count on yours?"

"Surely--mine, and another's, too, I fancy," she smiled.

Then she and Courtney rode away--but halted almost instantly, and he
called back to me to stop at the Embassy on the morrow and sign some
papers.

For, of course, now, I could not live, even for a night, at the
American Legation; and, already, a suite had been prepared for me in
the Palace.

The four of us went to the King's library; and, after a while, Lotzen
withdrew on the plea of an official appointment. But His Majesty and
the Princess and I sat until late in the night discussing the _modus
vivendi_ for me. Many matters were determined by them; and, in all, I
acquiesced instantly; for they knew what was proper and I did not.

It was decided that, for the present, I was to reside in the Palace. I
did not care for a separate establishment until I had more experience
in the dignities of an Archduke. Neither did I desire, now, a full
military staff; and so I was to have only two aides--whom Frederick
selected after much thought.

The senior was Colonel Bernheim--who had brought the invitation to the
Birthday Ball, and the commands of the Princess to dance with her that
night. His tour of duty with the Royal Aides was about ended, and,
being an officer of much experience in the Court, he would be able to
keep me straight, so to speak.

The other aide was a Major Moore--an Irish soldier of fortune, who had
been in the Valerian Army some ten years, and, by his efficiency, had
become attached to the General Staff. He was of noble birth--the
younger son of a younger son of an Irish Earl--and "as an Irishman is
more than half an American he will, doubtless, be congenial," the King
said.

I had liked Bernheim's manner, and I was willing to risk an Irishman's
faith to his chief. I asked, only, whether either was an intimate of
the Duke of Lotzen.

"That is a perfectly reasonable question," said Frederick instantly.
"I know that Bernheim has never liked the Heir Presumptive and that
Moore is not a favorite with the Prince."

"Then, I am quite content with them," said I.

"And you may also feel content," said he, "in that I appreciate your
position here and its difficulties, and I shall stand behind you. But
a King's favorite, even though of the Royal Family, is rarely popular,
so I shall obtrude no more than is necessary to show you have my good
will. When you want more, ask for it."

XI

THE FATALITY OF MOONLIGHT

The