so?' Selpdorf stroked his chin, then despatching the objection with
a wave of his hand, he resumed, 'We must overlook that in your case. You
have already served the Duke for five years with as sincere zeal as the
truest Maasaun amongst us. We must remember that and overlook a drawback
which is far less important than it seems.'

He turned to a memorandum on the table and consulted it.

'You were engaged in the affair at Xanthal, I see?'

'Three years ago, your Excellency,' replied Rallywood in a tone that
implied his powers of usefulness had probably become impaired by lapse
of time.

Selpdorf moved his shoulders. Here was a man throwing difficulties in
the way of his own advancement. Yet he could not possibly be so
indifferent to his own interests as he chose to assume.

'To be plain with you,' Selpdorf said with an air of candour, 'the
younger officers of the Guard have little experience. The latest fashion
in neckties or the most charming dancer at the Folie absorbs their
attention, to the exclusion of more important matters. There is, as you
doubtless know, a certain admixture of French blood in the veins of our
most noble families,' he finished abstractedly.

Rallywood had no remark to offer upon this. The officers of the Guard
bore a very distinct reputation. They were said to be a very pleasant
set of fellows socially, unless one ran foul of their prejudices, but
they were credited with a good many prejudices. As for his personal
acquaintance with them, it was limited to acting as second in a hastily
arranged duel fought out in the yard behind a little country railway
station.

'I should like to see a somewhat different spirit introduced, and to be
assured that I could always rely on the presence of at least one
cool-headed officer at the Palace. Your experience on the frontier has
eminently fitted you for the position. To you, therefore, will be
allotted the quarters reserved in the Palace itself for the adjutant of
the Guard. May I have the pleasure of saluting you as such?'

Rallywood hesitated. He foresaw certain difficulties, but they appeared
rather attractive than otherwise at the moment. He threw back his
shoulders, a light of laughter came into his eyes, he raised his head
and looked into Selpdorf's face.

'I thank your Excellency.'

The Chancellor understood more than met the ear. He approached the
subject delicately.

'Then you will allow me to congratulate you, Captain Rallywood,' he
sa