“On my honor, as an officer and a Dalberg,” I answered.

Instantly his manner changed.

“That’s quite enough, lad,” he said.  “If the Princess wants you—­and it would seem she does—­I shall not say her nay.  Maybe, I am rather glad to say yes.”

I tried to thank him, but he would not let me.

“It’s a matter for the two most concerned to arrange,” he declared “I never did fancy these loveless royal marriages.  They are very little better than false ones.”  Then he laughed.  “Tell me about this one of yours,” he said, “the ‘true facts’ as you called them.”

So, I told him, in detail, of the supper in the Garden, the astonishing accusation of the Spencer woman, and of what I knew concerning her in America.  It was a long story, but Frederick’s interest never dulled.  At the end, I handed him the copy of the marriage certificate and the cablegram to Courtney.  He read them very carefully; then smoked awhile, in silence.

“I suppose you have your own notion as to this woman’s motive?” he said.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Do you care to give it to me?”

I let him see my hesitation.

“Well, I think it is not entirely revenge,” I said.

“It might even be that she is only playing the cards someone else has dealt her,” he said significantly.

I smiled and made no answer.

“They are mighty strong cards, Armand,” he said.

“And a mighty strong player holds them,” I added.  “More’s the pity.”

He nodded.  “I saw the lady this afternoon in the Park.  I rather fancy almost any man would be quite willing to have her claim him as her husband.”

“And, therefore, her story will be very generally accepted,” I said.

“Doubtless—­it’s far easier to accept it than to disbelieve it.”

“Consequently, if it please you, Sire, let my betrothal to Her Royal Highness remain secret until this woman’s claim has been thoroughly disproved.”

Frederick thought a moment.  “You are entirely right,” he said; “and, particularly, since, under old Henry’s Decree, she would be your legal wife—­assuming, that is, that you had married her.”  Then he smiled.  “You see, sir, the very thing you were so insistent upon, now works to your disadvantage.  If it were not for that Decree you could laugh at this woman.  I could simply pronounce her morganatic, and you would be quite free to marry Dehra, at once.”

But I shook my head.  “I must bring Dehra a clean record,” I said; “and I have no fault to find with that Decree.  But for it, I would not be here—­though, neither would Madame Spencer,” I added inadvertently.

The King stared at me.

“You don’t think she knows the Decree,” he exclaimed.

“I think she never heard of the Laws of the Dalbergs,” I answered.  “I mean that it was my being here that brought her.”

Again the King smiled.