al
restitution 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 Embassy, 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 glass 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 class, you know," I
ended.

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

"The truth is, Courtney, I waited up for you."

He put down his glass again. "Business?" he inquired, quickly.
"Anything amiss?"

I shook my head; "It's nothing amiss diplomatically; but it is business
in a way; only, it's my personal business. I want your advice."

He looked at me, sharply, an instant. "Drive on, old man; I'm all
attention," he said.

"I've been at the Summer Palace," I began.