me, I advanced and bowed. As I straightened,
the King extended his hand saying:

"We are glad to----"

Then he caught a full view of my face and stopped, staring. I dropped
his hand and stepped back; and, for a space, no one moved. Only, I
shot a side glance at Courtney and caught a half smile on his lips.
Then Frederick recovered himself.

"Your pardon, sir, but I did not catch the name," he said.

Courtney's finesse saved me the embarrassment of a self-introduction.

"Major Dalberg, of the United States Army, Your Majesty," he said
quickly. "The representative of our War Department with your army."

"Dalberg--Dalberg," he muttered; then added, perfunctorily: "Our army
is at your service, sir, though I fear we shall be unable to give you
the war."

"The army is quite enough, Sire," I began; but it was plain he did not
hear me. He was studying my face again and thinking. Courtney, I
could see, was having the finest sort of sport. I could have throttled
him.

"You have our name, Major," said the King. "May I ask if it is a
common one in America?"

"I know of no family but my own that bears it, there," I answered.

He sat down and motioned for us to do likewise.

"I am interested," said he. "Has your family been long in America?"

"Since the year 1777."

He leaned a bit forward. "That was during your Revolutionary War."

"Yes, Your Majesty. It was that year Lafayette joined Washington's
Army." That will give him a surprise, I thought.

It did.

"Do you know the name of the Dalberg of 1777?" he asked quickly.

I saw no profit in evasion. "He was Hugo, second son of Henry the
Third of Valeria," I replied.

"I knew it," he exclaimed, jumping up and coming over to me. "And you
are?"

"His great-grandson and eldest male heir."

"Then, as such, I salute you, cousin," he said, and suddenly kissed me
on the cheek.

Were you ever kissed by a man? If so, and you are a woman, it
doubtless was pleasant enough, and, maybe, not unusual; but if you are
a man, it will surprise you mightily the first time.

Of course, I understood all the significance of Frederick's action.
Royalty on the Continent so greets only royalty or relatives. It meant
I was accepted as one of the Blood and a Prince of my House. I admit
my pride was stirred.

"Your Majesty overwhelms me," I said, bowing again. "I expected no
recognition. I am entitled to none. Our name was stricken from the
Family Roll."

He ma