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."

I took them mechanically. There, were the seals, the flowing ribbons,
the heavy signature of the King. The sheets rustled and twisted in my
fingers, curling back and forth like things alive. I saw them dimly as
though through a haze; my senses were dulled with sudden wonder and
emotion. And, yet, I had thought of it all many times since yesterday;
Courtney had predicted for me some of these very honors; I, myself, had
even anticipated them--indeed, they had been the powerful inducement
for my decision. And, now, when I had them in my very hands, put there
by the King himself, I was simply overpowered. To some scoffer I may
seem se