The next instant, I was bending over the Princess's hand and
listening to her words of welcome and congratulation. When I turned to
Lady Helen she curtsied deeply, even as she would have done for one of
her own Princes.
"God save Your Royal Highness," she said.
And, as I raised her hand and kissed it, I tried, in vain, to read in
her eyes whether she meant it or was only mocking me.
Then, we went in to dinner--and, here, was a surprise for me, also.
It was the same room we had breakfasted in the previous day, but now,
upon the wall, fronting us as we entered, hung a full-length portrait
of an officer in the uniform of the Red Huzzars. It was the Great
Henry; but it could just as well have been myself. Surely, outwardly,
at least, he was my _alter ego_.
Even Courtney's astonishment pierced his heavy equanimity; and Lady
Helen stopped sharply and gazed at the painting and, then, at me, and,
then, at the painting, again, in silent wonder. For although they both
knew, generally, of the resemblance, it needed the uniform to bring it
out in full effect.
"Your Majesty has given us a series of surprises to-night," said
Courtney.
"It is surely wonderful--almost beyond belief," said Lady Helen.
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