"Major Dalberg, of the United States Army, Your Majesty," he said
quickly. "The representative of our War Department with your army."
"Dalberg--Dalberg," he muttered; then added, perfunctorily: "Our army
is at your service, sir, though I fear we shall be unable to give you
the war."
"The army is quite enough, Sire," I began; but it was plain he did not
hear me. He was studying my face again and thinking. Courtney, I
could see, was having the finest sort of sport. I could have throttled
him.
"You have our name, Major," said the King. "May I ask if it is a
common one in America?"
"I know of no family but my own that bears it, there," I answered.
He sat down and motioned for us to do likewise.
"I am interested," said he. "Has your family been long in America?"
"Since the year 1777."
He leaned a bit forward. "That was during your Revolutionary War."
"Yes, Your Majesty. It was that year Lafayette joined Washington's
Army." That will give him a surprise, I thought.
It did.
"Do you know the name of the Dalberg of 1777?" he asked quickly.
I saw no profit in evasion. "He was Hugo, second son of Henry the
Third of Valeria," I replied.
"I knew it," he exclaimed, jumping up and coming over to me.
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