It was Colonel Bernheim who brought me the Princess's commands for the
dance; and the courteous way he did his office made me like him on the
instant. And this, though there was a certain deference of manner that
was rather suggestive.
The Princess was in the small room behind the throne and, when I was
announced, beckoned me to her.
"Major Dalberg," said she, when I had made my bow, "I have ordered the
band to play an American quickstep; will you dance it with me as it is
done at your great school--West Point, is it not?"
It was done very neatly, indeed. No one of those present could have
imagined there was any prior arrangement as to that particular dance.
I saw the King smile approvingly.
"Your Royal Highness honors my country and its army, but through a very
unworthy representative, I fear," I said, as I gave her my arm. Then
the music began.
I have very little recollection of that dance; but I do know that Dehra
needed no instruction in our way of doing the two-step; she glided
through it as naturally as a Point-girl herself. And, when I told her
so, she shrugged her pretty shoulders and answered:
"You are not the first American attaché, you know."
"Nor the last, either," I replied, and then held my peace, though I saw
her hide a smile behind her roses.
"But you are the first that has been my cousin," she said sweetly,--and
I succumbed, of course. Yet I was punished promptly, nevertheless, for
at the throne she stopped and I led her back to the King.
"May I not have another dance later?" I asked.
She shook her head. "Don't you think you have been already favored
more than you deserve, cousin?"
"Yes," said I, "I do; that's why I am encouraged to ask for more."
"What a paragon of modesty!" she mocked.