The following morning I was formally presented to the Royal Council and
took my place at the Board, on the left of the King, the Duke of Lotzen
being on his right. His Majesty stated briefly my descent, the law of
the case as laid down by the Great Henry, and that I had accepted a
restitution of the rights and privileges due to the eldest male heir of
Hugo.
"I ask your consideration for him, my Lords, the same as though he were
our own son," he ended. "I will answer for him--he is a Dalberg."
At this there was applause and the members of the Council pressed
forward and welcomed me as an Archduke of the Kingdom, taking my hand
and bending knee before me. It seemed a bit queer, but I got through
it satisfactorily to myself--particularly so since there was no kissing
in it.
Then the Council began its business and the Prime Minister, Count
Epping, read a tentative proposition of peace, which, he said, he
understood had already been practically accepted by Titia.
It provided that Murdol should be permitted to determine for itself, by
the vote of its citizens, whether it would remain a province of Valeria
or become, once more, a part of Titia. In the latter event, Titia was
to pay Valeria the value of all the public buildings in Murdol erected
or rebuilt by Valeria, and, further, to reimburse Valeria for her war
expenses. But, if Murdol voted to remain with Valeria, then, Titia was
to pay all the cost of the war.
"I need hardly say to the Council," the Prime Minister remarked, "that,
thus far, the terms are entirely satisfactory to His Majesty; but there
is another detail, suggested by our friend, the intermediary, which is
not so agreeable. It is only a suggestion, but, I fear, has much to do
with Titia's acquiescence. It is that the peace be further cemented by
a marriage between the Royal Families of Valeria and Titia."
Then the Count sat down, and all faces were turned toward the King.
Frederick ran his eyes slowly around the table. I did the like. There
were but three faces which did not show favor for the marriage--and, of
course, the three were the King's, Lotzen's, and mine. At least, I
assume mine evidenced my repugnance. I am quite sure I felt it.
"It is altogether useless, my Lords, for us to discuss the marriage
matter," said Frederick. "I have given my word to Her Royal Highness
that she shall not be coerced in her choice of a husband, and it shall
not be broken. So long as she weds within her circle, she may marry
when and where and whom she will. Save for that restriction, Valeria
will make peace with Titia upon the terms specified. We refused the
marriage before the war began; we refuse it now; we would refuse it
were Casimir's guns thundering without the walls."
They were good courtiers--these men of the Council--for they sprang to
their feet and cheered enthusiastically. And so the matter ended, for
the time. Altogether, I was well pleased with the doings of the
morning.
And so was Courtney, when I told him of it, over a whiskey and soda in
his library, later in the day. Possibly, I violated the proprieties in
disclosing the business of the Royal Council, but I knew Courtney
understood I was talking to my friend and not to the Ambassador.
"I wish," said I, "you would give me your opinion of Lotzen."
Courtney smiled. "He is clever--very clever," he said.
"Even I could guess that after last evening," I cut in.
"He is ambitious, rather unscrupulous, and wholly dangerous," Courtney
continued.
"A pleasant sort of rival," I commented.
"And, finally, he is infatuated with the Princess Royal."
"That may be a fatal weakness," said I.
"Truly, you seem to have gained wisdom overnight--Your Highness," said
he.
"And shall need many nights and much, very much, wisdom, I fear."
He nodded. "That you will--particularly, if you make a confidant of
women."