fficer, so I may not strike you nor draw against
you. But you will, I trust, pardon me, my dear cousin, if I tell you
that you are a snivelling coward."

"Pray, don't hide behind my temporary rank," I answered hotly. "I
waive it, gladly. Anything, for a chance to puncture that rotten
carcass of yours or to get a good fair crack at your smooth face."

It was a foolish speech. I knew it the moment it was out. But I never
had acquired self-restraint when aggravated by those I disliked--and I
despised Lotzen. Possibly, he had far better ground for despising me.
Had our positions been reversed, I am quite sure I would have viewed
him much as he did me--a foreigner--an interloper--a scheming
usurper--a thief.

My explosion seemed to calm the Duke. He looked at me, intently, for a
moment; then bowed gravely.

"I beg Your Highness's pardon," he said; "you are not a coward."

I might not be outdone, so I bowed back at him. "Thank you," said I;
"and I also beg your pardon and withdraw my adjectives."

"_Merci_, Your Highness," he answered. "Let us consider the matter
closed?"

"With pleasure," said I.

"And I shall hope to have the honor of crossing swords--foils, I mean,
with you, some day," he said meaningly.

"The hope is intensely mutual, my dear Duke," I answered.

He drew himself up to attention and saluted stiffly. I returned it in
kind.

"And, with Your Highness's permission," I said, "I shall ask you to
refrain from communicating with Mrs. Spencer. I appreciate your offer
but, upon second thought, I doubt the wisdom of it."

"As you wish, monsieur," said he; "as you wish."

XX

A TRICK OF FENCE

After Lotzen had gone, and I was able to do a bit of reflecting, I was
pretty well convinced that he had got about as much out of me as I had
out of him. Of course, our mutual distrust and dislike were now openly
avowed; but we had known it quite as well before--just as he had been
aware of my designs on the Crown and my partiality for the Princess,
and, I, of his purpose to defeat me for both. He had, to use a
military term, made a reconnoissance in force; and I had tried to meet
him in kind and to prevent him uncovering my exact position. How well
I had succeeded, however, was very problematical; for I could not know
what particular information he sought. I was satisfied, however, his
main purpose was to discover whether I had any knowledge or suspicion
of him being back of Madeline Spen