X
THE COLONEL OF THE RED HUZZARS
When I entered the library, Frederick came forward and kissed me onboth cheeks.
"My dear Armand," he said, "I am pleased beyond expression."
"It's a pity," thought I, "kissing isn't an expression."
"Dehra has told you?" I asked.
He nodded. "But I felt sure of you--so sure, indeed, I have all theseready for you." He picked up a roll of parchments. "Here is yourPatent as an Archduke of Valeria; here are the title deeds to yourancestral estates--they have been held as Crown lands since Hugo'stime; here is your commission as Colonel of the Red Huzzars; and here(and this may please you most) is your commission as Lieutenant-Generalin my Army."
I took them mechanically. There, were the seals, the flowing ribbons,the heavy signature of the King. The sheets rustled and twisted in myfingers, curling back and forth like things alive. I saw them dimly asthough through a haze; my senses were dulled with sudden wonder andemotion. And, yet, I had thought of it all many times since yesterday;Courtney had predicted for me some of these very honors; I, myself, hadeven anticipated them--indeed, they had been the powerful inducementfor my decision. And, now, when I had them in my very hands, put thereby the King himself, I was simply overpowered. To some scoffer I mayseem sentimental or childish; and to him I say: "wait until you are insimilar circumstances."
Presently I got my senses and, I trust, thanked His Majesty in properwords. But he, would have none of it.
"They are yours by right of birth, you have simply come to your own,"he said.
"But only by your gracious favor," I protested.
"Then, do me a small return: wear the Huzzar uniform this evening."
I must have looked my surprise.
"We are pretty much of a size and I think mine will fit you," heobserved.
"It is very little you ask, Sire." I answered.
"Then my valet will squire you," and he rang for the servant.
And it was well he did; for I was not used to fancy uniforms, withtheir peculiar fastenings and adornments, and I might have spent theentire evening in solving them. But Adolph attired me with astonishingcelerity, and then, swinging a cheval glass before me, he inquired:
"Are you satisfied, sir?"
"You are a wonderful valet, Adolph," I said, ignoring the mirror.
I did not need it to know that I was clad in scarlet and gold, with ablack, fur-bound dohlman over one shoulder and a tall black busby on myhead. I hung the Eagle of the Cincinnati about my neck and went backto the King.
He looked me over critically and nodded. "You'll do, my boy," he said.Then he raised the Eagle and examined it. "It is a great Order," hesaid; "one of the greatest in the world, but a Prince of Valeria mustwear his country's also," and he pinned the Star of the Lion on mytunic. "And now, come, I want to show you to your cousin."
At the door of the Princess's apartments he waved aside the footmanand, himself, announced:
"His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Armand!"
It was so unexpected and sounded so queer, withal, that, for a moment,I hesitated; then I took a fresh grip on my busby and followed theKing. The next instant, I was bending over the Princess's hand andlistening to her words of welcome and congratulation. When I turned toLady Helen she curtsied deeply, even as she would have done for one ofher own Princes.
"God save Your Royal Highness," she said.
And, as I raised her hand and kissed it, I tried, in vain, to read inher eyes whether she meant it or was only mocking me.
Then, we went in to dinner--and, here, was a surprise for me, also.
It was the same room we had breakfasted in the previous day, but now,upon the wall, fronting us as we entered, hung a full-length portraitof an officer in the uniform of the Red Huzzars. It was the GreatHenry; but it could just as well have been myself. Surely, outwardly,at least, he was my _alter ego_.
Even Courtney's astonishment pierced his heavy equanimity; and LadyHelen stopped sharply and gazed at the painting and, then, at me, and,then, at the painting, again, in silent wonder. For although they bothknew, generally, of the resemblance, it needed the uniform to bring itout in full effect.
"Your Majesty has given us a series of surprises to-night," saidCourtney.
"It is surely wonderful--almost beyond belief," said Lady Helen.
"Now, you know something of my sensations when I first met him," saidFrederick, "though, then, I had not the benefit of the Huzzar attire."
"And you, Princess?" asked Lady Helen.
The King laughed aloud; Courtney became absorbed in the picture; Itugged at my sword-knot--we all were thinking of the kiss before theBall. But Dehra, naturally, thought of the meeting in the forest sixyears before.
"It was a long time ago, but I think I did notice the resemblance in acasual way," she said.
The King stared at her in surprise; Courtney smiled slightly andglanced at me, and Lady Helen's eyes shot from Dehra to me and backagain in a vain attempt to understand. Frederick, however, was on thepoint of asking an explanation when the Princess gave him a glance, andhe instantly dropped the matter and motioned us to our seats.
Mine was on Dehra's right; Courtney's on her left. Presently, I heardthe King say to Lady Helen:
"Come, confess you are curious how the American military attachebecomes a Valerian Archduke?"
And, through Dehra's talk, I detected the laughing answer, pitched highenough to reach me:
"'Curious' is quite too mild a word, Sire."
Then, as the King began the story, she glanced over at me and I noddedmy thanks. It would have been a bit awkward, just then, if she hadshown she already knew my history. To-morrow it mattered not to me ifit were known the Kingdom over; aye, and farther, too. But to-morrowwas the future; to-night was mine. I was in favor; a King across thetable; a beautiful woman beside me. What more could any man wish?
And, when Dehra whispered: "Do you know, Armand, you are very handsometo-night?" I tossed all discretion overboard and made violent love toher before them all. Nor heeded Courtney's warning looks, nor LadyHelen's curious glances. It was Dehra, herself, who brought me upsharply, after a space.
"I am afraid, Armand," said she, "if you flirt so strenuously with meto-night, you will have no cards left for the balance of our game."
"Our game?" I echoed blankly, forgetting for the moment the compact ofthe Ball.
She smiled. "You see, you play it better than I ever can. I don'teven know enough to forget it is a game."
I turned and looked her in the eyes. "Then, in all you have donelately, you have been only playing the game?" I asked.
"Is that quite a fair question?" she answered.
"Yes--under the circumstances."
"But I thought you called it a game?"
"I did."
"And, yet, you ask me to spread my cards on the table?"
"Not exactly; I ask to see only the tricks that are turned," said I.
She shook her head. "It's all the same--we must play fair."
"Was it quite fair to write me that note unless you were sincere?" Iasked.
She looked me straight. "Tell me," she demanded, "tell me, on yourhonor; had you not already made decision when my note reached you?"
I hesitated. "It clinched the matter," I said, lamely.
The Princess smiled.
"And, had the decision been otherwise, the note would have reversedit," I added.
The smile broadened. "But, since the note was in no way responsible,nor even persuasive, its sincerity does not matter," she said.
"But, if I were to change my mind?" I replied.
She glanced at my uniform and at the gleaming Star of the Lion.
"They can be removed," I said; "they are only borrowed."
"No, Your Royal Highness," said she, "they cannot be removed--not inthe way you mean; your word is passed to your King."
Your King! It was the first reminder I was no longer a free
American,and it gave me something of a shock. And Dehra understood, and showedno mercy.
"And, as an Archduke of Valeria, and almost the Heir Presumptive, youmust know what it means to give your word to your King," she said.
"I trust I know what it means to give my word to anyone," I returned.
"Now, don't get on your dignity, Armand," she laughed. "You understandme perfectly."
I raised my hands in protest. "Understand you perfectly!" I exclaimed."I wish I understood you even a little."
"You're not as nice as you were during the first part of the dinner."
"Did you ever hear the slang Americanism 'there are others'?" I asked.
She took a cigarette and lighted it--and passed it to me; then lightedanother for herself.
"What was it you asked about that note?" she said, and gave me one ofthose subduing smiles.
I dropped my hand below the table and found her fingers. "You meantit, Dehra; truly?" I asked.
Sue released her fingers and placed both hands on the cloth. "Ofcourse I meant it--when I wrote it," she said.
"That's quite as much as I've any right to expect," I answered.
"That's the proper frame of mind, cousin," said she.
"And the sort you prefer in your admirers?"
She raised her eyebrows--"In my relatives--undoubtedly."
"Come," said I, "we must not quarrel."
"It would be the regular thing; I fight with all my relatives."
A footman handed the King a card, received a message, and withdrew.
"Then let me prove an exception," I cut in.
"I am quite willing; squabbles are so stupid."
"Speaking of cousins; have you quarrelled with Lotzen?"
"Scores of times; we are in the distant bowing stage now."
"Good," said I. "I trust it will continue indefinitely."
"We always make up and get very chummy after he has been absent for anytime," she returned.
"I wonder how he will view his new cousin?" I said.
The Princess laughed. "With considerable surprise, I fancy;particularly if he meet you in that uniform in a dimly-lighted corridorof the palace, at night."
"Have the Dalbergs no ghost such as is appurtenant to allwell-regulated royal families?"
"Alas! We have not; but you could give us a fine one."
"Well, I won't," I said.
"And yet, who knows?" she reflected with sudden seriousness; "your veryresemblance to yonder picture may, sometime, be of service to you."
"Then, I shall not hesitate to use it."
"At any rate, I hope I shall be by when my cousin of Lotzen gets hisfirst look at you."
"As the family spectre or _in propria persona_?"
"As both; but _in persona_, first," she said.
Just then, the corridor door swung back, and a voice announced:
"His Royal Highness, the Duke of Lotzen!"
The Princess caught her breath, in surprise, and glanced quickly at theKing.
"Does His Highness always grant your wishes so promptly?" I asked.
But she did not hear me. She was watching the Duke as he advanced tothe King and bent knee.
And I, too, watched him; and with interest--this man, with whom Iproposed to make a contest for the throne.
He had the grace of one reared in Courts and the ease of one born tohigh command. He made me feel awkward even as I sat. His height wasnot above the medium, but his figure was so well proportioned he seemedalmost my own size--and, yet, I knew I would top him by three inches.He wore the full dress uniform of a Lieutenant-General of Cavalry; and,with his black hair and moustache and well-cut face, he looked, inevery line, the dashing beau sabreur.
When he had greeted the King, and spoken to Lady Helen, he turned and,with eyes on Dehra, came toward us. Courtney and I arose and steppedback. The Princess swung around in her chair and gave him her hand,but without a word of welcome--and he spoke none. Then, as he unbent,his eyes rested on me for the first time.
Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the firsttime.]
I have never ceased to admire the self-control Lotzen showed then. Hegave me an instant's glance; flung another at the portrait behind me;and, then, clicking his heels sharply together, he raised his hand insalute--but, whether to me or to the portrait, I could not know. Myown hand went up with his and remained a moment longer; for I was thejunior in actual rank, though he could not know it, for my presentuniform was no guide.
"Since no one has presented the Colonel of the Red Huzzars, will he notdo the service for himself?" he said, very courteously.
"I cry your pardon, gentlemen," exclaimed the King; "and I herewithpresent, to the Duke of Lotzen, his cousin, the Grand Duke Armand."
Lotzen extended his hand in frank greeting. "You are a Dalberg--anyone could see--but whence?"
"From America," I answered.
He knew his family records well. "Then, you are the heir of Hugo," hesaid instantly. "And you come in good time, cousin; there have beenfew enough Dalbergs in Valeria this generation."
"Your cousin will appreciate your welcome," said the King, before Icould make reply. Then he raised his glass. "I give you: The NewArchduke," he said.
I bowed low; yet, not so low, but that I caught the smile Dehra gaveme, over her glass, and the sharp glance with which Lotzen noted it.
"Is he friend or foe?" I wondered--though the answer was evident.Plainly, he was no fool and, therefore, why should he be my friend?
And such was the view of another; for, a bit later, as I swung the LadyHelen into saddle, she whispered:
"Lotzen will bear watching."
"I shall need friends," I answered, slowly, arranging her skirt.
"Sometimes, a woman's wit is helpful."
"And I may count on yours?"
"Surely--mine, and another's, too, I fancy," she smiled.
Then she and Courtney rode away--but halted almost instantly, and hecalled back to me to stop at the Embassy on the morrow and sign somepapers.
For, of course, now, I could not live, even for a night, at theAmerican Legation; and, already, a suite had been prepared for me inthe Palace.
The four of us went to the King's library; and, after a while, Lotzenwithdrew on the plea of an official appointment. But His Majesty andthe Princess and I sat until late in the night discussing the _modusvivendi_ for me. Many matters were determined by them; and, in all, Iacquiesced instantly; for they knew what was proper and I did not.
It was decided that, for the present, I was to reside in the Palace. Idid not care for a separate establishment until I had more experiencein the dignities of an Archduke. Neither did I desire, now, a fullmilitary staff; and so I was to have only two aides--whom Frederickselected after much thought.
The senior was Colonel Bernheim--who had brought the invitation to theBirthday Ball, and the commands of the Princess to dance with her thatnight. His tour of duty with the Royal Aides was about ended, and,being an officer of much experience in the Court, he would be able tokeep me straight, so to speak.
The other aide was a Major Moore--an Irish soldier of fortune, who hadbeen in the Valerian Army some ten years, and, by his efficiency, hadbecome attached to the General Staff. He was of noble birth--theyounger son of a younger son of an Irish Earl--and "as an Irishman ismore than half an American he will, doubtless, be congenial," the Kingsaid.
I had liked Bernheim's manner, and I was willing to risk an Irishman'sfaith to his chief. I asked, only, whether either was an intimate ofthe Duke of Lotzen.
"That is a perfectly reasonable question," said Frederick instantly."I know that Bernheim has never liked the Heir Presumptive and thatMoore is not a favorite with the Prince."
"Then, I am quite content with them," said I.
"And you may also feel content," said he, "in that I appreciate yourposition here and its difficulties, and I shall stand behind you. Buta King's favorite, even though of the Royal Family, is rarely popular
,so I shall obtrude no more than is necessary to show you have my goodwill. When you want more, ask for it."
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars Page 10