"We were old dinner and cotillon partners in Washington," Lady Helen
explained. "He was very kind to me there."
"That wasn't a very difficult task, was it, Major Dalberg?" Dehra
asked, fixing her blue eyes on my face.
"Please, Your Highness--please," exclaimed Lady Helen, holding up her
hands.
"I think," I replied, "that Lady Helen is, in herself, the best answer
to Your Highness's question."
Just then there came a step in the corridor and the King stood in the
doorway.
"Good morning, Lady Helen," he said, taking her fingers and raising
them to his lips in the beautiful old-fashion; "it is a pleasure to see
you here again." Then he bent and kissed Dehra on the forehead, and
turning to me said, extending his hand: "And, Major Dalberg, you are
very welcome."
Frederick was monarch of a powerful nation, but he could, if he so
wished, make those about him forget his crown and see only the
quiet-mannered gentleman. With a word of excuse to us he drew the
Princess aside to a window embrasure. I turned to Lady Helen.
"So," said I, "you've been here before?"
She smiled.
"And this is not your first breakfast with Her Highness?" I went on.
Another smile.
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