He leaned over and put his hand on my arm. "Brace up, old chap," he said; "there"s no boiling caldron and no witches."
"There are troubles of sorts other than those the caldron brewed," I remarked.
We turned a bend in the road. "And witches of other sorts than those of Fores" Heath," he laughed. "Behold!"
A hundred yards ahead, rode the Princess and Lady Helen Radnor.
"Here"s your opportunity, Courtney," I observed.
He stared at me.
"To escort Lady Helen back to town." I explained.
"Thank you," he said, and shrugged his shoulders.
"Don"t be a bear," said I; "most men would be glad enough for the chance."
Then we reined aside and saluted.
"Will you join us?" said the Princess.
"We shall be delighted," I said and swung over beside her.
"I don"t know what to do with Lady Helen," she whispered hurriedly.
"Courtney will look after her," I volunteered.
But she did not seem to hear. "I came alone to meet you," she went on, "and overtook her on the way."
"You came to meet me?" I asked.
She nodded. "I fear you will think me very forward, but I--well, I wanted to know your decision."
"Have you any doubt of it after the note--and now?"
"Then you will accept?" she exclaimed, so loudly I raised my hand in warning.
"Yes," said I. "I shall accept--are you glad?"
She plucked at her horse"s mane and glanced at me covertly; then she turned and smiled--one of those overpowering smiles that had clung to me through the years.
"Yes, Armand, I am glad. You are a--dear."
I reined over closer. "Sometime," I began----
She stopped me. "A dear _cousin_, I mean," she cut in.
I went back to my side of the road; but I took another smile with me.
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 Amba.s.sador 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 G.o.d bless you," he said.