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.”