d.

"Thank you," he said, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't be a bear," said I; "most men would be glad enough for the
chance."

Then we reined aside and saluted.

"Will you join us?" said the Princess.

"We shall be delighted," I said and swung over beside her.

"I don't know what to do with Lady Helen," she whispered hurriedly.

"Courtney will look after her," I volunteered.

But she did not seem to hear. "I came alone to meet you," she went on,
"and overtook her on the way."

"You came to meet me?" I asked.

She nodded. "I fear you will think me very forward, but I--well, I
wanted to know your decision."

"Have you any doubt of it after the note--and now?"

"Then you will accept?" she exclaimed, so loudly I raised my hand in
warning.

"Yes," said I. "I shall accept--are you glad?"

She plucked at her horse's mane and glanced at me covertly; then she
turned and smiled--one of those overpowering smiles that had clung to
me through the years.

"Yes, Armand, I am glad. You are a--dear."

I reined over closer. "Sometime," I began----

She stopped me. "A dear _cousin_, I mean," she cut in.

I went back to my side of the road; but I took another smile with me.

Then Lady Helen pressed forward. "It is growing late, Your Royal
Highness. I shall have to turn toward town," she said.

I glanced at Courtney and he nodded that he would ride back with her.
And the Princess saw and understood; and would not have it so.

"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,