"It is all so extraordinary. I am in no condition to look at it with even reasonable judgment."

"I think," said he, "I can quite understand."

"But there is something I can foresee, even now," said I.

The King smiled. "Trouble?"

"Yes, trouble in plenty."

"But if the price be worth it all?" he asked, studying a smoke ring as it floated lazily upward.

"The trouble does not bother me."

"Oh!" said he, "I know that."

"Then, may I ask," said I, "if the Duke of Lotzen knows of these Decrees?"

"The Heir Presumptive is always made acquainted with the Laws of his House."

"What, think you, then, Sire, would be his att.i.tude in such an anomalous situation as would follow my presence in Valeria as Hugo's heir?"

"You mean, how would he view a rival for the Crown?"

"Well, that's a bit broader than I intended," said I.

The King laughed. "There is no need for us to mince words--the matter is perfectly evident. Under the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to make you eligible to the Crown; and that necessarily would displace Lotzen and make you Heir Presumptive. How do you think he would view it?"

"How would any man view it?" I asked.

"But what have Lotzen's views to do with the matter?" Frederick asked sharply. "I am the King; here are the Laws. What Dalberg would dispute them?"

"But, Your Majesty, Lotzen might not be alone in disputing them--the Army and the House of n.o.bles might join him. And, a.s.suming that you would never intend to displace Lotzen by me, nevertheless, you would be put into the embarra.s.sing position of seeming to be coerced by your subjects."

"Coerced! Coerced!" said Frederick, flinging his cigar savagely into the grate. "Do I hear a Dalberg fear that for his King?"

"Nay, Sire," I protested, "I did not say that."

But the anger had already pa.s.sed. "Nonsense, lad, I understand you," he said; "only, I know my Kingdom better than you do--yet," and he laughed.

But I protested again. "Would it not be wiser for me to consider the question only upon the hypothesis that Lotzen shall not be displaced----?"

"Don't be a fool, Armand," Frederick cut in. "Of course, I cannot prevent your renouncing all right to the Crown, but it will be most displeasing to me and against my express wish."

"Your Majesty is very flattering."

"His Majesty is very selfish. Since he has no son, he wants the privilege of choosing his successor."

So he meant to give me a chance to win the Crown! I shut my eyes; there was too much satisfaction in them. Yet, I felt almost ashamed. I had sneered so often at Courtney and his suggestions; had called him a fool and his words nonsense--even a short half hour ago I would have done the same again. And now!--Truly there was something strangely impressive and powerfully alluring about that big, bra.s.s-bound book, with its Royal rest.i.tution and honors and the glorious opportunity extended. Would any man--nay, would any half-man refuse?

Then I opened my eyes and met the King's kindly smile.

"Did the prospect blind you?" he asked.

"Yes," said I, "it did--maybe my eyes are too weak ever to bear the bright light of royalty."

"Never fear, lad, never fear; they will soon strengthen. Ask Courtney, if you care to make him a confidant. I am very sure of his advice in the matter."

"So am I," said I.

"Any man's would be the same--your own to one in a similar position."

I could not deny it; but I would make no decision under the present influences. I must have a season of calm thought and careful judgment.

The King waited a moment. "Well, take your own good pleasure, Armand,"

said he; "only, the sooner you come to Court the less time you will waste."

Of course, I saw his meaning. "I shall ask but one day, at the most."

"Good," said he. "This is Friday--dine with Dehra and me here to-morrow evening. Come by the private entrance."

Then we went back to the Princess and Lady Helen. But what a different life had opened to me in the short absence.

IX

THE DECISION

I was sitting alone in the library late that night when Courtney came in. He had been to some function at the French Emba.s.sy, from which I had begged off, and seemed surprised to see me.

"Taps are a bit late to-night," he remarked, pouring a measure of Scotch and shooting in the soda.

"I've been thinking," I answered.

"For Heaven's sake. Major," he began--then put down his gla.s.s and looked at me curiously.

"You were about to say?" I questioned.

He glanced at the clock. "When a man of your age sits up thinking until two in the morning it is either financial trouble or love."

"My finances are all right," I volunteered.

"Ergo," said he, and began to sip his Scotch.

"And I'm not----" then I stopped--"in the marrying cla.s.s, you know," I ended.

"It's a pity to have such excellent raw material go to waste," he commented, and smiled.