The Colonel of the Red Huzzars

ame sparkle of jewels and shimmer of silk on aristocratic woman; the same c

, so, were the last to reach the Hall. At the door Cosgrove joined us and under his guidance we made our way to the diplomatic line. Scarcely were we there when His Majesty and the P

ive the

someone

And the throng join

y I had acted as substitute groom. For the bad few minutes lately passed had been given over to labial and mental sensations to the exc

se. Otherwise, she was the same charming woman who had smiled me into subjection six years before. Beautiful? Of course; but do not ask me for description, other than th

waiting for my name to be announced, but stepping over to the edge of the dais to meet me and ho

"It's all explained," he pas

ourtney, and turned an

s and be friends,

plain enough to the whole room, but t

in," I said; but I took

those that followed us. But, as I bowed aw

new my pea

ut there was none; only a bit of a smile

cle the room and

f I'm to do the

lected; "the true Heir Presumpti

hat nonsens

ial. "Nonsense? Well, maybe s

are becoming sentimental, and without even

one. "You don't act lik

clearly, but only with Majo

were procl

r rainbow-chasing, and Spanish Ca

ux en Espagne. It has builded many upon weaker foundations tha

ws are called upon, occasionally, to tumble

ow it's only the phantom castles you tumble

uixote all these year

ut t

ng me to tilt against this fool

ere to prove

d-"Surely, you

uick glances and his ha

niard would say, Major; '

," I exclaimed. "And don't

s his answer-but Courtney

of occupation-being a

nore

ace quite as well as Ferdi

y to wager that I'll be the ne

oper odds, I

e th

go you five thousand even, now, t

sphere seems to

to do with the w

said. "The last fool

someone say: 'The s

u d

ll that a '

so that we were so

rd to please, la

d astray, lately, yo

ic corps and, if they noted the coincidence of my name and Dalberg features, they were adepts enough not to show it. Not so, however, with some of the elderly Valerian d

njoy it?" Cou

s not my first visit to

ke to know of th

know; they were like

opportunities away," he said, a

rtunities?

ot those for prevar

qualification of a dip

I don't doubt you will find it

lead out the Princess. I admit I was curious to see him. Report made him a very able young fellow, and his pictures showed a goodl

les, Lotzen's brot

Duke?"

the Army,

by and, catching my ey

f, isn't it?" Co

d mecha

n't tell her

ll her what?

elieved to know

bted it," I

he remarked; "Oh!"-and fe

"you're a great fo

te true; I found

efore his unfailing good

that point," I said, "I h

e years before, while on staff duty, and we had danced and dined ourselves into each other's regard. Then, Lord Radnor was transferred to Dornlitz and I went back into active service. So I had be

are arousing extraordinary curiosity?"

"Yes, I be

ised. "So you ha

it yea

irst visit to Dornlitz. Yet, it's a queer coincidence that you

ticularly queer, since I a

a snap. "His great-gre

odd

. Didn't you tell me, one day at Mount Vern

orgotten both the circumstance and the remar

shook her head. "I canno

I told her the story of Hugo. For the benefit of the scoffer let me say that the Lady Helen

when I had finished my tale.

ill not have the opportunity to be interested," I

f you wish it," s

it would do no harm to give her a

ncess and Courtney knows of

le. "Which means, if it become kno

ed to press the

et as well as mine," I sa

lders. "I shall keep it beca

Helen could be fetchin

ssed it. Then I glance

oftly. "You men alwa

" sa

ly after it'

said I

ve observed," she

h has been yo

chievous gleam in her grey e

was very near and we were in the shadow. I le

so that tim

fectly quie

gth; "let us hope that your eye

I que

ngagement must b

es

to cut you publicly, after wh

ugh. Yet, I was in for it

l it be?" I

in my mind's eye, the Princess's, too-but only for an instant. Then I took he

we know if we wer

kiss her again, b

," she said, and stepped out into the li

," she said, as we parted. "N

ely. "I am beginning to h

over her fan. "Are you tired o

to stay in Dornl

ative, Major, t

why I wan

y prettily," she said. "I sha

one saw it?"

xclaimed, "no one did. Do

said I

are very foolish,

ilence. "You have changed

the b

ed my sh

nice of yo

urtney

ordered; "you've kept t

out on the terrace," she said. T

vacant; better take Courtney

me so with her eyes, though her lips smiled. I