d, and hath assumed residence therein; and whereas he hath never
sought aid from us nor sued for pardon; Now, therefore, in recognition of
his valour and self-reliance and true Dalberg independence, it is decreed
that Section one-hundred twenty-one, supra, be annulled; and Hugo's name
is hereby reinstated on the Family Roll in its proper place, the same as
though never stricken therefrom. And it is further decreed that the
marriage of Hugo and the marriages of his descendants shall be deemed
valid and lawful, the same as though their respective consorts were of
the Blood Royal."

"Is that sufficiently definite, sir?" the King asked.

"It is very extraordinary," I said, in wonder.

"There is a bit more," he said, and resumed reading:

"The titles conferred upon Hugo shall, however, remain in abeyance until
claimed anew by him or by his right heir male; nor shall the latter be
eligible to the Crown unless hereinafter specifically decreed so to
be--or, in event of a vacancy in the royal dignity without such decree
having been so made, then, by special Act of the House of Nobles.

"HENRY III., Rex,

"Ye 7th September, A.D. 1785."

The King closed the book. "That," said he, "is the record," and motioned
me to sit down.

I obeyed mechanically. Through my head was ringing those last few words
that made possible the Crown of my ancestors. Under the Decree I was, de
jure, the eldest male after the King; it needed only his act to make me
his successor. A single line, sealed with his seal, in that big book
just beside me, and plain Armand Dalberg, Major in the Army of the United
States of America, would be Heir Presumptive to one of the great Kingdoms
of Earth. And Dehra! I could get no further. Crown and Kingdom faded
and I saw only a woman's face.----

Then the King coughed, and I came sharply back to life, and visions fled.
But, even then, realities seemed almost visions, still.

I turned to the King. "Will Your Majesty permit me a few days to
consider the matter?" I asked.

"As many as you wish, my boy," he said kindly.

"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 doe