"Maybe our chairs are still vacant; better take Courtney to them," I
said maliciously.
It was not quite fair, possibly; and she told me so with her eyes,
though her lips smiled. I knew I had given her another score to settle.
VI
THE SIXTH DANCE
It was Colonel Bernheim who brought me the Princess's commands for the
dance; and the courteous way he did his office made me like him on the
instant. And this, though there was a certain deference of manner that
was rather suggestive.
The Princess was in the small room behind the throne and, when I was
announced, beckoned me to her.
"Major Dalberg," said she, when I had made my bow, "I have ordered the
band to play an American quickstep; will you dance it with me as it is
done at your great school--West Point, is it not?"
It was done very neatly, indeed. No one of those present could have
imagined there was any prior arrangement as to that particular dance.
I saw the King smile approvingly.
"Your Royal Highness honors my country and its army, but through a very
unworthy representative, I fear," I said, as I gave her my arm. Then
the music began.
I have very little recollection of that dance; but I do know that Dehra
needed no instruction in our way of doing the two-step; she glided
through it as naturally as a Point-girl herself.
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