n and I have been so concerned for your reputation;
you risk so much, you know, in breakfasting alone with two unmarried
young women."

"I'm quite sensible of my danger," I answered, and looked blandly from
one to the other.

The Princess kept her eyes on her plate; but Lady Helen gazed at me in
some surprise.

"If you're not better behaved, sir, I'll take you away at once," she
said.

"You're only putting a premium on a continuance of it," said Dehra.

"No, I'm not, Your Highness; he hasn't finished his breakfast."

"You're very wise," the Princess laughed.

Lady Helen shook her head. "You see, I've known Major Dalberg a long
time," she said.

"Oh! then you had met before the night of the Ball?"

I looked at Dehra wonderingly. Had she forgotten that I myself had
told her, on the terrace, how long I had known the Radnors.

"We were old dinner and cotillon partners in Washington," Lady Helen
explained. "He was very kind to me there."

"That wasn't a very difficult task, was it, Major Dalberg?" Dehra
asked, fixing her blue eyes on my face.

"Please, Your Highness--please," exclaimed Lady Helen, holding up her
hands.

"I think," I replied, "that Lady Helen is, in herself, the best answer
to Your Highness's question."

Just then there came a step in the corridor and the King stood in the
doorway.

"Good morning, Lady Helen," he said, taking her fingers and raising
them to his lips in the beautiful old-fashion; "it is a pleasure to see
you here again." Then he bent and kissed Dehra on the forehead, and
turning to me said, extending his hand: "And, Major Dalberg, you are
very welcome."

Frederick was monarch of a powerful nation, but he could, if he so
wished, make those about him forget his crown and see only the
quiet-mannered gentleman. With a word of excuse to us he drew the
Princess aside to a window embrasure. I turned to Lady Helen.

"So," said I, "you've been here before?"

She smiled.

"And this is not your first breakfast with Her Highness?" I went on.

Another smile.

"And, doubtless, you have often met her at the Old Forge?"

Once again a smile.

"And were engaged to meet her there this morning?"

"You are too discerning, Major," she said, with a shrug. "You should
have been a detective."

"Quite right," I agreed. "I am always the last to detect a plot or to
find the criminal."

She looked at me through half-closed eyes.

"Which means?"

I gave her back a look in kin