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.