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"Do you appreciate that you had the audacity to propose to the Princess Royal of Valeria while she sat in the Royal Box before all the fashion of Dornlitz?" "My dear," said I, "I would propose to her a dozen times under like conditions if I thought, at the end, she would do as she has done to-night." "If she had known that, she might have put you to the test."
Dehra looked at me steadily. I understood. "Yes," said I, "she has made a try at me; once in New York; again, and only recently, in Pittsburgh. I escaped both times, thank God." "She may make another try at you here." I laughed. "She failed twice in America; she can scarcely win in Dornlitz when you are beside me." "But I'm not always beside you," she objected. "Not physically," I said.
"So you have heard of it?" "I knew it years ago." "Oh, how stupid!" she exclaimed. "Of course, this is not your first visit to Dornlitz. Yet, it's a queer coincidence that you should have both the family name and the great Henry's features." "Oh, no," said I; "not particularly queer, since I am his great-great-grandson." She closed her fan with a snap. "His great-great-grandson!" she echoed.
"You were about to tell me why you came to Dornlitz." She arose languidly, and began to draw on her gloves. "Oh, was I? Well, then, I've changed my mind." "I bid you good-day, Mrs. Spencer," I said, and turned away. She gave a light laugh. "Aren't you glad to be rid of me, dear?" I faced about. "Very," I said bluntly.
At one of the gates, the officer condescended to tell me that he was acting under the express order of Field Marshal, His Royal Highness the Governor of Dornlitz." "And he told you the truth," I said. "Of course he did," she laughed. "I never doubted it. What I want to know is your reason for the order." "And that is what brought you here?" I asked.
"On it you will endorse that it is a false certificate; that you are not and never were his wife; that it was procured for you, in New York, long subsequent to its apparent date; and that you were paid an enormous sum of money fill in the actual amount, please to go immediately to Dornlitz, exhibit the certificate, there, and publicly claim the Grand Duke Armand as your husband.
"Listen," said I. "He reached Dornlitz two days ago. Yesterday afternoon he insulted me repeatedly in my office at Headquarters. Last night I attended the Vierle Masque. While in the Garden I was struck in the back with a dagger." "Stabbed!" she exclaimed, and clutched my arm. "No, dear not even scratched, thanks to Bernheim's steel vest I was wearing.
He gave it a quick glance and nodded. "Yes, that went with Hugo," he said. I was surprised and looked it. "Oh, the family records are very complete as to the affair of your headstrong ancestor," he explained. "Old Henry himself set it all out in his journal; and he speaks of this very miniature as having been given to Hugo by his mother, the day he left Dornlitz.
I believe she has dared to follow you here." I shook my head. "Never in my life have I used words to woman such as I used to her in Pittsburgh. Oh, no, she has not followed me." "Then, why is she here so soon after your coming?" Dehra persisted. "Why do thousands visit Dornlitz every month?" I asked. "She is no casual visitor." "Very likely," I agreed.
"You remain exactly what you were before the Decree was signed," he said. She turned to me. "Since I am to live in Dornlitz the rest of my days, where is it your gracious purpose that I reside in the Epsau Palace or where?" "Except to assure you it will not be in the Epsau, it is no concern of mine where you live," I answered.
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