed, so I tried to reassure her by being
+extremely cordial.
+
+The Marquise wanted to show Courtney the bridge and the lake, and, when
+we passed the place where Moore and I had met the Queens--as I had
+styled them--Mademoiselle d'Essolde found her opportunity and whispered:
+
+"Will Your Royal Highness ever forgive me?"
+
+"On one condition," I said.
+
+"It's granted--name it."
+
+"That you be nice to him who sits beside you at supper, to-night."
+
+She looked at me a moment--masks are very annoying when one wants to
+see the face.
+
+"That will be an easy penance," she said--and I understood she had been
+told who that man was to be.
+
+I bent toward her.  "Let him know it, then," I said earnestly.
+
+"Your Highness likes him?" she asked.
+
+"I do more than like him," I said.
+
+She threw a quick glance up at me.
+
+"Maybe I do, too," she laughed.
+
+"Good," said I; then began to speak of something else.  There is just
+as proper a point to quit a subject as to start it.
+
+The grass on the bank of the lake was quite dry and Lady Helen
+suggested that we sit down.
+
+"This reminds me of a garden in Florence," she said.  "Someone might
+tell us a story from Boccaccio."
+
+The Marquise held up her hands in affected horror.
+
+"Helen!  Helen!  You're positively shocking," she said.
+
+"Lady Helen evidently believes in living up to our costumes," I
+ventured.
+
+"Why not?" she laughed, "since the masks hide our faces?"
+
+"Very good, my dear," said Lady Vierle, "you tell the first story; we
+will take our cue from you."
+
+Lady Helen removed her mask.  "Then, that is your first cue," she said.
+
+"I breathe easier," Mademoiselle d'Essolde remarked.
+
+"We all do," said I--then, suddenly, replaced mine and arose.
+
+"Indulge me for a moment," I said, and sauntered over to the path a
+little distance away; nor answered the chaffing that was flung after
+me.  I had seen a woman in gypsy dress and a cavalier in white coming
+slowly down the walk.  I did not doubt it was Mrs. Spencer and Lotzen,
+and I intended to let them know they were recognized.
+
+As we neared each other, I halted and stared at them with the most
+obvious deliberation.  The gypsy made some remark to her companion, to
+which he nodded.  I had little notion they would address me; and,
+certainly, none that they would stop.  But, there (though whether it
+was pure bravado or because my attitude was particularly irritating, I
+know not), Lotzen gave me another surprise.
+
+He paused in front of me and looked me over from head to foot.
+
+"Monsieur seems interested," he said, making no effort to disguise his
+tones.
+
+I made no answer.
+
+"And I hope monsieur will pardon me if I tell him his manners are
+atrocious," he went on.
+
+Again, no answer.
+
+"Though, of course, no one could ever expect monsieur to understand
+why," he continued.
+
+Of a sudden, it dawned on my slow brain that Lotzen did not know
+whether it was Moore or I that confronted him, and he wanted to hear my
+voice.  I saw no utility in obliging him; so, I stood impassive,
+staring calmly at them.
+
+Lotzen turned to his companion.
+
+"Speak to him, mademoiselle," he said; "perchance the dulcet tones of
+Beauty may move the Beast to speech."
+
+I smiled at him addressing her as "mademoiselle."
+
+She shook her head.  "Methinks it's Balaam not Beauty you need."
+
+He laughed.  "Even that does not stir him--the fellow must be deaf."
+
+"Try signs on him." she suggested.
+
+"Good!  I'll sign to him we want to see his face."
+
+"How, pray?"
+
+"By pulling off his mask," he answered--and put out his hand, as though
+to do it.  With his fingers almost on it, he paused.
+
+I stood quite still.  I felt perfectly sure he would not touch me; but,
+if he did, I intended to knock him down.  And I was not mistaken.
+After a moment, he dropped his arm.
+
+The woman laughed.  "Your nerve failed--his didn't," she said dryly.
+
+"Not at all, mademoiselle.  I thought of a better way.--Observe."
+
+He slowly drew the long narrow-bladed sword, that went with his
+costume, and, taking the point in his left hand, bowed over it in mock
+courtesy.
+
+"Will monsieur have the extreme kindness to remove his mask," he said.
+
+I admit I was a bit astonished.  Surely, this was rushing things with a
+vengeance--to deliberately raise a situation that meant either a fight
+or a complete back-down by one of us.  And, as he would scarcely
+imagine I would do the latter, he must have intended to force a duel.
+
+There might have been another reason, assuming that he was interested
+only in my identity:--this procedure would have told him; for Moore
+would not have dared draw sword on the Heir Presumptive.  But I have
+never thought such was his idea; for he must have been very well
+satisfied, by this time, that none but an equal in rank would have
+acted so toward him.
+
+And, being convinced that it was I that fronted him, he had suddenly
+seen an opportunity to accomplish in open fight what his hired assassin
+had bungled.  It is notorious that American officers know practically
+nothing of the art of fence; what easier than to drive me into drawing
+on him and, then, after a bit of play, to run me neatly through the
+heart.  What mattered it if he were the aggressor?  It would be easy to
+aver he had not known me--that I had chosen to insult him, and, having
+refused to unmask and apologize, had suffered the consequences of my
+own rashness and bad manners.
+
+And, even suppose no one believed his story that he did not know me.
+What mattered it?  One does not execute the Heir Presumptive of Valeria
+for murder.  True, the King might rage--and a term of banishment to his
+mountain estates might follow; yet, what trifling penalties for the end
+attained.  They would be only for the moment, as it were.  But the
+American would be dead--the Crown sure--the Princess still unmarried.
+
+Truly, it was a chance which would never come again; and not to seize
+it was to mock Fortune to her very face.
+
+It takes far longer to write this than to think it.  It all went
+through my mind in the brief space Lotzen gave me for reply.
+
+"I am waiting, monsieur," he said.
+
+The Gypsy laughed softly.
+
+"You tell him so much he already knows," said she.
+
+Lotzen looked at her--in surprise, I doubt not.
+
+"Mademoiselle is impatient," he remarked.
+
+She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
+
+Then he bowed again to me.
+
+"You see, monsieur," he said, "you tire the Lady; I must ask you to
+make haste."
+
+If anyone think it easy to stand, stolidly, in one position for a
+considerable period, and have impertinent things said to him the while,
+let him try it.  He will be very apt to change his notion.  But, I
+stuck to it; and my soldier training helped me--and the mask relieved
+my face.
+
+"You are stubborn, monsieur, as well as bad mannered.  I shall have to
+spur you, I see," he went on.  "I ask you, once again, monsieur, to
+remove your mask.  If you do not, I shall give you a bit of steel in
+the left leg."
+
+"And, if that be ineffective?" the lady asked.
+
+"Then, I shall touch him in the other leg--and, if he still refuses,
+then, in the right arm--and, then, if necessary, in the left arm; each
+time a trifle deeper."
+
+"And, then----?" she inflected, very sweetly.
+
+"Then?" he repeated.  "I think there will be no need for a 'then,'
+mademoiselle," he laughed sneeringly.
+
+She nodded toward me.
+
+"Isn't it about time to begin?" she asked.
+
+"Your wish, my dear, is my law," he said.  "You hear, monsieur; your
+time is up--prepare."
+
+He stepped forward and thrust, very slowly, at my thigh.  Even then, I
+could not think that he would actually dare to touch me with his sword;
+and I made no motion.  I proposed to call his bluff--if it were one.
+
+Closer and closer, inch by inch, drew the point.  It reached the
+velvet--hesitated--passed through--and just pierced my flesh--then, was
+withdrawn.
+
+And, with that cut, came the blood-lust, like unto the rage of the
+berserker of old.  Yet, somehow, I had the sense to stand quiet and let
+the red passion burn itself out.  I would need all my coolness to meet
+Lotzen's skill.
+
+"Now, will monsieur remove his mask?" he asked.
+
+"You scarcely touched him," scoffed the Gypsy.
+
+Lotzen held up the sword.
+
+"See the red upon the point?" he asked.
+
+"Blood!  You actually cut him!" she exclaimed--then pointed her finger
+at me, derisively.  "And you wear a sword!" she sneered.
+
+It was pretty hard to take.  But I had a notion, foolish, possibly, to
+play the game a little longer.
+
+"Come along, my friend," she went on.  "This is poor sport.  I hate a
+coward."
+
+For an instant, I feared he would heed her and go--and that would have
+obliged me to become the aggressor; which I much preferred not to be.
+
+"A coward!" he laughed--and looked at me.  "You hear that, monsieur: a
+coward."  Then he put his hand on her arm.  "You are quite right, my
+dear, it is poor sport," he said.  "Yet, stay a moment longer.  I shall
+forego the other cuts and tear off his mask, instead."
+
+"And permit him to wear a sword?" she mocked.  "Surely, not!  Why don't
+you break it?"
+
+"A charming suggestion--thank you.--You hear my Lady's wish, Monsieur
+le Coquin," he said to me, and presenting his blade at my breast.
+"Will you yield your sword or shall I be obliged to take it from you?"
+
+At last, Lotzen had driven me to action, in pointing his sword at my
+breast.  If he touched it my steel vest would be disclosed, at once;
+and that was not to my mind.  It would explain the failure of his
+bravo's dagger.  More than that I did not care for.  Doubtless, he was
+wearing one himself at that very moment.  One usually ascribes to his
+enemy methods similar to one's own--and, as Lotzen dealt in
+assassination, he would expect me to do the same.
+
+I waited a moment.  Then, stepping quickly out of reach, I drew my own
+sword.
+
+"Here it is, my Lord," I said.  "Which end will you take?"
+
+"The only end that you can give me, monsieur--the hilt," was the answer.
+
+"Come and get it, then," I drawled.
+
+He turned to the Gypsy.
+
+"Will mademoiselle pardon me," he said.
+
+"Will you be long?" she asked.
+
+"Only a moment.  I'll make it very short."
+
+"I'll wait," she said carelessly.
+
+He bowed to her--and then faced me.
+
+"Has Monsieur le Coquin any particular spot in which he prefers to
+receive my point?" he asked.
+
+"None, my Lord," I answered; "I shall leave that to your own good
+taste."
+
+"_Merci_, monsieur, _merci_!" he said, and saluted.  "Yet, I may not be
+outdone in generosity.  Therefore, in exchange for your hilt, monsieur,
+you shall have the whole length of my blade in your heart."
+
+"That, my Lord, is on the Knees of the Gods," I said.
+
+Then our swords fell to talking and our tongues were still.
+
+[Illustration: Then our swords fell to talking in the garden of the
+masked ball.]
+
+The turf was free of brush or trees; and, as I have already said, the
+illumination was so arranged that, practically, there were no shadows.
+The Garden seemed almost as bright as day; indeed, save that the light
+was white, we might, just as well, have been duelling at noon-tide as
+at midnight.
+
+It had not been hard to gather, from Lotzen's last remarks to his
+companion, what sort of a fight he proposed making; and, after the
+usual preliminary testing of strength, I contented myself with the
+simplest sort of defence and awaited the main attack.
+
+It seems hardly possible that two men could engage in a combat with
+rapiers, at such an occasion, and not draw a crowd.  There is something
+peculiarly penetrating about the ring of steel on steel at night.  Yet,
+such was the extent of the grounds and, so retired was our locality,
+that no strangers were attracted.  Almost at the first stroke, however,
+I heard exclamations from the direction of my companions.  In a moment,
+Courtney came running up, his drawn sword in hand--and the others after
+him.
+
+I had plenty of use for my eyes with the immediate business in hand;
+but, as I chanced to be facing them, I had a vision of Courtney--his
+mask off--leaning forward intently watching the fight.  Then, he calmly
+returned sword and drew back.
+
+I heard the Marquise exclaim: "_Mon Dieu_!  Someone is trying to kill
+His Highness--we must save him!"
+
+But Courtney clapped his hand over her mouth and silenced her.  Even in
+the press of the duel, I think, I smiled.
+
+"Your pardon, my dear Marquise," he said, loudly--so I would hear it, I
+knew--"His Highness needs no saving."
+
+Then I heard no more--for the Duke assumed the offensive fiercely and
+his sword began to move like lightning.  And well, indeed, was it, for
+me, that I had learned something of this gentle game of fence, else had
+that night been my last on Earth.
+
+Then, of a sudden, from out a sharp rally, came the first strokes of
+Moore's _coup_.  I had been expecting it.  I steadied myself to meet
+it, giving back just a trifle to lead Lotzen to think it was new to me.
+He pressed me hotly and, at length, the final position came--the way
+was open.
+
+"Take it!" he said, savagely--and sent the thrust that should have made
+good his promise to bury the whole blade in my heart.
+
+But his point never reached me--for, as his sword glided along mine,
+seemingly unopposed, I caught it exactly as Moore had shown me and
+wrenched with all the strength of my wrist and arm.
+
+There was a sharp grinding of steel; and then, like a thing alive, the
+Duke's sword left his hand, sped through the air and settled, thirty
+feet away, point downward in the turf, where it stuck, quivering and
+swaying like a reed in the wind.
+
+With a cry of sharp surprise, Lotzen sprang back and watched his sword
+as it circled and fell.  I moved a step toward him.  Then, he turned to
+me.
+
+"It seems, Monsieur le Coquin," he said softly, "that I was in error;
+and that it is the point of your sword and not the hilt I am to take.
+So be it."
+
+He draw himself up to attention, and raised his hand in salute.
+
+"I am waiting," he said calmly.
+
+Ferdinand of Lotzen was, doubtless, a bad lot.  Once that night he had
+given me to assassination; and, just now, he himself had deliberately
+tried to kill me.  He deserved no consideration; and, by every law of
+justification, could I, then and there, have driven my sword into his
+throat.  Maybe I wanted to do it, too.  We all are something of the
+savage at times.  And I think he fully expected to die.  He had told me
+frankly he purposed killing me, and he would not look for mercy,
+himself.  The dice had fallen against him.  He had lost.  And, like a
+true gambler, he was ready to pay stakes.  To give the fellow his due,
+he was brave; with the sort of bravery that meets death--when it
+must--with a smiling face and a steady eye.
+
+And, so, for a space, we stood.  He, erect and ready.  I, with hand on
+hip and point advanced.
+
+I heard the gasps of women--a sob or two--and then, the rustle of
+skirts, followed instantly by Courtney's soft command.
+
+"Stay, madame--the matter is for His Highness only to decide."
+
+Lotzen laughed lightly.
+
+"Strike, man," he said, "or the petticoats will steal me from you."
+
+I stepped back and shot my sword into its sheath.
+
+"Go," I ordered.  "I do not want your life.  Only, depart this house
+straightway, and take your bravoes with you.  They will have no other
+opportunity to-night.  And, mark you, sir, no further meeting with the
+Gypsy--now, nor hereafter."
+
+He bowed low.  "Monsieur is pleased to be generous," he sneered.
+
+But I gave him my back and, removing my mask, went over to my friends.
+
+The Marquise met me with a perfect gale of apologies.  But I laughed
+them aside, telling her it was I who stood in need of pardon for
+becoming involved in such a breach of hospitality.
+
+"Your Highness might have been killed," she insisted, woman-like.
+
+"But I wasn't," said I, "so, pray, think no more about it."
+
+Just then, Colonel Moore came up and, seeing us without our masks, he
+dropped his, also.  I watched Mademoiselle d'Essolde's greeting to him.
+It was all even he could have wished.
+
+"I think it is about the supper hour," said Lady Vierle.  "Let us go
+in."
+
+I offered her my arm and, masking again, we led the way.
+
+"Will Your Highness tell me something?" she asked immediately.  "Did
+you know your antagonist?"
+
+"I didn't see his face," I evaded.
+
+She looked at me quickly.  "Would it be better for me not to know?"
+
+"Yes," said I, "I think it would."
+
+There was, really, no reason why I should shield Lotzen; yet, neither
+was there any reason to rattle a family skeleton in public, and raise a
+scandal, which would run the Kingdom over and be the gossip of every
+Court in Europe.
+
+Then I lifted my mask so she could see my face.
+
+"And, my dear Lady Vierle," I said earnestly, "if you would do me a
+great favor, you will promise to forget all about this unfortunate
+incident."
+
+She, too, raised her mask and looked me frankly in the eyes.
+
+"I promise," she said.
+
+And I am sure she will keep her word.
+
+I knew I could leave it to Courtney and Moore to insure the silence of
+Lady Helen and Mademoiselle d'Essolde.
+
+We lingered at the table until far into the morning.  And, if Moore had
+any fault to find with his neighbor in blue, he was, indeed, a
+graceless grumbler.
+
+Lady Helen was on one side of me, and we recalled the ride we had
+together the morning shortly after the Birthday Ball, when we met the
+Princess at the Old Forge.
+
+"We never took that other ride we planned," I said--"the one to the Inn
+of the Twisted Pines."
+
+"You have never asked me," she said dryly.
+
+"Suppose we make it to-morrow at three," I suggested.
+
+"I ride with Mr. Courtney, then."
+
+"We will make a party of it," said I.  "The Princess returns this
+morning and we will add Mademoiselle d'Essolde and Colonel Moore."
+
+"But, the chaperon!"
+
+"Hang the chaperon--the grooms can suffice for that.  Besides, we shall
+be back before dark."
+
+"It will be jolly," she said.  Then she gave me a shrewd smile.  "But,
+how different from the ride as we planned it."
+
+I looked at Courtney.
+
+"He wasn't in it; was he?" I smiled.
+
+She leaned a bit nearer.  "Nor would you have assumed, then, to make
+engagements for the Princess Royal of Valeria without consulting her,"
+she replied.
+
+I laughed.  And I did not deny her inference.
+
+When Moore saluted and turned to leave me that night, I stopped him.
+
+"Colonel," said I, "I trust you enjoyed the supper."
+
+"It was the most delightful I have ever--_heard_," he said.
+
+
+
+
+XXIII
+
+AT THE INN OF THE TWISTED PINES
+
+I lunched with the King and the Princess Dehra as arranged.  Frederick
+left before the coffee, and Dehra ordered it served in her library.
+When the footman had brought it she dismissed him.
+
+"Now," said she, "come and tell me all about yourself."
+
+I went over and sat on the arm of her chair.  She lit a cigarette and
+put it between my lips--then, lit one for herself.
+
+"Do you remember the first time you did that?" I asked.
+
+"Yes," said she, "it was the night you flirted so outrageously with me
+in front of Lotzen."
+
+"I don't care what you call it, since we are not flirting now," said I.
+
+She took my hand between hers and smiled up at me.
+
+"And, maybe, it was not all flirting, then," she said.
+
+There are certain occasions which justify certain actions.  I thought
+this was one.
+
+Then I said: "Tell me about Lotzen's visit with you in the North."
+
+"He was there a week."
+
+"More's the pity," said I.
+
+"For him--yes."
+
+"For him?" I echoed.
+
+She nodded.  "I feel very sorry for Ferdinand."  Then she blushed.  "I
+think he does love me, Armand."
+
+"I can't blame him for that," said I.  "He's a queer sort if he
+doesn't."
+
+"Foolish!" she laughed, giving me a little tap with her fan.  "And you
+see, dear, he might have had a chance if you had not come."
+
+I bent down until her hair brushed my face.
+
+"And he has none now, sweetheart?" I said softly.
+
+"You know that he has not."
+
+"And does he know it?"
+
+"Yes--he knows it--now.  I told him the day he left."
+
+I was beginning to understand Lotzen's sudden change of demeanor toward
+me.
+
+"What did you tell him, little woman?" I asked.
+
+She looked up with a bright smile.
+
+"See how I've spoiled you," she said.
+
+"Then, spoil me just a little more," I urged.
+
+"Well--I told him it was you," she whispered.
+
+The understanding was growing rapidly.
+
+"And what did he say to that?"
+
+"I know, Armand, you don't like him; and, there, you may do him an
+injustice.  He said only the kindest things about you--that you were
+able, courteous, brave--a true Dalberg; and that, if it could not be
+he, he was glad it was you."
+
+I smiled.  "That was clever of him," I commented.
+
+"And he, too, does not believe the Spencer woman's story."
+
+"His cleverness grows," I laughed.  "It only remains for him to
+renounce his right to the Crown."
+
+"He said it was for the King to choose which was the worthier, and
+that, if it fell to you, he would serve you faithfully and well."
+
+I put my hand on her head and softly stroked her hair.
+
+"And you believed him, dear?" I asked.
+
+She looked up quickly.
+
+"Yes--I believed him.  I wanted to believe him--Did he deceive me?"
+
+"Listen," said I.  "He reached Dornlitz two days ago.  Yesterday
+afternoon he insulted me repeatedly in my office at Headquarters.  Last
+night I attended the Vierle Masque.  While in the Garden I was struck
+in the back with a dagger."
+
+"Stabbed!" she exclaimed, and clutched my arm.
+
+"No, dear--not even scratched, thanks to Bernheim's steel vest I was
+wearing.  Half an hour later, our cousin of Lotzen, with Mrs. Spencer
+on his arm, met me, alone, in a retired part of the Garden, forced a
+duel, and did his level best to run me through, by a trick of fence he
+thought he, alone knew."
+
+"And, again, the vest saved you?"
+
+"No--I was fortunate enough to disarm him."
+
+"Glorious, dear, glorious!" she exclaimed.  And tears filled her eyes.
+
+And, as it was I that had caused them, it was but fair that I should
+take them away.
+
+Then she made me go over the whole story in detail.
+
+"Of course you will tell the King," said she.
+
+"Maybe," said I.  "I've not decided yet."
+
+She got up.  "There is just time for me to get into riding dress," she
+said.  "But, first; this is Thursday--if you do not tell His Majesty of
+Lotzen's perfidy by Saturday, I shall do it, myself."
+
+And I knew she would--so I made no protest.
+
+"Put on the green habit and the plumed hat, dear," I said, as I held
+back the door.
+
+I have always liked green--the dark rich green of the forest's
+depth--and, if there were anything more lovely than the Princess Dehra,
+when she came back to me, it is quite beyond my Imagination to conceive
+it.  He is a poor lover, indeed, who does not think his sweetheart
+fair; yet, he would have been a poor sort of man, who would not have
+been at one with me, that afternoon.
+
+And I told her so--but she called me "Foolish!" once again, and ran
+from me to the private exit of her suite, where our four companions
+were awaiting us.  But I had my reward; for she waved the groom aside
+and let me swing her into saddle and fix her skirt.
+
+How easy it is for a clever woman to manage a man--if she care to try.
+
+It was a beautiful afternoon--the road was soft and the track smooth.
+Much of it led through woodland and along a brawling stream.  The
+horses were of the sort that delight the soul--I doubt if there were
+six better saddlers in the whole Kingdom of Valeria.  I know there were
+no prettier women, and, I think, no happier men.
+
+We passed many people--mainly country-men--and they all knew the
+Princess and loved her--bless her!--if their greetings went for aught.
+Me, they eyed with frank curiosity; and, more than once, I caught the
+drift of their comments.
+
+"A pretty pair," said one, as Dehra and I drew near, our horses on a
+walk.
+
+"It's a pity he has a wife," the other answered.  And Dehra frowned.
+
+"They match up well," said a fellow, as we paused a moment at a spring
+beside a small road house.
+
+I glanced at Dehra; and got a smile in return.
+
+"That they do.  He does not look like a foreigner," was the answer.
+
+"He is Dalberg on the outside, anyway," said a third.
+
+"Then, he is Dalberg inside, too--it starts there, with them," said the
+first.
+
+And so it went, until we reached the Inn of the Twisted Pines.
+
+It was an old log and plaster building; of many gables and small
+windows; standing back a trifle from the road, with a high-walled yard
+on all four sides.  I had taken the precaution, that morning, to
+dispatch an orderly to apprise the landlord of our coming; and every
+human being about the place was drawn up within the enclosure to greet
+us.  Old Boniface met us at the gateway and held my stirrup as I
+dismounted.
+
+"My poor house has had no such honor," he said, "since the time the
+Great Henry stopped for breakfast on his return from the Titian War."
+
+"Well, my good man," said I, "you doubtless don't recollect the Great
+Henry's visit, but, if your supper is what we hope for, I promise you
+we will honor it as highly as he did that breakfast."
+
+"Your Highness shall be served this instant."
+
+"Give us half an hour and a place to get rid of this dust," said I.
+
+I fancy the Inn had been changed but little since old Henry's day; and
+the big room, where our table was spread, certainly not at all.  The
+oak floor was bare and worn into ruts and ridges--the great beam
+rafters overhead were chocolate color from smoke and age--the huge
+fireplace and the wall above it were black as a half-burnt back log.
+But the food!  My mouth waters now at the thought of it.  No crazy
+French concoctions of frothy indigestibleness; but good, sweet
+cooking--the supper one gets among the old families of Maryland or
+Virginia.  It took me back more than a score of years to my young days
+on the dear old Eastern Shore.
+
+And, in the midst of it, came the jolly Boniface, bearing, as carefully
+as a mother does her first-born, three long bottles, cobwebbed and
+dirty.  Eighty years had they been lying in the wine-bin of the Inn,
+guarding their treasure of Imperial Tokay.  Now, their ward was
+ended--and the supper was complete; though, in truth, it had been
+complete before.
+
+And, when we had eaten the supper and had drunk most of the Tokay, we
+freshened up the glasses with what remained.  Then, arising, I gave the
+toast which all could drink:
+
+"To the one we love the best!"
+
+But, even as we drained it, there came through the open window the
+clatter of horse's hoofs and, as the glasses smashed to bits among the
+chimney stones, the door swung open and my senior Aide entered, hot and
+dusty.
+
+He caught my eye, halted sharply, and his hand went up in salute.
+
+"Welcome, Colonel Bernheim," I said.
+
+Again he saluted; then drew out an envelope and handed it to me.
+
+"Important papers for Your Highness," he said.  "They were received at
+Headquarters after your departure and, as they required action
+to-night, I thought it best to follow you."
+
+With a word of apology, I walked over to the nearest window and slowly
+read the letters.  There were two and they were very brief.  Then I
+read them again--and yet again.
+
+Those at the table had, of course, resumed their talk, but Bernheim
+still stood at attention.  I motioned him to me.
+
+"These are copies," I said.
+
+"I made them, sir, from the originals--while they were en route," he
+added with a dry smile.
+
+"And the originals?"
+
+"Each was delivered promptly."
+
+"You have no doubt of their genuineness?" I asked.
+
+"Absolutely none--though, of course, I know only the handwriting of the
+answer."
+
+"Well done," said I; "well done!"  Then I read the two papers again.
+
+"Do you think he means it?" I asked, tapping the smaller paper.
+
+"After last night, undoubtedly.  And you must be there, sir--you and a
+witness," said Bernheim.
+
+I thought a bit--then I took out my watch.  It was just six o'clock.
+
+"There is ample time," said I; "and it's worth the try.  Can it be
+arranged, do you think?"
+
+Bernheim's face brightened.  "It can, sir.  If it's the room I think it
+is, there will be no difficulty; and we can depend on the manager--he
+has been well trained by the Secret Police.  You will come?"
+
+"Yes, I'll come; but they come, too," and I nodded toward the table.
+
+"Better bring only Courtney, sir," he urged.
+
+"No," said I; "several witnesses will be needed.  And, besides, I want
+them out of satisfaction to myself."
+
+"It may wreck the whole business," he persisted.
+
+"I'll risk it," said I.
+
+Bernheim was wise.  He always seemed to know when to quit.
+
+"Very good, sir," he said.  "How soon do we start?"
+
+I put my hand on his shoulder.
+
+"You are a perfect treasure, Bernheim," I said.  "Come, we will start
+at once.  Is your horse good for a fast ride back?"
+
+"Entirely, sir."
+
+"Then you can give me the story on the way," I said.  "Meanwhile, get
+some refreshment."
+
+I went back to the table--and it was amusing how suddenly the
+conversation ceased and everyone looked at me.  I smiled reassuringly
+at Dehra, for there was concern in her eyes.
+
+"Four of you," said I--"you, Princess; and you, Lady Helen; and you,
+Courtney; and you, Moore, were present at--and you, Mademoiselle
+d'Essolde, have heard of--a certain supper party on the Hanging Garden,
+some weeks back, whereat a certain woman proclaimed herself my wife.
+That was the first act in a play which has been progressing ever since.
+The plot has thickened lately--as witness the duel at the Masque, last
+night.  And now, unless I greatly err, the last act is set for this
+evening.  If you care to see it I shall be glad for your
+company."--Then I laughed.  "A long speech," said I; "but it sounded
+well."
+
+"And promises best of all," said Courtney.
+
+Then I ordered the horses; and, while we waited, I gave the letters to
+Courtney.
+
+"Read them," I said.  "The originals passed through Bernheim's hands
+this afternoon--'while en route,' as he puts it."
+
+He read them carefully.
+
+"You contemplate giving them an audience?" he asked.
+
+"Exactly that," said I.
+
+"Is it feasible?"
+
+"Bernheim says it is."
+
+He looked at me thoughtfully, a moment.  "It would be a great stroke to
+have the King there," he said.
+
+"I'll make a try for him," I answered; "but the time is very short."
+
+It was ten miles to Dornlitz, and we did it in an hour.  On the way, I
+explained the whole situation to the Princess and read her the letters.
+She was amazed--and her indignation was intense.  Nor did she hesitate
+to express it freely before Bernheim.  And I saw his stern face break
+into a glad smile.  It told him much.
+
+At the Palace we drew rein.
+
+"Be at the Hotel Metzen at eight forty-five," said I.  "Come by the
+Court entrance--you will be expected."
+
+Then they rode away, and I hastened to the King.
+
+As good luck would have it, Frederick was in his cabinet and received
+me instantly.  He read the letters and looked at me inquiringly.
+
+"It means a plain talk between them," I explained; "and I propose to
+hear it.  I am, sure it would interest Your Majesty--much happened
+yesterday."  And I told him of the Vierle Masque.
+
+Frederick frowned a bit--thought longer--then smiled.
+
+"I don't much fancy eaves-dropping; but, sometimes, the end justifies
+the means," he said.  "I'll join you."
+
+"There will be other witnesses, Sire," I said--and named them.
+
+"I don't like it," he said.
+
+"I can stop them," I suggested.
+
+He considered.  "No," said he, "I understand why you want them.  I'll
+come--they will be discreet.  And the Princess would wish it so.  I'll
+bring her, myself."
+
+Then I rode to the Metzen.  Bernheim had preceded me and, with the
+manager of the Hotel, awaited me at a side door.  The corridor was
+dimly lighted but I drew my cape well over my face and, is a moment, we
+were in a small reception room.
+
+"Monsieur Gerst," said I to the manager, "I need your assistance."
+
+Gerst bowed very low.
+
+"Your Royal Highness has but to command," he said.
+
+I was quite sure of that, however.  An Archduke of Valeria would have
+been quite enough, but the Governor of Dornlitz was beyond refusal.  I
+could have closed his Hotel by a word, and there would have been no
+appeal.
+
+"Thank you, monsieur," I said.  "You have as a guest, a certain Madame
+Armand Dalberg."
+
+"A guest by Your Highness's express permission, you will remember," he
+said.
+
+"Very true," said I.  "Now, this Madame Dalberg expects a visitor
+to-night at nine o'clock."
+
+He gave me a quick glance.
+
+"You know him?" I asked.
+
+"No, Your Highness.  I only know madame gave orders to admit no one
+to-night except a gentleman who would come at nine."
+
+I nodded.  "It's the same," said I.  "And what I want, is to hear all
+that occurs between Madame Dalberg and this visitor."
+
+Gerst smiled.  "That will be easily arranged, Your Highness--the place
+is already provided."
+
+"The concealed Gallery?" asked Bernheim, quickly?
+
+"Yes, Colonel."  Then, to me, he explained: "Madame's reception room
+was once a part of a small, state dining-room.  Back of the end wall
+runs a gallery where guests sat to listen to the speeches.  It is
+there, now--and the tapestries, with which the walls are hung,
+completely hide it."
+
+"It can be reached from the floor above?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, Your Highness; a narrow stairway admits to it."
+
+"Can we enter without being overheard by those in the room below?"
+
+"Very readily, sir; the gallery was so designed that its noises would
+not disturb those in the dining-room."
+
+"We are in good luck, Bernheim," I said.
+
+"We shall need all of it, sir, with eight spectators."
+
+And he was right.  It was foolish to risk success for only a
+sentimental reason.  I knew, perfectly well, the proper course was for
+no one but the King and myself to be in the gallery; yet, there entered
+my Dalberg stubbornness.  I purposed that some of those, who had seen
+me accused that night on the Hanging Garden, should see me exculpated
+to-night.
+
+It may be, that some will question the propriety of my action, and the
+good taste of those who were my guests.  As to the latter, it must be
+borne in mind that my invitation was in the nature of a command, which
+it would have been vastly discourteous to decline.  And, besides, they
+were my friends.  As for myself, I have no excuses to offer--and,
+methinks, I need none.  The situation had long passed the refinement of
+ethics.  It was war; and war not of my declaring.  Neither was I
+responsible for the style of the campaign.  Madeline Spencer deserved
+no consideration from me--and no more did her visitor.
+
+
+
+
+XXIV
+
+THE END OF THE PLAY
+
+I had, yet, an hour to spare, so Bernheim and I returned to the Epsau.
+I donned the evening uniform of the Red Huzzars, with the broad Ribbon
+of the Lion across my breast and the Cincinnati around my neck.  I was
+minded to be the Dalberg Archduke to-night.
+
+Then, having dispatched Bernheim to the Palace to escort the King and
+the Princess, I drove to the Metzen, where Gerst piloted me, by private
+corridors, to the apartments reserved for me, and which adjoined the
+Gallery.
+
+The King and the Princess were the last to arrive.  As I greeted them,
+Dehra detained me.
+
+"Shall we be able to see as well as hear?" she asked.
+
+"Yes," said I, "if you wish."
+
+"I do wish," she said.  "I'm savage to-night."
+
+I laughed.  "It's very becoming, dear."
+
+Then the great bell of the Cathedral began to chime the hour; and, with
+a word of caution, I led the way to the Gallery.
+
+The floor was covered with a thick carpet and eight small chairs were
+placed close to the railing.  The tapestry was very old and thin and,
+by putting one's face close to it, the room below was rather dimly, yet
+quite sufficiently, visible.  Its dimensions were unusually
+ample--possibly forty feet by sixty--and its furnishings most gorgeous.
+The chandelier and side-lights were burning, and a huge vase lamp, pink
+shaded, was on the large table in the centre.  At the moment, the room
+was untenanted.
+
+In a little while a door opposite the Gallery opened and Madeline
+Spencer entered.
+
+A woman usually knows her good points physically and how to bring them
+out.  And Mrs. Spencer was an adept in the art--though, in truth,
+little art was needed.  To her, Nature had been over generous.
+
+She affected black; and that was her gown, now--cut daringly low and
+without a jot of color about it, save the dead white of her arms and
+shoulders, and a huge bunch of violets at her waist.
+
+I thought I could guess whence the flowers came.  And, though I
+despised her, yet, I could but admit her dazzling beauty.
+
+She moved slowly about the room, touching an ornament here, a picture
+there.  At length, she came to the table and, dropping languidly into a
+chair, rested her elbow on the arm and, with chin in hand, stared into
+vacancy.
+
+Presently, there was a sharp knock at the corridor door.  She glanced
+quickly at the clock--then, picked up a book and, sinking back in easy
+posture, assumed to read.
+
+"Entrez," she called, without looking up.
+
+The door opened instantly and a man entered.  A long military cloak was
+over his plain evening dress; one fold was raised to hide his face.  He
+dropped it as he closed the door.
+
+Mrs. Spencer lowered her book--then arose with all the sinuous grace
+she knew so well how to assume.
+
+"Welcome, Your Royal Highness," she said, and curtsied very low.  "It
+was good of you to come."
+
+The Duke of Lotzen tossed off his cloak--and, coming quickly over, took
+her hand and kissed it.
+
+"It was more than good of you to let me come," he answered.
+
+"I feared you might not get my note," she said.  "I believe I am under
+constant surveillance."
+
+He smiled.  "Even the Secret Police would hesitate to tamper with my
+mail," he said.
+
+"That was my hope," she answered.
+
+He looked at her steadily, a moment.
+
+"I am always ready to be a--hope to you," he said.
+
+She dropped her eyes--then picked up a cigarette case from the table.
+
+"Will Your Royal Highness smoke?" she asked.
+
+"If you will light it for me."
+
+(The Princess pressed my hand.  I understood.)
+
+Mrs. Spencer touched the cigarette to the tiny alcohol name; then
+offered it to the Duke.
+
+"Someone has spoiled you," she said lightly.
+
+Lotzen took her hand and, with it, put the cigarette between his lips.
+
+"Unfortunately, no," he answered.  "But I once saw a pretty woman do
+that for another man."
+
+(Again Dehra pressed my fingers.)
+
+"And did he hold her hand afterward?" she asked--freeing her own from
+the Duke's.
+
+"They were not alone," he said--and tried to take it again.
+
+But she put both hands behind her.
+
+"Come, Your Highness, this is not the Masque," she said.  But there was
+no reproof in her tones.
+
+"Tell me," said he; "how did you know me, last night?"
+
+"What matters it?  Particularly, since it was only because you knew me
+that you spoke."
+
+"You think I was searching for you?" he asked.
+
+She blew a cloud of smoke under the lamp shade and watched it float out
+at the top.
+
+"Were you?" she asked.
+
+"If I said yes, would it please you?"
+
+"Not unless I thought it true, monsieur--and, also, knew the reason."
+
+He looked at her steadily a moment.
+
+"What better reason could I have than that you are the most beautiful
+woman in Valeria?"
+
+She put her fan before her face.
+
+"Your Highness's compliment is very delicate," she laughed.
+
+"It wasn't meant for a compliment," he answered.  "If you have looked
+in your mirror, to-night, you know I speak the simple truth."
+
+She got up and went over to a great glass, on the opposite wall.
+Lotzen followed her, and they stood there, a bit, looking in it.
+
+"You like me in black?" she asked, smiling at him in the mirror.
+
+"I like you in anything," he answered--and made as though to put his
+arm around her waist.
+
+She swung quickly away from him--just out of reach.
+
+"Even in a gypsy dress?" she asked.
+
+"It was charming--but, I think I prefer this," and he nodded toward her
+gleaming shoulders.
+
+She made a gesture of dissent, and they went back to the table.  Lotzen
+drew a small chair close and sat staring at her.  She studied her fan
+and waited.
+
+Then he hooked his hands about his knee and leaned back.
+
+"Do you know," he said, "it's a crying shame you are married to my dear
+cousin."
+
+She looked him full in the face--and smiled.
+
+"Why didn't you make me a widow, then, last night, when you had the
+chance?"
+
+Lotzen shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"The chance was all right, but the end was bad--though you didn't stay
+to see it."
+
+She laughed.  "Didn't I?  I stayed long enough to see your sword
+sticking in the turf.  I took that to be the end--was there more of it,
+later?"
+
+"No; that was the end--for that time."
+
+"And for that particular method, I fancy," said she.  "He wields a
+pretty blade."
+
+"Had you known it?" he asked.
+
+"He was the best swordsman in the American Army," she answered.
+
+"Ordinarily, that does not mean much," said Lotzen.  "But, as a matter
+of fact, so far as I know, he has got only one superior in Europe."
+
+"Then why not get that chap to fight him?"
+
+The Duke laughed.
+
+"I would be very willing to; only, the chap happens to be that infernal
+Irish adventurer, Moore, who is on his Staff."
+
+"Why don't you try it again, yourself?" she asked.
+
+He tapped his cigarette carefully against the ash receiver.
+
+"Because I'm not yet tired of life," he said.  "I know when I have met
+my master."
+
+"But, one of your thrusts might go home," she insisted.
+
+He looked at her with an amused smile.
+
+"Yes--it might," he said.  "But, you see, my dear girl, what troubles
+me are the many thrusts he has, any one of which would be sure to go
+home in me."
+
+"You seem to have escaped, last night," she observed.
+
+"Purely by his favor--even luck hadn't a finger in it."
+
+"But discretion had," she remarked.  "He would not dare kill you."
+
+Lotzen shook his head.
+
+"You don't seem to know this husband of yours.  A Dalberg will dare
+anything."
+
+"Some Dalbergs," she scoffed.
+
+The Duke flushed.
+
+"I'm doing badly--you think me a coward," he said.
+
+"Oh, no, Prince--only carefully discreet;" and she leaned back and
+slowly fanned herself.
+
+He looked at her for a bit.
+
+"Are you aware, my dear, that you are conniving at--some might call it
+instigating--the death of your husband?" he asked.
+
+She smiled.  "Am I?"
+
+"It is a very extraordinary situation," he said, blowing a ring of
+smoke and watching it circle away.  "You are so tired of him you want
+him killed; he seems equally tired of you, and, moreover, he is
+determined to marry another woman.  Yet, neither of you gets a
+divorce--and you actually follow him here--and he, then, actually
+refuses to let you depart."
+
+The fan kept moving slowly.
+
+"A very extraordinary situation, indeed, Your Highness,--as you state
+it," she said.
+
+"As I state it?" he echoed.
+
+She nodded.  "You have omitted the one material fact in the case."
+
+"And what is that?" he asked.
+
+The fan stopped, and she laughed lightly.
+
+"Simply this: I am not Armand Dalberg's wife."
+
+(Dehra reached over and took my hand.  The King looked at us both and
+nodded; then clapped me on the knee.)
+
+For a space, Lotzen stared at Mrs. Spencer--and she smiled sweetly back
+at him.
+
+"Not his wife!" he ejaculated, presently.
+
+Her smile became a laugh.
+
+"No, monsieur; not his wife."
+
+This time, Lotzen's stare was even longer.  Then, suddenly, he laughed.
+
+"I thought, for a moment, you actually meant it," he said.
+
+She put both elbows on the table and leaned forward.
+
+"Come, monsieur, let us be frank with each other," she said.  "Not only
+am I not Armand Dalberg's wife, but you have always known it."
+
+He frowned.  "My dear girl," he said, "I've been sorrowfully accepting
+your own word that you are his wife; how should I know that you've
+been----" he hesitated.
+
+She finished it for him--
+
+"Lying, Duke, lying," she laughed.
+
+He held up his hands, protestingly.
+
+"Not at all, my dear; teasing is the word I wanted."
+
+She lay back in the chair and laughed softly to herself.
+
+"Do you fancy the Grand Duke Armand would call it teasing?" she asked.
+
+He joined in the laugh.
+
+"The victim never sees the joke," he said.
+
+She sat up sharply.
+
+"So, then, it was intended only as a joke?" she exclaimed.  "I thought
+it had another object."
+
+He frowned again.
+
+"I don't quite follow you," he said.
+
+She looked at him with a queer smile.
+
+"My being brought to Valeria to pose as his wife," she explained.
+
+"You don't mean you came here from America expressly for that purpose?"
+he asked.
+
+Her smile grew broader.
+
+"Really, Duke, you are most delicious," she said.  "Armand Dalberg told
+me, the other day, that I played my part beautifully--he should see
+you.  You are a _premier artiste_."
+
+"Madame flatters me," Lotzen answered with soft irony; then tried for
+her hand--and failed.
+
+"Well, you may take it so," said she; "but, believe me, your cousin
+didn't mean it so, to me."
+
+He moved over and sat on the edge of the table near her.
+
+She leaned far back and put her hands behind her.
+
+"Come, my dear, don't be so mysterious," he said.
+
+"Let us be frank, as you suggest.  You say you are not Armand's
+wife--that, I am only too glad to believe; I am delighted.  You say I
+have always known it--that, of course, is a mistake.  You say I am
+playing a part, now--that, I don't understand."
+
+"_Premier artiste_, surely," she laughed.  Then, suddenly, grew sober.
+"By all means, let us have a frank talk," she said.  "It was for that I
+asked you here to-night--But, first, light me a cigarette, and then go
+and sit down in that chair."
+
+"Buy me with a smile," he said.
+
+She bought him--then he did her bidding.
+
+"I was silly enough to hope it was only I that you wanted to see," he
+said.
+
+"My note gave no ground for such hopes, Your Highness," she said.  "I
+told you exactly what I wanted--to discuss a matter of immediate
+importance."
+
+"Oh, yes, I know--but then I was still thinking of the Masque."
+
+She looked at him naively.  "Surely, Duke, you are old enough to know
+that, of all follies, a Masque is chiefest and dies with the break of
+day."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders.  "I am learning it, now, at any rate."
+
+"And, don't forget, it was you who ended the pleasant promenade, to
+pick a quarrel with the--Masque in Black."
+
+"But with full purpose to resume it in a moment."
+
+"After you had killed him?  Very likely!  Your sole thought would have
+been to get away."
+
+"And to take you with me," he added.
+
+She laughed.  "Nonsense, Duke; besides, I would not have gone."
+
+"And the promenade?" he asked.
+
+"With the Black Masque dead the promenade would have been no longer
+necessary."
+
+"Oh," said he: "I'm beginning to understand.  You met me last night for
+a particular purpose; and that, being frustrated by the duel, is the
+reason for the appointment here this evening."
+
+She was leaning idly back, and the fan had resumed its languid motions.
+
+"Your Highness has stated it with charming exactness," she said.
+
+His face grew stern; and I saw the hand, that hung beside his chair,
+clench sharply.  Mrs. Spencer saw it, too.
+
+"Don't be angry, Duke," she laughed.  "Be grateful for the privilege it
+gives you of being here to-night."
+
+Lotzen got up sharply and took a step toward the door.
+
+"Going, Your Highness?" asked that softly-caressing voice.
+
+He swung around.  "No, I'm not going," he said--and sat down.  "A man
+would be a fool to leave you just because you treated him heartlessly."
+
+This time, she lit the cigarette, voluntarily, and, leaning over, put
+it between his lips.
+
+"Is that the way you saw it done?" she asked.
+
+He seized her hand and held it for a moment; but, when he bent over it,
+she whisked it quickly away.
+
+"Now, for the frank talk," she laughed.
+
+"By all means," he said--and settled back to listen.
+
+She toyed with her cigarette; blowing the smoke at the shade and
+watching it rush out at the top.  It seemed to be a favorite trick of
+hers.
+
+"Of course, Your Highness is aware that, by order of the Governor of
+Dornlitz, I am kept a prisoner within the walls of the inner city."
+
+Lotzen bowed.  "So, I have been informed."
+
+"I have tried every possible means to escape: disguise, bribes,
+flattery--and all of no avail.  My every motion is watched.  I am
+dogged by half the Secret Police of the Capital.  I'm not even sure of
+the fidelity of my own maid."
+
+"You poor child," said Lotzen.
+
+"I am sick of this sort of life.  It's worse than a prison cell.  And
+it's got to end--and that, promptly.  I sought you, last night, at the
+Masque to tell you that you must get me away and out of this miserable
+Country.  I have completed my bargain; it is now for you to complete
+yours."
+
+The Duke's face took on a look of perplexity.
+
+"My dear girl," he said, "I haven't the remotest notion what you mean
+by your bargain and mine; but, I'm very ready to aid you to escape.
+The difficulty is, I have absolutely no power over a single soldier or
+official in Dornlitz.  The Governor's orders are absolute--none but the
+King can reverse them.  And, alas! at this moment, I have very little
+influence with His Majesty."
+
+"Then, you decline to aid me?" she asked, very quietly--the smoke was
+again going through the lamp shade.
+
+"On the contrary, I am ready to do anything I can; but, I fear, I'm
+powerless.  Indeed, if you're under the close surveillance you
+indicate, it would be about impossible.  And I know whereof I speak.
+You would be no more immune in my carriage than in a public cab.  Even
+if I were beside you, you could not pass the gates.  It might, however,
+be effected in some way I cannot scheme, on the instant.  I will
+investigate and, if I can devise any method, I shall do my utmost to
+release you."
+
+She straightened up--and the fan quit its beating.
+
+"That sounds well--and may mean well; but, it's short of the mark,"
+said she.  "I am determined not to remain in this town another day.
+You must get me away before to-morrow night."
+
+"Impossible!" Lotzen exclaimed.  "You know not what you ask."
+
+She looked at him coldly.
+
+"Very good, Your Highness," she said.  "I have given you your chance.
+I have played fair with you.  Now, we are quits."
+
+"And you don't want my aid?" he asked.
+
+"Not unless it's given before noon to-morrow."
+
+He raised his hands.
+
+"There are only two people in the world who could get you out of
+Dornlitz by noon to-morrow--the King and the Governor."
+
+"Exactly," said she.  "And, to one of them, I shall go in the morning."
+
+"Better try Frederick," Lotzen laughed.  "He has a weak side for a
+pretty woman."
+
+(I did not look at the King--but I heard him sniff angrily.)
+
+"No--I shall try the Governor," she returned.  "He told me, one day, in
+his office, that, when I acknowledged that I was not his wife and that
+the marriage certificate was false, I would be permitted to leave the
+Kingdom."  She paused, a moment.  "Does Your Highness wish me to go to
+the Governor?"
+
+I thought the Duke would weaken--but, as usual, I got a surprise.
+
+"My dear girl," said he, "I shall be heartbroken if you leave
+Valeria--but, if that is all you need to do to be free to go--and you
+are not, in fact, Armand Dalberg's wife--then I am surprised that you
+have not done it long ago."
+
+She smiled, rather sadly.
+
+"Yes, I fancy you are.  I'm rather surprised myself.  It would sound
+queer, to some people in America, but I have actually tried, for once
+in my life, to keep faith to the end.  But it is as I always
+thought--not worth the while.  I'll know better again."
+
+Then, she got up and, going behind her chair, leaned over the back.
+
+"Does Your Highness realize what my going to the Governor means to
+you?" she asked.
+
+"I don't seem to be able to follow your argument," he said; "and I'm a
+poor guesser of riddles."
+
+"It means that I shall have to tell the whole ugly story of how I
+chanced to come to Dornlitz to pose as the wife of the Grand Duke
+Armand."
+
+He took a fresh cigarette and carefully lit it.  "But, my dear girl,"
+he said, "I don't see how that would affect me?"
+
+She laughed.
+
+"Still the _premier artiste_!  Well, play it out.  If you want to hear
+what you already know it's no trouble to tell you.  Shall I begin at
+the very beginning?"
+
+"By all means!" said he.  "Maybe, then, I can catch the point."
+
+"Listen," said she.  "For many years I have known Armand Dalberg.  One
+day, several months ago, there came a man to me, in the City of New
+York.  How he happened to find me is no matter.  He spoke English
+perfectly--though I thought he was a Frenchman.  The name on his card
+was Herbert Wilkes; but, I knew that was assumed, and I have learned,
+lately, who he is.  Since you, too, know, it is quite unnecessary to
+repeat it.  His offer to me was this: If I would go immediately to
+Dornlitz and publicly claim the American, Armand Dalberg--who had just
+been restored to his rightful place as a Grand Duke of Valeria--as my
+husband, I was to receive an enormous sum of money (the amount Your
+Highness also knows) and all expenses.  I accepted instantly, mainly
+for the money; but, also, to satisfy a personal grudge I had against
+Major Dalberg.  I made the one condition, however, that a marriage
+certificate must be procured--the date for which I gave; choosing one
+on which I happened to know Major Dalberg was in New York.  And it was
+done.  How, I neither knew nor cared.  One-half the money was given me
+in advance--the balance to be paid the day I executed my mission.  I
+received it the morning following that scene at the Grand Duke's supper
+party at the Hanging Garden.  And, God knows, I earned every cent of
+it!  I was guaranteed protection while in Valeria, and to be at liberty
+to depart one week after I had made the public assertion of the
+marriage and had exhibited the certificate."
+
+She paused.
+
+"Now, perchance, Your Highness understands the matter," she added, and
+smiled sweetly.
+
+He flecked the ash from his cigarette and shook his head.
+
+"I understand no more than I did at first, how this plot against the
+Grand Duke Armand affects me," he said.
+
+"Of course, it may not occur to Your Highness--but it doubtless would
+to the King--who, of all living creatures, would be most benefited and
+who most injured by my marriage story.  However, if you are not my
+employer, then, it will not hurt you.  And, as I cannot imagine who
+else it could be, I shall simply fling the whole business overboard; go
+to the Governor to-morrow; tell the truth; endorse on the marriage
+certificate the fact of its falseness; give it to him--and take the
+first train for Paris--And, I fancy, I shall read the betrothal notice
+of the Princess Royal of Valeria and the Grand Duke Armand before I've
+been there a week."
+
+Lotzen got up and went over to her.
+
+"Do you know you are a very clever woman?" he said.
+
+She looked archly up at him.
+
+"You will enable me to escape?" she asked.
+
+He took her hand--and, this time, it was not withdrawn.
+
+"I will do my best," he said; "but, it's a fierce risk for me.  If
+detected, it would mean, at the very least, a year's banishment."
+
+She smiled.
+
+"It would mean something more than that if I told my story," she said.
+
+"I'm doing it for you; not from fear of the story," he said softly.
+
+"It's nicer, that way, isn't it?" she asked.
+
+He put his arm around her--and she let him kiss her, once.  Then, she
+drew away.
+
+"Sit down and let us talk it over," she said.
+
+The King got up suddenly.
+
+"Come along, Armand," he said, and hurried from the Gallery.
+
+I followed him, without a word--for none was needed.  The end of
+Lotzen's game was very near, indeed.
+
+In the lower corridor, we met a servant.
+
+"Show us to the apartments of Madame Dalberg," Frederick ordered.
+
+A dozen steps brought us to a large double door.
+
+"This is the entrance, Your Majesty," said the man.
+
+The King rapped sharply.  There was no prompt answer and he rapped
+again.
+
+In a moment, the door was opened by Mrs. Spencer's maid.
+
+"Madame is not at home," she said mechanically.
+
+Without a word Frederick brushed her aside and stepped quickly in--and
+I after him.
+
+Mrs. Spencer sat facing the door and saw us enter.  It is inconceivable
+that she should not have been surprised, and, yet, she betrayed
+absolutely no sign of it.  Indeed, one would have thought we were
+expected guests.  Truly, she was a very wonderful woman.
+
+She said something, very low, to the Duke; then, came forward and
+curtsied to the King.
+
+"Your Majesty honors me overmuch," she said.  And then to me--"Does
+this really mean that Your Royal Highness has at last decided to
+acknowledge me?"
+
+Meanwhile, Lotzen had arisen and was standing stiffly at attention, his
+eyes on the King.  I thought his face was a trifle pale--and I did not
+wonder.
+
+Frederick laughed, curtly, and motioned for her to rise.
+
+"The play is over, Mrs. Spencer," he said.  "We will have no more
+acting, if you please."
+
+She straightened, instantly.
+
+"Your Majesty is pleased to be discourteous--but it seems to be a
+Dalberg characteristic," she sneered.  Then she broke out angrily:
+"And, as neither you nor that renegade there,"--indicating me with a
+nod and a look,--"was invited here, I take it I am quite justified in
+requesting you both to depart.  You may be a King, but that gives you
+no privilege to force your way into a woman's apartments and insult
+her.  You are a brave gentleman, surely, and a worthy monarch.  I
+suppose you brought your pet to protect you lest I offer you violence.
+Well, I'll give him the chance."
+
+Even as she said it, like a flash, she seized a heavy glass vase from
+the table and hurled it straight at the King.
+
+It was not a woman's throw.  Madeline Spencer had learned the man's
+swing, in her Army days, and, had the vase struck home, the chances are
+there would have been a new King in Dornlitz, that night.
+
+And such was Lotzen's thought, for he smiled wickedly and glanced at me.
+
+But, quick though she was, the King was quicker.  He jerked his head
+aside.  The vase missed him by the fraction of an inch and crashed to
+bits against the opposite wall.
+
+Frederick turned and looked at the fragments, and at the cut in the
+hangings.
+
+"Madame is rather muscular," he observed, dryly.
+
+"And Your Majesty is a clever dodger," she said, with sneering
+indifference--then leaned back against the table, a hand on either side
+of her.
+
+"Is it possible you are not going?" she asked.
+
+The King smiled.  "Presently, my dear madame, presently.  Meanwhile, I
+pray you, have consideration for the ornaments and the wall."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"As I cannot expect the servants to forcibly eject their King, and as
+the Duke of Lotzen dare not, I presume I'll have to submit to your
+impertinent intrusion.  Pray, let me know your business here--I assume
+it is business--and get it ended quickly.  I will expedite it all I
+may.  Anything, to be rid of you and that popinjay in red beside you."
+
+"Your husband, madame," the King observed.
+
+"Aye, my husband, for a time," she answered.
+
+"Aye, Mrs. Spencer, your husband for a time--for a purpose--and for a
+consideration."
+
+She opened her eyes wide.
+
+"Indeed!" she laughed.  "I thought the acting was over, Sire."
+
+Frederick's manner changed.
+
+"It is," he said sharply.  "We will come to the point.  Have you ink
+and pen?"
+
+"Is that what you came for?" she sneered.  "Have you none at the
+Palace?"
+
+"Quite enough to sign an order within an hour for your incarceration if
+you continue obdurate," he answered.
+
+"A kingly threat, truly," she mocked.  "And, what if I be not obdurate?"
+
+"Then it will be an order permitting you to leave Valeria at once."
+
+"Now, Your Majesty interests me," she said.  "I have been waiting for
+that a month and more.  What is the price for this order?"
+
+"Simply the truth, madame," said the King.
+
+"Sometimes, the truth is the highest price one can pay," she answered.
+
+"It will be very easy here," he said.  "You have a paper purporting to
+be a certificate of marriage between you and Armand Dalberg."
+
+She inclined her head.
+
+"On it you will endorse that it is a false certificate; that you are
+not and never were his wife; that it was procured for you, in New York,
+long subsequent to its apparent date; and that you were paid an
+enormous sum of money--fill in the actual amount, please--to go
+immediately to Dornlitz, exhibit the certificate, there, and publicly
+claim the Grand Duke Armand as your husband.  That, madame, is all."
+
+I was observing Lotzen; and, even now, his nerve never failed him.  He
+watched the King, intently, as he spoke.  At the end, his face took on
+a smile of cynical indifference--and, dropping from the respectful
+position in which he had been standing, he turned and sat on the table,
+one leg swinging carelessly over the corner.
+
+Mrs. Spencer shot a quick glance at him--but he gave no answer back.
+
+"Your Majesty has omitted one little matter," she said.  "By whom shall
+I say the money was paid?"
+
+"Thank you--so I had.  Make it--by persons to you unknown."
+
+Mrs. Spencer smiled frankly.
+
+"Your Majesty was quite right," she said.  "The play is over."
+
+She touched a bell--the maid entered.
+
+"My jewel case," she said.
+
+The King crossed to a writing desk and, taking pen and ink, placed them
+on the table.  Then the maid brought the casket.
+
+From the bottom tray, Mrs. Spencer took a paper and handed it to the
+King, who, after a glance, returned it.
+
+"If your Majesty will dictate, I will write," she said.
+
+Slowly, Frederick repeated the confession--and the pen scratched out
+line after line on the white page.  When it was ended, she passed it
+back again to the King, and he read it carefully.
+
+"Sign it, please," he said.
+
+She looked up, with an amused smile.
+
+"With what name?" she asked.
+
+"Your lawful one," said Frederick.
+
+"Madeline Spencer," she answered--and dashed it off.
+
+Then, for the first time since we entered the room, the King looked at
+Lotzen.  Hitherto, he had ignored him, utterly.
+
+"Witness it," he said sternly.
+
+I smiled--and so did Madeline Spencer.  It was the refinement of
+retribution.
+
+Without a word or a change of feature, Lotzen obeyed.  Then Frederick,
+himself, signed it; and, folding it carefully, gave it to me.
+
+"Will Your Majesty graciously pardon the violence I offered you?" Mrs.
+Spencer said.
+
+Frederick nodded.
+
+"Readily, madame," he said.  "In a way, you were justified--and, then,
+you missed me.  Had you hit me, my pardon might not have been required."
+
+"And will you not tell me how you discovered the truth?" she asked.
+
+"I chanced to learn of this meeting with His Royal Highness, the Duke
+of Lotzen, and was a witness of all that occurred here between you."
+
+"You cannot mean that you overheard our conversation!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Every word," said the King.
+
+"But where--and how?"
+
+The Duke glanced up toward the Gallery--and a bitter smile crossed his
+face.
+
+"His Grace of Lotzen has guessed it," said Frederick.
+
+She turned to the Duke interrogatingly.
+
+"The gallery--behind the arras, yonder," he said.
+
+"Exactly," said the King.
+
+"And you forgot the Gallery?" Mrs. Spencer asked, mockingly.
+
+"Yes," said he, with a shrug and a lift of his eyebrows, "I forgot it."
+
+She turned to the King.
+
+"I shall be ready, Sire, to depart for Paris on the evening train,
+to-morrow," she said.
+
+"You shall have the permit in the morning," he answered.
+
+Then he turned to Lotzen--and the Duke saw and understood.  He
+straightened up and his heels came together sharply.
+
+Frederick looked at him, sternly for a moment.
+
+"It is unnecessary, sir, for me to particularize," he said.  "You know
+your crimes and their purpose--so do I.  The Court has no present need
+of plotters and will be the better for your absence.  It has been over
+long since you visited your titular estates, and they doubtless require
+your immediate attention.  You are, therefore, permitted to depart to
+them forthwith--and to remain indefinitely."
+
+Lotzen's hand rose in salute.
+
+"Yes, Your Majesty," he answered.
+
+The King bowed to Mrs. Spencer.
+
+"Madame, I bid you good evening and good-bye," he said.
+
+She curtsied low.
+
+"I thank Your Majesty for your gracious consideration," she said.
+
+Then she stepped quickly toward me and held out her hand.
+
+"Will you not say farewell, Armand--as in the days, long past?" she
+asked.
+
+I knew the Princess was looking; but I was in a generous mood.  I took
+her hand and bowed over it.
+
+"Captain Dalberg bids farewell to Colonel Spencer's wife," I said.
+
+Then I followed the King.
+
+
+A week has passed since the night in the Gallery.  Madeline Spencer has
+gone--forever from my path, I trust.  His Royal Highness, the Duke of
+Lotzen, has taken a long leave, and is sojourning on his mountain
+estates for the benefit of his health.  There has been another supper
+of six at the Inn of the Twisted Pines--with four bottles of Imperial
+Tokay; and, afterward, a charming ride home in the moonlight.
+
+To-night, there is to be a great State Dinner at the Palace, whereat
+His Majesty will formally announce the betrothal of the Princess Royal
+of Valeria and Field Marshal, the Grand Duke Armand.
+
+So much I know--and, surely, it is enough; and far more than enough.
+Yet, having that fixed and settled, there is another matter touching
+which Dehra and I have a vast curiosity:
+
+What says the great, brass-bound Laws of the Dalbergs?  Has the Order
+of Succession been changed?  Will I supplant Lotzen as the Heir
+Presumptive?
+
+But, on that, His Majesty is silent; and the Book is locked.  Nor does
+even the Princess venture to inquire.  Perchance, he is reserving it
+for a surprise at the Dinner, to-night.  Perchance, he thinks I have
+honor sufficient.
+
+Yet, none the less, do I wonder; and, I confess it, none the less do I
+hope.  Nor is the hope for myself alone--for, to be an Archduke of
+Valeria is rank enough for any man--but, also, for her whom I love, and
+the Nation loves, and who was born to wear a Crown.
+
+And, for her dear sake, do I pray, with all humility, yet, somehow,
+with the confidence of Right, that, in my unworthy self, the Line of
+stubborn old Hugo may come to its own again.
+
+
+
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