He shook his head. "She misunderstood the whole matter. I forgot she,
doubtless, knows nothing of the American branch of the House; so, my
calling you cousin conveyed no meaning, if indeed she even heard it.
She simply thought you a presumptuous stranger."

"And so I am."

He waved the idea aside. "You are her nearest male relative after
myself."

"That may mitigate my presumption--but, none the less, I'm a stranger."

"No Dalberg is stranger to a Dalberg, and least of all in the presence
of the Dalberg King," he said. Then the smile came again. "But, by
the Lord, sir, I admire your pluck--to kiss the Princess Royal of
Valeria before her father's very face."

"It wasn't pluck," I protested. "It was rank ignorance. I was at a
loss what greeting was proper;" and I explained my perplexity.

"Of course," he said kindly, but with a shrewd twinkle in his blue
eyes, "I understand. Only, I fancy it would be wiser that I make your
excuses to your cousin. For, believe me, my dear Major, for one in
such doubt you kissed her with amazing promptness."

This time Courtney laughed aloud and the King and I joined him.

"Then you think I may venture, sometime, to speak to her without
renewed offence?" I asked presently, as we were about to retire.

"Assuredly," said the King. "When you meet her again to-night act as
though you had known her always. I'll answer for it, she will not
respond with a blow."

Just at the door he called to me.

"Major," he said, "which would be your preference: to be introduced
to-night as one of the Blood, or to hold off a while and continue your
duties as American Attache?"

I had had this very matter in my mind a moment before. "With Your
Majesty's permission I will execute my orders--at least, for the
present," I said.

"I think that were the proper course under the circumstances.
Meanwhile, we will provide that you have the entree, and as many
prerogatives of your birth as are properly consistent with conditions."

Without, a chamberlain awaited to conduct us to the Hall of the Kings,
where the birthday ball was to be held.

V

THE SALUTE OF A FRIEND

One Court function is pretty much like another, Europe over. There is
the same sparkle of jewels and shimmer of silk on aristocratic woman;
the same clank of spur and rattle of sword and brilliancy of uniform on
official man.

Courtney had long ago become familiar with it all, and I in my details
and travels had see