"
He laughed heartily. "You are quite too modest, Armand. You spoke of a
place at Court; would you accept one?"
"Surely, sire, you knew I was only jesting!" I exclaimed.
"Of course," said he; "but I'm not. I am entirely serious."
"I suppose," said I, "I'm as ambitious as most men."
"A little more so, if you're a good Dalberg," the King interjected.
"But am I a good Dalberg?"
He waved his hand toward a mirror in the wall. "Use your eyes," he said.
"I don't mean physically," I objected.
"I am very willing to trust Nature. She didn't give you old Henry's body
and then mock it with inferior abilities."
I shook my head.
"Besides," he went on, "I admit I have had a report on you from my
Ambassador at Washington."
"I trust," said I, with a laugh, "it has left me a few shreds of repute."
"It didn't hurt you much, my lad."
That was the third time he had called me his "lad."
"Your Majesty then offers me a title and a place at Court?"
The King smiled. "Yes," said he; "a high title and a high place."
I pulled on my cigar and tried to think. But, on every cloud of smoke, I
seemed to see the Princess; and all my brain knew was the single idea:
"It will bring me within reach of her.
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