"It's a great pity," he said, sadly. "Otherwise, if Hugo had, in effect,
never been disinherited and if the legitimacy of his descendants had been
specifically preserved by Royal Decree, you would accept our offer?"
"Yes," said I--"or, at least, I would give it serious consideration," I
added with a laugh.
The King turned slowly and, for a space, kept his eyes fixed steadily on
my face, as though searching there for an answer to something about which
his mind was undecided. Have you ever had a monarch or one high in
authority look at you so? If you have, you are likely to remember it
many days.
Then he arose abruptly and, crossing to a large vault built in a far
corner, returned with a heavy black box curiously bound with brass and
inlaid with silver. Placing it on the table between us, he took from his
watch chain a small antique key and pushing it, with a queer side-motion,
into the lock, it opened with a sharp snap, and he threw back the lid.
"I wonder," said he, as he lifted out a thick leather-covered book with
heavy metal hinges, "if there are many Americans whom it would be so
difficult to persuade to accept a royal title?"
"I fancy it would be much the same with all the truly representative old
American families," said I.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Then, for the credit of America, it's a pity
Europe does not know some of those same old families; if they are the
Country's true Nobility."
"Yes, but not Nobility on European lines," said I. "They are the
_worthy_ descendants of those who founded the Nation; and the proudest
patent is a commission from King or Colony or from the Continental
Congress in the Revolution."
The King smiled. "Isn't that every Nation's Nobility--the descendants of
the officers who helped their chief to establish a kingdom?"
"It may be so," I answered; "but the systems are wide apart. You will
observe, I said the _worthy_ descendants. In America it needs manhood as
well as birthright--gentle living as well as gentle blood."
"While with us it needs only gentle blood, you mean?" said Frederick,
good naturedly. "Well, we shall not argue over the matter; and,
particularly, since the Dalbergs have no fault to find with their
representative among the American Nobility; it's rather he who is ashamed
of his Valerian relatives."
"I am quite satisfied with the two I've met," I protested.
"So well, indeed, with one of them that you kissed her instantly," the
King laughed.
"And am glad, now, I did it. I shall never have another chance."
He shot a quick glance at me, as he opened the book and began to turn the
heavy parchment pages, which I could see were illumined in beautiful
colors and with strange, large lettering. Presently, these ended and the
characters seemed to be in ancient script, which, gradually grew more
modern. At one of these later pages, the King stopped and addressed me:
"You have said that, unless Hugo's rights and the Dalberg legitimacy of
his descendants were preserved, by special Decree, made during Hugo's
life, you would decline to return to Court." He paused a moment, then
went on: "It would almost seem that old Henry had some presentiment of a
certain stubborn-minded grandchild, for he provided for just such a
condition as you have made. This book is the Laws of the House of
Dalberg. Listen to what is written touching Hugo, son of Henry the
Third."
Instinctively, I arose and stood at attention.
The King read:
"Section one-hundred twenty-first--For inasmuch as our second son, Hugo,
hath, in defiance of our specific prohibition, this day left our Kingdom
and gone over Sea to the North American Colonies of Great Britain, there
to join the forces of one, George Washington, who is leading a revolt
against his lawful sovereign, the King of England, with whom I am at
peace; It is hereby decreed that the said Hugo shall forfeit all titles
and emoluments heretofore conferred, and his name is hereby stricken from
the Family Roll. From this day he ceaseth to be a Dalberg of Valeria.
"HENRY III, Rex.
"Ye 17th October, A.D., 1777."
Frederick glanced up. "That was the judgment," said he. "Listen, now,
to the pardon:--
"Section one-hundred twenty-fifth--Whereas, we have learned that our
second son, Hugo, hath served with much honour in the American Army under
General Washington, and hath, since the termination of hostilities,
married into a good family in one of the said American States, called
Maryland, and hath assumed residence therein; and whereas he hath never
sought aid from us nor sued for pardon; Now, therefore, in recognition of
his valour and self-reliance and true Dalberg independence, it is decreed
that Section one-hundred twenty-one, supra, be annulled; and Hugo's name
is hereby reinstated on the Family Roll in its proper place, the same as
though never stricken therefrom. And it is further decreed that the
marriage of Hugo and the marriages of his descendants shall be deemed
valid and lawful, the same as though their respective consorts were of
the Blood Royal."
"Is that sufficiently definite, sir?" the King asked.
"It is very extraordinary," I said, in wonder.
"There is a bit more," he said, and resumed reading:
"The titles conferred upon Hugo shall, however, remain in abeyance until
claimed anew by him or by his right heir male; nor shall the latter be
eligible to the Crown unless hereinafter specifically decreed so to
be--or, in event of a vacancy in the royal dignity without such decree
having been so made, then, by special Act of the House of Nobles.
"HENRY III., Rex,
"Ye 7th September, A.D. 1785."
The King closed the book. "That," said he, "is the record," and motioned
me to sit down.
I obeyed mechanically. Through my head was ringing those last few words
that made possible the Crown of my ancestors. Under the Decree I was, de
jure, the eldest male after the King; it needed only his act to make me
his successor. A single line, sealed with his seal, in that big book
just beside me, and plain Armand Dalberg, Major in the Army of the United
States of America, would be Heir Presumptive to one of the great Kingdoms
of Earth. And Dehra! I could get no further. Crown and Kingdom faded
and I saw only a woman's face.----
Then the King coughed, and I came sharply back to life, and visions fled.
But, even then, realities seemed almost visions, still.
I turned to the King. "Will Your Majesty permit me a few days to
consider the matter?" I asked.
"As many as you wish, my boy," he said kindly.
"It is all so extraordinary. I am in no condition to look at it with
even reasonable judgment."
"I think," said he, "I can quite understand."
"But there is something I can foresee, even now," said I.