f that throne were vacant of a king--Let us not
talk politics."

"Madame has no love for me," said Maurice.

"Madame has no love for any one, if that will give you any
satisfaction."

"It does. My lord the Englishman came near striking me last night."

"I would not lay that up against him. Madame was the power behind the
throne."

"And the impulse behind Madame?" smiling.

"You are the only man who has ever crossed Madame's path; she can not
forget it."

"And she has put me in a bad light, as far as Fitzgerald is concerned. A
man will believe anything a woman says to him, if he loves her."

"Let us avoid dissertations."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Yourself; you are interesting, entertaining, and instructive," the
Colonel answered, laughing. "I never ran across an American who wasn't,
and I have met a number. What have you done to Beauvais?"

"It is not exactly what I've done; it is what I know."

"What do you know?"

Maurice repeated the story.

"And you bested him at the rapiers?" in astonishment.

"Is there anything startling about it?" asked Maurice.

"He has no match hereabout." The Colonel looked across the table at the
smooth-faced boy--he was scarcely else--and reflected. "Why did you give
up the army?"

"The army in America doesn't run to good clothes; the officers have to
work harder than the privates, and, save in Washington, their social
status is nil. Besides, there is too much fighting going on all the
time. Here, an officer is always on dress parade."

"Still, we are always ready. In the past we show up pretty well in
history. But to return to Beauvais, it is very embarrassing, very."

"It will be for him, if I live long enough."

"Eh?"

"Beauvais has promised to push me off the board, to use his own words. I
am wondering how he will do it."

"Don't let that disturb you; he will do nothing--now. Well, well; it is
all a sorry game; and I find that making history has its disadvantages.
But I have dandled Madame as a child on my knee, and her wish is law;
wherever her fortunes lead, I must follow. She will win; she can not
help winning. But I pity that poor devil of a king, who, they say, is
now bereft of speech. Ah, had he been a man, I could have gone into this
heart and soul."

"He is on his deathbed. And his daughter, God knows what is in store for
her. Prince Frederick is dallying with his peasant girl. The day for
the wedding has come and gone, unless he turned up