"
"Have you any doubt of it after the note--and now?"
"Then you will accept?" she exclaimed, so loudly I raised my hand in
warning.
"Yes," said I. "I shall accept--are you glad?"
She plucked at her horse's mane and glanced at me covertly; then she
turned and smiled--one of those overpowering smiles that had clung to
me through the years.
"Yes, Armand, I am glad. You are a--dear."
I reined over closer. "Sometime," I began----
She stopped me. "A dear _cousin_, I mean," she cut in.
I went back to my side of the road; but I took another smile with me.
Then Lady Helen pressed forward. "It is growing late, Your Royal
Highness. I shall have to turn toward town," she said.
I glanced at Courtney and he nodded that he would ride back with her.
And the Princess saw and understood; and would not have it so.
"No, my dear Helen," said she, "you and Mr. Courtney and Major Dalberg
shall dine with His Majesty and me this evening."
"But, Your Highness,"----Lady Helen began.
"But me no buts," said Dehra; "it will be _en famille_; come along."
Courtney gave me an amused smile and shook his head; but, like a good
courtier, he made no protest. For my part, I was very glad for his
company on this particular evening.
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