y detail to his household, and also for
Courtney's. And Courtney, naturally, having been early consulted in
the matter, knew all the facts and so was able to bluff at me with
them. It would be just as well to call him.

"Is General Russell crossing with us?" I asked carelessly.

Courtney shook his head. "He is not going back to Valeria."

"Oh!" said I, realizing suddenly my mistake, "I didn't appreciate I was
dining with an Ambassador."

"It's not yet announced. However, I'm glad it does not change me," he
laughed.

"I can tell that better after we reach Valeria--and you have danced
with the Princess."

He sipped his coffee meditatively. "Yes, there may be changes in
Valeria in us both," he said presently.

"Don't do the heavy reproof if I chance to forget the difference in our
rank," I answered. "But you must manage one turn for me with Her Royal
Highness, if you're to eat my dinner, you know."

"How many times have you been to Valeria?" he asked suddenly.

"Some half dozen," I replied, surprised.

"Ever been in the private apartments of the Palace of Dornlitz?"

"No--I think not."

"I mean, particularly, the corridor where hang the portraits of the
Kings?"

"I don't recall them."

He laughed shortly. "Believe me, you would recall them well," he said.

"What the devil are you driving at?" I asked.

"I'll show you the night you dance with the Princess."

"A poor army officer doesn't usually have such honors."

"No--not if he be only a poor army officer. But, if he chance to
be----"

"Well," I said, "be what?"

"I'll tell you in the picture gallery," he answered.

And not another word would he say in the matter.

II

CONCERNING ANCESTORS

However, I did not need to wait so long for my answer. I knew it quite
as well as Courtney--maybe a trifle better. Nevertheless, it is a bit
jolting to realize, suddenly, that some one has been prying into your
family history.

On the west wall of the Corridor of Kings, in the Palace of Dornlitz,
hung the full-length portrait of Henry, third of the name and tenth of
the Line. A hundred and more years had passed since he went to his
uncertain reward; and now, in me, his great-great-grandson, were his
face and figure come back to earth.

I had said, truly enough, that I had never been in the Gallery of
Kings. But it was not necessary for me to go there to learn of this
resemblance to my famous ancestor. For, handed down from eldest son