"You don't act like a blind man," he said.
"I can see the Princess very clearly, but only with Major Dalberg's
eyes," I replied.
"But if you were proclaimed the----"
I cut him short. "I am too old for rainbow-chasing, and Spanish
Castles don't become an ambassador."
"There you are wrong, my dear Major; diplomacy deals in _chateaux en
Espagne_. It has builded many upon weaker foundations than this one,
that have, in time, become substantial and lasting."
"Then, it's a good thing that we army fellows are called upon,
occasionally, to tumble a few of them about your diplomatic ears."
He laughed. "You poor military men don't know it's only the phantom
castles you tumble. We never give you a chance at any others."
"So I've been a Don Quixote all these years and didn't know it?"
"About that!"
"And that warrants you in sending me to tilt against this foolish
heir-presumptive windmill."
"But if it were to prove no windmill?"
"Surely," I said--"Surely, you are not serious?"
He gave me one of his quick glances and his hand went back to his chin.
"'Quien sabe?' as the Spaniard would say, Major; 'Quien sabe?'" he
replied.
"Don't be an ass, Courtney," I exclaimed.
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