ld have been entirely satisfied.

After a few weeks I had taken up my residence in the Epsau Palace--one
of my recent inheritances--and there maintained my own Archducal Court.
It was a bit hard for me to take myself seriously and to accept calmly
the obsequious deference accorded me by everyone. I fear I smiled many
times when I should have looked royally indifferent; and was royally
indifferent when I should have smiled. I know there were scores of
instances when I felt like kicking some of the infernally omnipresent
flunkeys down the stairs. But I did not; for I knew that the poor
devils were doing only their particular duty in the manner particularly
proper.

Yet, there were compensations, so many and so satisfying, I never, for
a moment, considered a return to my former estate. I was--I admit
it--enamored of my rank and power; and, it may be, even of that very
obsequiousness and flattery which I thought I despised. I know there
was a supreme satisfaction when I passed through the saluting crowds in
the Alta Avenue. It became almost elation when I rode upon the parade
ground to take the Review and the March By.

During this month, I had seen the Duke of Lotzen very frequently. I
had sat beside him at the Council table; I had dined with him formally
as the new Archduke, and informally as his cousin. And, on my part, I
had repaid his courtesies in kind. He had been thoughtful and
considerate to me to an exceptional degree, but, at the same time,
without undue effusiveness. In a word, he had treated me with every
possible attention our rank and consanguinity demanded.

Even Courtney could find nothing to criticise in Lotzen's behavior; nor
had his secret agents been able to detect anything _sub rosa_.

"However, all this proves nothing one way or the other," he remarked
one day, as we sat in my inner library. "If he intend the worst sort
of harm to you he would begin just as he has."

I nodded.

"I suppose His Majesty knows of Lotzen's courtesies to you?"

"And is immensely gratified. Bernheim tells me the Duke never was in
higher favor than at this moment," I answered.

"Exactly--and, therefore, the less likely a change in the Law of
Succession. He uses you to play against you."

"And I am helpless to prevent it," said I.

"I may not refuse his civilities nor appear to question their intent."

"Heaven forfend!" Courtney exclaimed, with lifted hands. "Your counter
attack is at the King, too.