Then Lady Helen pressed forward. "It is growing late, Your Royal
Highness. I shall have to turn toward town," she said.
I glanced at Courtney and he nodded that he would ride back with her.
And the Princess saw and understood; and would not have it so.
"No, my dear Helen," said she, "you and Mr. Courtney and Major Dalberg
shall dine with His Majesty and me this evening."
"But, Your Highness,"----Lady Helen began.
"But me no buts," said Dehra; "it will be _en famille_; come along."
Courtney gave me an amused smile and shook his head; but, like a good
courtier, he made no protest. For my part, I was very glad for his
company on this particular evening.
We entered the Park by a narrow gate opening on a bridle path leading
to one of the private doors of the Palace. As I lifted the Princess
down, she whispered:
"I think you should see the King at once."
"I am in your hands," I answered.
"The others would scarcely think so," she smiled.
Then I realized I was holding her as tightly as when I had swung her
out of saddle. I stepped back with a quick apology.
"Oh, they didn't see it," she said, and ran up the steps.
I smiled. She, too, like Lady Helen, had not forgotten to look about
her. Women, it would seem, are rather prudent at such times.
"Well," said Courtney, a bit later, when we were alone, "this is a
queer go, sure enough. What did the Princess mean by bringing Lady
Helen and me to a family party, and at such a time?"
"I think she meant to be considerate to you and good to me. She
thought, doubtless, we might be glad to be in together, at the death,
so to speak."
"She is very kind," said he; "but, why Lady Helen?"
"It was all a sudden inspiration and she had to take her to get you."
"I suppose the Princess will explain my presence to the King."
"Oh, he will be glad to see you; he counted on your aiding him in this
matter."
"Then, it's well I didn't fail him--or my usefulness as the American
Ambassador would be ended."
"Surely, he would not have held that against you?"
Courtney smiled rather grimly. "Presently, my dear Major, you will
know a bit more of Courts and Monarchs."
Then the summons came from the King. Instinctively I held out my hand
to Courtney. He gripped it hard.
"Good-bye, old man, and God bless you," he said.
Then I followed the flunkey.
X