"This may be a bit unconventional," said Dehra, addressing Lady Helen,
rather than me, "but, if the English Ambassador can stand it, I will
answer for the King of Valeria."
"And I'll answer for the American Ambassador," I volunteered.
"Then the others don't matter," Lady Helen laughed.
"You surely have relieved us very much, Major Dalberg," the Princess
added. "Lady Helen and I have been so concerned for your reputation;
you risk so much, you know, in breakfasting alone with two unmarried
young women."
"I'm quite sensible of my danger," I answered, and looked blandly from
one to the other.
The Princess kept her eyes on her plate; but Lady Helen gazed at me in
some surprise.
"If you're not better behaved, sir, I'll take you away at once," she
said.
"You're only putting a premium on a continuance of it," said Dehra.
"No, I'm not, Your Highness; he hasn't finished his breakfast."
"You're very wise," the Princess laughed.
Lady Helen shook her head. "You see, I've known Major Dalberg a long
time," she said.
"Oh! then you had met before the night of the Ball?"
I looked at Dehra wonderingly. Had she forgotten that I myself had
told her, on the terrace, how long I had known the Radnors.
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