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.