out in winking gas-jets--a wreath of laurel
surrounding the monogram M. R., which stood for Maximilian Rex,
aflame against a marble background.

"Here we are at last, sir," said Narkom as the car stopped (he had
learned, by this time, that "Sire" belonged to the stage and the
Middle Ages), and, alighting, held back the door that Cleek might
get out.

Afterward he declared that that was the proudest moment of his life;
for if it was not the proudest of Cleek's, his looks belied him. For,
as his foot touched the crimson carpet, a band within swung into
the stately measure of the Mauravanian National Anthem, an escort
came down the hall and down the steps and lined up on either side
of him, and if ever man looked proud of his inheritance, that man
was he.

He went on up the steps and down the long hall with a chorus of
"Vivat Maximilian! Vivat le roi!" following him and the sound of
the National Anthem ringing in his ears; then, all of a moment, the
escort fell back, doors opened, he found himself in a room that
blazed with lights, that echoed with the sound of many vivats, the
stir of many bodies, and looking about saw that he was surrounded
by a kneeling gathering and that one man in particular was at his
feet, sobbing.

He looked down and saw that that man was Irma, and smiled and put
out his hand.

The count bent over and touched it with his lips.

"Majesty, I never forgot! Majesty, I worked for it, fought for it
ever since that night!" he said. "I would have fought for it ever
if it need have been. But it was not. See, it was not. It was God's
will and it was our people's."

"My people's!" Cleek repeated, his head going back, his eyes lighting
with a pride and a happiness beyond all telling. "Oh, Mauravania!
Dear land. Dear country. Mine again!"

But hardly had the ecstasy of that thought laid its spell upon him
when there came another not less divine, and his eyes went round the
gathering in quest of one who should be here--at his side--to share
this glorious moment with him.

She had come for that purpose--Narkom had said so. Where was she,
then? Why did she hold herself in the background at such a time as
this?

He saw her at that very moment. The gathering had risen and she with
them--holding aloof at the far end of the room. There was a smile
on her lips, but even at that distance he could see that she was
very, very pale and that there was a shadow of pain in her dear eyes.

"We both have battle