hile with us it needs only gentle blood, you mean?" said Frederick,
good naturedly. "Well, we shall not argue over the matter; and,
particularly, since the Dalbergs have no fault to find with their
representative among the American Nobility; it's rather he who is ashamed
of his Valerian relatives."

"I am quite satisfied with the two I've met," I protested.

"So well, indeed, with one of them that you kissed her instantly," the
King laughed.

"And am glad, now, I did it. I shall never have another chance."

He shot a quick glance at me, as he opened the book and began to turn the
heavy parchment pages, which I could see were illumined in beautiful
colors and with strange, large lettering. Presently, these ended and the
characters seemed to be in ancient script, which, gradually grew more
modern. At one of these later pages, the King stopped and addressed me:

"You have said that, unless Hugo's rights and the Dalberg legitimacy of
his descendants were preserved, by special Decree, made during Hugo's
life, you would decline to return to Court." He paused a moment, then
went on: "It would almost seem that old Henry had some presentiment of a
certain stubborn-minded grandchild, for he provided for just such a
condition as you have made. This book is the Laws of the House of
Dalberg. Listen to what is written touching Hugo, son of Henry the
Third."

Instinctively, I arose and stood at attention.

The King read:

"Section one-hundred twenty-first--For inasmuch as our second son, Hugo,
hath, in defiance of our specific prohibition, this day left our Kingdom
and gone over Sea to the North American Colonies of Great Britain, there
to join the forces of one, George Washington, who is leading a revolt
against his lawful sovereign, the King of England, with whom I am at
peace; It is hereby decreed that the said Hugo shall forfeit all titles
and emoluments heretofore conferred, and his name is hereby stricken from
the Family Roll. From this day he ceaseth to be a Dalberg of Valeria.

"HENRY III, Rex.

"Ye 17th October, A.D., 1777."

Frederick glanced up. "That was the judgment," said he. "Listen, now,
to the pardon:--

"Section one-hundred twenty-fifth--Whereas, we have learned that our
second son, Hugo, hath served with much honour in the American Army under
General Washington, and hath, since the termination of hostilities,
married into a good family in one of the said American States, called
Marylan