This time it was he who doubled his fist at me.
Then a door behind me opened and I heard the trail of a gown--whose, it
was easy to guess. Only one woman could have the privilege of entering
the King's presence unbidden.
As Courtney and I arose and stepped back, the Princess halted
uncertainly.
"Come, Dehra," said the King. "You know the American Ambassador."
Courtney bowed, but the Princess held out her hand, saying cordially:
"We are glad to welcome Mr. Courtney here as a resident."
Courtney made some fitting reply,--there was always one on the end of
his tongue. And then the King turned to me.
"Major Dalberg," he said, "salute your cousin."
I do not know which cousin was the more startled, but I am quite sure
which was the more embarrassed. In truth, for a moment, I was too
confused to move. The one thought that kept pounding through my brain
was: "What am I expected to do?" Frederick had saluted me with a kiss;
was it possible he meant me to kiss Dehra! I glanced across at
Courtney,--he was struggling to suppress his merriment,--then back at
the Princess; and caught what I was fool enough to imagine was a look
of glad surprise. She had recognized and remembered me.
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