y path they
fancy leads upward to the Light."

"You mistook my meaning," I said. "It's not for me to criticise
another's chosen road, whether it be the rough one or the smooth.
There are no hand boards at the forking, and only a blind fall at the
end of each. It's all a guess; and, so far as I know, one road is as
good as another."

He looked at me, rather curiously. "Which road do you travel, cousin?"
he asked.

"Neither, by intention," I answered. "I am still at the Forks."

He laughed, rather sarcastically. "Well, when you leave them, if you
chance to come my way, the Chateau is at your disposal. Meanwhile,
I'll endeavor to steer Madame Spencer, alias Dalberg, toward it."

I could feel the deliberate sneer, but it was too well veiled to
resent, openly.

"At least, don't expect me as a guest while she is there," I replied.

"I don't imagine I would want you, then," said he. He went over to the
door; then returned and, leaning on the back of a chair, looked at me
thoughtfully.

"What now?" I wondered--and waited.

"There is a matter, cousin," he began, "which has been on my mind
lately--and this may be as good a time as any to take it up."

I nodded. "Go ahead--we are in the humor for confidences, this
afternoon, it seems."

"And for plain speaking?" he asked.

"Between men I'm always for that," said I. "It's the safest in the
end."

"Exactly my opinion. I am glad to have one of your experience and
discretion agree with it," he answered.

It seemed to give him the keenest pleasure to sneer at me, to my very
face, with compliments he thought I would take seriously. And, in
truth, I think I was beginning to enjoy it as much as he.

"You are a bit old for your age, my dear Duke," I said.

"But I have much to learn," he said modestly.

"It will all come in time, cousin," I answered patronizingly.

He dropped his head an instant--to hide his smiles, I knew.

"A charming afternoon," he said. "Confidences--compliments--and plain
speaking. We are making rare progress, cousin mine."

"And, why not?" I asked.

"Surely," he exclaimed, heartily, "surely--why not?" Then he paused.
"And, now, for the plain speaking."

"Good," said I; "drive ahead; and make it as plain as you like."

"I'll do it," he said. "What I want to know is: First--do you intend
to try to displace me in the Line of Succession? And, second--are you
a suitor for the hand of the Princess Royal?"

It would have been i