urning into the drive that led from the road to
the Palace; and, once again, Dehra waved me onward.

They awaited me at the gate; and, with the guard standing at attention,
we rode into the grounds. I noticed that the Princess acknowledged the
salute with her crop as though it were a sword. I had returned it with
my hand.

"Your way is the correct one," she said.

"But yours is much the prettier," I answered.

"Maybe that's why I used it," she laughed.

"It is sufficient justification," I assured her.

"His Majesty does not think so--he insists that the Colonel of the Blue
Guards should conform to the regulations."

"I salute my superior officer," I said, and used my crop as she had
done.

"How delightful to be a Colonel," said Lady Helen. "I would wear the
uniform all the time--if it were becoming."

"How could it be otherwise?" I exclaimed.

"No sarcasm, sir," she said sharply.

"No, Major Dalberg, no sarcasm," Dehra cautioned, "or you will be
asking, presently, if I won my commission on the field of battle."

"I would rather not imagine you on the field of battle," I answered.

"Well, you needn't," she laughed. "It's an infliction of birth. It
belongs to the eldest child of the King without regard to sex."

"It's a pity, in your case, the crown does not follow the Colonelcy," I
thought--but I did not say it.

At one of the private entrances we drew up. The Princess was out of
saddle as quickly as myself; but the Lady Helen waited.

"If you don't want to stay I can contrive some excuse," she whispered,
as I lifted her down.

"I'm quite willing to risk a royal breakfast if you are," I answered.

"Brave man," she mocked, gathering up her skirt; "you wouldn't flinch
at leading a forlorn hope."

"Watch me follow one," I retorted, as I brought up the rear.

"Which one?" she asked over her shoulder; but I did not answer.

The breakfast was served in a charming little room--which I assumed to
be a portion of the Princess' private suite--and was of the sort to
provoke more early morning rides along the Old Forge Road.

"This may be a bit unconventional," said Dehra, addressing Lady Helen,
rather than me, "but, if the English Ambassador can stand it, I will
answer for the King of Valeria."

"And I'll answer for the American Ambassador," I volunteered.

"Then the others don't matter," Lady Helen laughed.

"You surely have relieved us very much, Major Dalberg," the Princess
added. "Lady Hele