The Colonel of the Red Huzzars

to return?" the Ki

ver, sire,"

ajor Dalber

jesty's service,

es will excuse you

n the door closed and saved me a reply; which, doubtless

l, that," s

embarrassingly b

Washington w

knew her

on't need t

s si

old with lacerated hearts or, indirectly, with

y married office

the first victims. Im

, for instan

my shoulder. "I've had plenty

a place at Court?" I asked-and str

uard, and the King made no reply until we were in his private library a

ort that I want to discuss

may?"

he United States and a representat

their significa

can lay aside our officialism

ence with the King of Valeria! I smile

at home in the family,

if I don't," said I; "but royalt

too modest, Armand. You spoke of a p

knew I was only jes

e; "but I'm not. I

I, "I'm as ambit

you're a good Dalberg,

I a good

a mirror in the wall. "

n physically

e didn't give you old Henry's body and

ok my

I have had a report on you fro

a laugh, "it has left me

hurt you mu

d time he had cal

offers me a title a

," said he; "a high t

d all my brain knew was the single idea: "It will bring me within reach of her." I got up sharply and p

ll I be regarded as a legitimate descendant of th

ated that would be your first q

eat-grandfather having married one not of royal rank his des

is true; but it happens that yo

therwise we had reached

n notions," said the King; "there is

al taste," said I; "and you kn

his fingers a mo

handy views, po

he returned; "only, it may be a

bjected. "And, then, there is another notion-Americ

, a bit sharply. "What other obje

ted, his titles were revoked and his name was stricken from the family

ad of our House,

he Crown in favor of a female-more's the pity. But, while Your Majesty may make me a Duke, or even

. "For an American you have

berg in me, doub

d forty years and so be able now to receive, in the flesh, the edict of restoration-you, hi

Roll, can be done only upon the hypothesis that all of Hugo's descendants have been debr

you were legitima

not by old Henry

offered his titles and rights by hi

the point," said I:

lit it carefully, blowing the s

ine our offer because it necessitates the restorati

d in s

, never been disinherited and if the legitimacy of his descendants had

would give it serious conside

hing there for an answer to something about which his mind was undecided. Have you ever had a mon

bound with brass and inlaid with silver. Placing it on the table between us, he took from his watch chain a small antiq

book with heavy metal hinges, "if there are many Americans who

e with all the truly representati

ica, it's a pity Europe does not know some of those same

endants of those who founded the Nation; and the proudest patent is a commis

Nobility-the descendants of the officers who

ill observe, I said the worthy descendants. In America it needs ma

l not argue over the matter; and, particularly, since the Dalbergs have no fault to find with their

ed with the two I'v

f them that you kissed her i

did it. I shall never

illumined in beautiful colors and with strange, large lettering. Presently, these ended and the characters seemed to b

e to return to Court." He paused a moment, then went on: "It would almost seem that old Henry had some presentiment of a certain stubborn-minded grandchild, for he

I arose and sto

King

ies of Great Britain, there to join the forces of one, George Washington, who is leading a revolt against his lawful sovereign, the King of England, with whom I am at peace; It is hereby dec

Y III

ctober, A.

was the judgment," said he.

and hath assumed residence therein; and whereas he hath never sought aid from us nor sued for pardon; Now, therefore, in recognition of his valour and self-reliance and true Dalberg independence, it is decreed that Section one-hundred twenty-one, supra, be annulled; and Hugo's name is here

ntly definite, si

raordinary," I

ore," he said, an

ale; nor shall the latter be eligible to the Crown unless hereinafter specifically decreed so to be-or, in event of

Y III

ptember, A

at," said he, "is the record,

ing; it needed only his act to make me his successor. A single line, sealed with his seal, in that big book just beside me, and plain Armand Dalberg, Major in the Army of the Uni

ack to life, and visions fled. But, even th

r Majesty permit me a few days

wish, my boy,"

am in no condition to look at i

he, "I can qui

hing I can foresee,

smiled. "

ouble in

l?" he asked, studying a smoke r

e does not

d he, "I

I, "if the Duke of Lotze

always made acquainted wi

itude in such an anomalous situation as would

uld he view a riv

it broader than I

der the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to make you eligible to the Crown; and that necessa

ny man view

er?" Frederick asked sharply. "I am the King; her

s might join him. And, assuming that you would never intend to displace Lotzen by me, neverthel

ing his cigar savagely into the grate. "D

protested, "I d

d, I understand you," he said; "only, I know my

or me to consider the question only upon the hy

annot prevent your renouncing all right to the Crown, but it

ty is very

ce he has no son, he wants the pr

suggestions; had called him a fool and his words nonsense-even a short half hour ago I would have done the same again. And now!-Truly there was something strangely impressive a

yes and met the Ki

pect blind yo

y eyes are too weak ever to be

gthen. Ask Courtney, if you care to make him a con

I," s

e same-your own to one

ion under the present influences. I must have

ood pleasure, Armand," said he; "only, the soone

aning. "I shall ask but

e with Dehra and me here to-morrow e

Lady Helen. But what a different life