"Any man's would be the same--your own to one in a similar position."
I could not deny it; but I would make no decision under the present
influences. I must have a season of calm thought and careful judgment.
The King waited a moment. "Well, take your own good pleasure, Armand,"
said he; "only, the sooner you come to Court the less time you will
waste."
Of course, I saw his meaning. "I shall ask but one day, at the most."
"Good," said he. "This is Friday--dine with Dehra and me here to-morrow
evening. Come by the private entrance."
Then we went back to the Princess and Lady Helen. But what a different
life had opened to me in the short absence.
IX
THE DECISION
I was sitting alone in the library late that night when Courtney came
in. He had been to some function at the French Embassy, from which I
had begged off, and seemed surprised to see me.
"Taps are a bit late to-night," he remarked, pouring a measure of
Scotch and shooting in the soda.
"I've been thinking," I answered.
"For Heaven's sake. Major," he began--then put down his glass and
looked at me curiously.
"You were about to say?" I questioned.
He glanced at the clock.
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