Apprehending, however, that Your Majesty
would look with more kindness upon him as a bachelor than as a married
man, it was arranged that I should remain in America. Then, as soon as
the scheme had either succeeded or definitely failed, I was to be sent
for." She turned and looked at me. "It is rather needless to say--in
view of Monsieur Armand's present attitude toward me--that he never
sent for me. But I saw the accounts, in the daily Press, of the
wonderful story of an American Army Officer, Armand Dalberg, being, in
truth, a Prince of Valeria; and how he had been so accepted and
proclaimed by the King. I waited two weeks and more--for word from my
husband--then I came hither--and met the kind reception he gave me in
the Hanging Garden."
She paused an instant; then spoke to me:
"Is there anything material that I have omitted?" she asked.
"Naturally, I do not know, Mrs. Spencer," I answered; "but, judging
from your marvellous power of--invention, I should fancy not."
She turned aside the thrust with a smile.
"The bargain is, now, with you, monsieur," she said. "I await the
explanation of your order."
"It is very simple, Mrs. Spencer," I said curtly; "so simple, indeed, I
am quite sure you guessed it, long ago.
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