of an officer in the uniform of the Red Huzzars. It was the Great
Henry; but it could just as well have been myself. Surely, outwardly,
at least, he was my _alter ego_.

Even Courtney's astonishment pierced his heavy equanimity; and Lady
Helen stopped sharply and gazed at the painting and, then, at me, and,
then, at the painting, again, in silent wonder. For although they both
knew, generally, of the resemblance, it needed the uniform to bring it
out in full effect.

"Your Majesty has given us a series of surprises to-night," said
Courtney.

"It is surely wonderful--almost beyond belief," said Lady Helen.

"Now, you know something of my sensations when I first met him," said
Frederick, "though, then, I had not the benefit of the Huzzar attire."

"And you, Princess?" asked Lady Helen.

The King laughed aloud; Courtney became absorbed in the picture; I
tugged at my sword-knot--we all were thinking of the kiss before the
Ball. But Dehra, naturally, thought of the meeting in the forest six
years before.

"It was a long time ago, but I think I did notice the resemblance in a
casual way," she said.

The King stared at her in surprise; Courtney smiled slightly and
glanced at me, and Lady Helen's eyes shot from Dehra to me and back
again in a vain attempt to understand. Frederick, however, was on the
point of asking an explanation when the Princess gave him a glance, and
he instantly dropped the matter and motioned us to our seats.

Mine was on Dehra's right; Courtney's on her left. Presently, I heard
the King say to Lady Helen:

"Come, confess you are curious how the American military attache
becomes a Valerian Archduke?"

And, through Dehra's talk, I detected the laughing answer, pitched high
enough to reach me:

"'Curious' is quite too mild a word, Sire."

Then, as the King began the story, she glanced over at me and I nodded
my thanks. It would have been a bit awkward, just then, if she had
shown she already knew my history. To-morrow it mattered not to me if
it were known the Kingdom over; aye, and farther, too. But to-morrow
was the future; to-night was mine. I was in favor; a King across the
table; a beautiful woman beside me. What more could any man wish?

And, when Dehra whispered: "Do you know, Armand, you are very handsome
to-night?" I tossed all discretion overboard and made violent love to
her before them all. Nor heeded Courtney's warning looks, nor Lady
Helen's curious glances. It w