I had asked it.

We had just come to a small door, before which paced a soldier of the
Guard, and the King made no reply until we were in his private library
and he had motioned me to a chair and an assortment of pipes and cigars.

"It was something of that sort that I want to discuss with you, if I
may," he said.

"If you may?" I echoed.

He nodded. "You are a subject of the United States and a representative
of its government at my Court."

"I had forgotten their significance," I admitted.

"But, with your permission, we can lay aside our officialism and hold a
family conference."

The idea of my holding a family conference with the King of Valeria! I
smiled involuntarily; and Frederick saw it.

"Don't you feel quite at home in the family, yet, my lad?" he asked.

"It is not Your Majesty's fault if I don't," said I; "but royalty is a
bit new and strange to me."

He laughed heartily. "You are quite too modest, Armand. You spoke of a
place at Court; would you accept one?"

"Surely, sire, you knew I was only jesting!" I exclaimed.

"Of course," said he; "but I'm not. I am entirely serious."

"I suppose," said I, "I'm as ambitious as most men."

"A little more so, if you're a good Dalberg," the King interjected.

"But am I a good Dalberg?"

He waved his hand toward a mirror in the wall. "Use your eyes," he said.

"I don't mean physically," I objected.

"I am very willing to trust Nature. She didn't give you old Henry's body
and then mock it with inferior abilities."

I shook my head.

"Besides," he went on, "I admit I have had a report on you from my
Ambassador at Washington."

"I trust," said I, with a laugh, "it has left me a few shreds of repute."

"It didn't hurt you much, my lad."

That was the third time he had called me his "lad."

"Your Majesty then offers me a title and a place at Court?"

The King smiled. "Yes," said he; "a high title and a high place."

I pulled on my cigar and tried to think. But, on every cloud of smoke, I
seemed to see the Princess; and all my brain knew was the single idea:
"It will bring me within reach of her." I got up sharply and paced the
room, until I threw off the foolish notion and could look at the matter
in its true proportions.

"Tell me, Your Majesty," I said, "if I accept, will I be regarded as a
legitimate descendant of the House of Dalberg or as of a morganatic
marriage?"

The King nodded. "I had anticipated that would be your fi