intly--the Terrace at Westminster; though, of course,
it is far more beautiful, with the dancing waters of Lake Lorg instead
of the dirty, sluggish Thames. It is the peculiarly fashionable
restaurant, and is always thronged in the evening with the aristocracy
of the Kingdom. To-night, the extreme end of the balcony had been
reserved for me, and a very slight bank of plants was arranged to
separate us from the general crowd.

Just before the final curtain, His Highness of Lotzen had strolled into
the Royal Box. To my surprise he congratulated me very heartily upon
my appointment as Governor of Dornlitz; and, perforce, I invited him to
join us at supper.

He hesitated a moment, and I urged him to come. In fact, I felt a bit
sorry for him. He had just lost the Princess and, with her, likely,
his chance at the Throne, as well. And I had won the one and, very
possibly, the other, also. I could afford to be generous. After
to-night, however,--when he had learned of these facts--it would be for
him to indicate as to our future attitude. For my part, I was quite
willing to be friendly.

The entrance of my party made something of a sensation. To reach our
table, we were obliged to pass down the Garden almost half its length
and the people arose instantly and bowed.

To Lotzen, this deference was such an ordinary incident of his daily
life he, doubtless, scarcely noticed it. But I was still fresh in my
Royalty and it did attract me--though, I think I appreciated what he
did not; that their courtesy was, in truth, to the Princess only, and
not to us. Indeed, it would have been just the same if the King
himself had been with us. When Dehra was in presence the people had
eyes for her alone.

The supper was deliciously cooked; the wine was excellent; the service
beyond criticism. I had given the two Ambassadors to Dehra and had put
Lady Helen between Lotzen and myself, with Lord Radnor on the Duke's
left.

We were a merry party. Dehra was positively bewitching and Radnor was
simply fascinated. He could scarcely take his eyes from her, even when
addressed by Lotzen; which was very little, for the Duke devoted
himself very assiduously to Lady Helen. So I was remitted to Lady
Radnor, who was about the most tiresomely uninteresting mortal it had
been my misfortune to know--a funeral service was an extravaganza in
comparison to her talk. In Washington, my rank had never entitled me
to a seat at her side at dinner