e to what he had got.

Now, as a matter of fact, it was quite likely that the Dalbergs of
Dornlitz had totally forgotten the Dalbergs of America. Since
Frederick's minister had rumbled away from that mansion on the
Chesapeake, a century and more ago, there had been no word passed
between us. Why should there be? We had been disinherited and
banished. They had had their offer of reinstatement courteously
refused. We were quits.

I think I was the first of the family to set foot within Valeria since
Hugo left it. Ten years ago, during a summer's idling in Europe, I had
been seized with the desire to see the land of my people. It was a
breaking of our most solemn canon, yet I broke it none the less. Nor
was that the only time. However, I had the grace,--and, possibly, the
precaution,--to change my name on such occasions. In the Kingdom of
Valeria I was that well-known American, Mr. John Smith.

I did the ordinary tourist; visited the places of interest, and put up
at the regular hotels. Occasionally, I was stared at rather
impertinently by some officer of the Guards and I knew he had noted my
resemblance to the national hero. I never made any effort to be
presented to His Majesty nor to establish my relationship. I should
have been much annoyed had anything led to it being discovered.

Once, in the park of the palace, I had passed the King walking with a
single aide-de-camp, and his surprise was such he clean forgot to
return my salute; and a glance back showed him at a stand and gazing
after me. I knew he was thinking of the portrait in the Corridor of
Kings. That was the last time I had seen my royal cousin.

The next day, while riding along a secluded bridle path some miles from
Dornlitz, I came upon a woman leading a badly-limping horse. She was
alone,--no groom in sight,--and drawing rein I dismounted and asked if
I could be of service. Then I saw her face, and stepped back in
surprise. Her pictures were too plentiful in the capital for me to
make mistake. It was the Princess Dehra.

I bowed low. "Your Royal Highness's pardon," I said. "I did not mean
to presume."

She measured me in a glance. "Indeed, you are most opportune," she
said, with a frank smile. "I have lost the groom,--his horse was too
slow,--and I've been punished by Lotta picking a stone I cannot remove."

CONCERNING ANCESTORS 25

"By your leave," I said, and lifted the mare's hoof. Pressing back the
frog I drew out