Then the smile came again. "But, by
the Lord, sir, I admire your pluck--to kiss the Princess Royal of
Valeria before her father's very face."
"It wasn't pluck," I protested. "It was rank ignorance. I was at a
loss what greeting was proper;" and I explained my perplexity.
"Of course," he said kindly, but with a shrewd twinkle in his blue
eyes, "I understand. Only, I fancy it would be wiser that I make your
excuses to your cousin. For, believe me, my dear Major, for one in
such doubt you kissed her with amazing promptness."
This time Courtney laughed aloud and the King and I joined him.
"Then you think I may venture, sometime, to speak to her without
renewed offence?" I asked presently, as we were about to retire.
"Assuredly," said the King. "When you meet her again to-night act as
though you had known her always. I'll answer for it, she will not
respond with a blow."
Just at the door he called to me.
"Major," he said, "which would be your preference: to be introduced
to-night as one of the Blood, or to hold off a while and continue your
duties as American Attache?"
I had had this very matter in my mind a moment before. "With Your
Majesty's permission I will execute my orders--at least, for the
present," I said.
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