height was
not above the medium, but his figure was so well proportioned he seemed
almost my own size--and, yet, I knew I would top him by three inches.
He wore the full dress uniform of a Lieutenant-General of Cavalry; and,
with his black hair and moustache and well-cut face, he looked, in
every line, the dashing beau sabreur.

When he had greeted the King, and spoken to Lady Helen, he turned and,
with eyes on Dehra, came toward us. Courtney and I arose and stepped
back. The Princess swung around in her chair and gave him her hand,
but without a word of welcome--and he spoke none. Then, as he unbent,
his eyes rested on me for the first time.

[Illustration: Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first
time.]

I have never ceased to admire the self-control Lotzen showed then. He
gave me an instant's glance; flung another at the portrait behind me;
and, then, clicking his heels sharply together, he raised his hand in
salute--but, whether to me or to the portrait, I could not know. My
own hand went up with his and remained a moment longer; for I was the
junior in actual rank, though he could not know it, for my present
uniform was no guide.

"Since no one has presented the Colonel of the Red Huzzars, will he not
do the service for himself?" he said, very courteously.

"I cry your pardon, gentlemen," exclaimed the King; "and I herewith
present, to the Duke of Lotzen, his cousin, the Grand Duke Armand."

Lotzen extended his hand in frank greeting. "You are a Dalberg--any
one could see--but whence?"

"From America," I answered.

He knew his family records well. "Then, you are the heir of Hugo," he
said instantly. "And you come in good time, cousin; there have been
few enough Dalbergs in Valeria this generation."

"Your cousin will appreciate your welcome," said the King, before I
could make reply. Then he raised his glass. "I give you: The New
Archduke," he said.

I bowed low; yet, not so low, but that I caught the smile Dehra gave
me, over her glass, and the sharp glance with which Lotzen noted it.

"Is he friend or foe?" I wondered--though the answer was evident.
Plainly, he was no fool and, therefore, why should he be my friend?

And such was the view of another; for, a bit later, as I swung the Lady
Helen into saddle, she whispered:

"Lotzen will bear watching."

"I shall need friends," I answered, slowly, arranging her skirt.

"Sometimes, a woman's wit is helpful."

"And I may