"Does His Highness always grant your wishes so promptly?" I asked.
But she did not hear me. She was watching the Duke as he advanced to
the King and bent knee.
And I, too, watched him; and with interest--this man, with whom I
proposed to make a contest for the throne.
He had the grace of one reared in Courts and the ease of one born to
high command. He made me feel awkward even as I sat. His height was
not above the medium, but his figure was so well proportioned he seemed
almost my own size--and, yet, I knew I would top him by three inches.
He wore the full dress uniform of a Lieutenant-General of Cavalry; and,
with his black hair and moustache and well-cut face, he looked, in
every line, the dashing beau sabreur.
When he had greeted the King, and spoken to Lady Helen, he turned and,
with eyes on Dehra, came toward us. Courtney and I arose and stepped
back. The Princess swung around in her chair and gave him her hand,
but without a word of welcome--and he spoke none. Then, as he unbent,
his eyes rested on me for the first time.
[Illustration: Then, as he unbent, his eyes rested on me for the first
time.]
I have never ceased to admire the self-control Lotzen showed then.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123