“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.”