“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.”