The Colonel of the Red Huzzars Page 8

  VIII

  THE LAWS OF THE DALBERGS

  "Are you in haste to return?" the King asked Lady Helen.

  "None whatever, sire," she replied.

  "And you, Major Dalberg?" he asked.

  "I am at Your Majesty's service," said I, bowing.

  "Then, if the ladies will excuse you for a short while?"

  "Don't make it too short, sire," said Lady Helen--and then the doorclosed and saved me a reply; which, doubtless, was as well, for I havenot yet thought of a good one.

  "Bright girl, that," said the King.

  "Yes," said I, "embarrassingly bright at times."

  "Was she in Washington with Radnor?"

  "Yes; I knew her there."

  "Then you don't need to be warned."

  I was silent.

  "She has incapacitated half my military household with lacerated heartsor, indirectly, with punctured bodies; there is small difference."

  "Better have only married officers," I suggested.

  "Lord, sir, they are the first victims. Immunes are what I want."

  "Like myself, for instance," said I.

  He turned and put his hand on my shoulder. "I've had plenty like you,lad," he said kindly.

  I laughed. "Then I may not hope for a place at Court?" I asked--andstraightway wondered why I had asked it.

  We had just come to a small door, before which paced a soldier of theGuard, and the King made no reply until we were in his private libraryand he had motioned me to a chair and an assortment of pipes and cigars.

  "It was something of that sort that I want to discuss with you, if Imay," he said.

  "If you may?" I echoed.

  He nodded. "You are a subject of the United States and a representativeof its government at my Court."

  "I had forgotten their significance," I admitted.

  "But, with your permission, we can lay aside our officialism and hold afamily conference."

  The idea of my holding a family conference with the King of Valeria! Ismiled involuntarily; and Frederick saw it.

  "Don't you feel quite at home in the family, yet, my lad?" he asked.

  "It is not Your Majesty's fault if I don't," said I; "but royalty is abit new and strange to me."

  He laughed heartily. "You are quite too modest, Armand. You spoke of aplace at Court; would you accept one?"

  "Surely, sire, you knew I was only jesting!" I exclaimed.

  "Of course," said he; "but I'm not. I am entirely serious."

  "I suppose," said I, "I'm as ambitious as most men."

  "A little more so, if you're a good Dalberg," the King interjected.

  "But am I a good Dalberg?"

  He waved his hand toward a mirror in the wall. "Use your eyes," he said.

  "I don't mean physically," I objected.

  "I am very willing to trust Nature. She didn't give you old Henry's bodyand then mock it with inferior abilities."

  I shook my head.

  "Besides," he went on, "I admit I have had a report on you from myAmbassador at Washington."

  "I trust," said I, with a laugh, "it has left me a few shreds of repute."

  "It didn't hurt you much, my lad."

  That was the third time he had called me his "lad."

  "Your Majesty then offers me a title and a place at Court?"

  The King smiled. "Yes," said he; "a high title and a high place."

  I pulled on my cigar and tried to think. But, on every cloud of smoke, Iseemed to see the Princess; and all my brain knew was the single idea:"It will bring me within reach of her." I got up sharply and paced theroom, until I threw off the foolish notion and could look at the matterin its true proportions.

  "Tell me, Your Majesty," I said, "if I accept, will I be regarded as alegitimate descendant of the House of Dalberg or as of a morganaticmarriage?"

  The King nodded. "I had anticipated that would be your first question.You will be legitimate."

  "But," said I, "if I understand the canons of royalty, mygreat-grandfather having married one not of royal rank his descendantsare, as regards the House of Valeria, illegitimate."

  "As a general proposition that is true; but it happens that your case isa peculiar exception."

  "I am glad," said I; "otherwise we had reached an end of the matter."

  "That, Major, is one of your American notions," said the King; "there isno disgrace in morganatic marriages."

  "It's all a question of national taste," said I; "and you know, sire,'_de gustibus non_'----"

  He drummed with his fingers a moment on the table.

  "I have some unhandy views, possibly," said I.

  "Oh, you will soon outgrow them," he returned; "only, it may be a trifleawkward if you parade them."

  "But, maybe, I shall not care to outgrow them." I objected. "And, then,there is another notion--American, too, doubtless--which I fear will be afinal bar."

  "Nonsense, Armand," said the King, a bit sharply. "What other objectioncan even an American raise?"

  "This, sire," said I: "When Hugo left Dornlitz his estates wereforfeited, his titles were revoked and his name was stricken from thefamily roll. How can he now, after a century and a quarter, berehabilitated?"

  "The King, as Head of our House, has full power."

  "Yes, I know; his power in the family is limitless, save that he may notchange the succession to the Crown in favor of a female--more's the pity.But, while Your Majesty may make me a Duke, or even a Prince, yet thatwill not give back to Hugo the rights he was deprived of by his arbitraryfather."

  The King smiled indulgently. "For an American you have a large fund ofsentiment."

  "That is the Dalberg in me, doubtless," I replied.

  "Then, sir. I understand that--because your great-grandfather didn'tlive for one hundred and forty years and so be able now to receive, inthe flesh, the edict of restoration--you, his eldest male heir, refuse toaccept your rights; the rights that come to you through him?"

  "No, that's not exactly it; it's this: For Your Majesty, now, to restoreme to the Family Roll, can be done only upon the hypothesis that all ofHugo's descendants have been debruised by the bar sinister--the very actof restoration presupposes such disqualification."

  "You forget I said you were legitimate," said the King.

  "By your grace; not by old Henry's," I objected.

  "But, recall that Hugo himself was offered his titles and rights by hisbrother and that he declined them."

  "Yes; that is just the point," said I: "he declined them."

  Frederick took a fresh cigar and lit it carefully, blowing the smoke intiny rings to the ceiling.

  "I think I understand now," he said. "You will decline our offer becauseit necessitates the restoration now, of Hugo's descendants, to the FamilyRoll?"

  I bowed in silence.

  "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 beenspecifically preserved by Royal Decree, you would accept our offer?"

  "Yes," said I--"or, at least, I would give it serious consideration," Iadded with a laugh.

  The King turned slowly and, for a space, kept his eyes fixed steadily onmy face, as though searching there for an answer to something about whichhis mind was undecided. Have you ever had a monarch or one high inauthority look at you so? If you have, you are likely to remember itmany days.

  Then he arose abruptly and, crossing to a large vault built in a farcorner, returned with a heavy black box curiously bound with brass andinlaid with silver. Placing it on the table between us, he took from hiswatch 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 withheavy metal hinges, "if there are many Americans whom it would be sodifficult to persuade to accept a royal title?"

  "I fancy it would be much the same with all the truly representative
oldAmerican families," said I.

  He shrugged his shoulders. "Then, for the credit of America, it's a pityEurope does not know some of those same old families; if they are theCountry'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 proudestpatent is a commission from King or Colony or from the ContinentalCongress in the Revolution."

  The King smiled. "Isn't that every Nation's Nobility--the descendants ofthe officers who helped their chief to establish a kingdom?"

  "It may be so," I answered; "but the systems are wide apart. You willobserve, I said the _worthy_ descendants. In America it needs manhood aswell 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 theirrepresentative among the American Nobility; it's rather he who is ashamedof 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," theKing 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 theheavy parchment pages, which I could see were illumined in beautifulcolors and with strange, large lettering. Presently, these ended and thecharacters seemed to be in ancient script, which, gradually grew moremodern. At one of these later pages, the King stopped and addressed me:

  "You have said that, unless Hugo's rights and the Dalberg legitimacy ofhis descendants were preserved, by special Decree, made during Hugo'slife, you would decline to return to Court." He paused a moment, thenwent on: "It would almost seem that old Henry had some presentiment of acertain stubborn-minded grandchild, for he provided for just such acondition as you have made. This book is the Laws of the House ofDalberg. Listen to what is written touching Hugo, son of Henry theThird."

  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 Kingdomand gone over Sea to the North American Colonies of Great Britain, thereto join the forces of one, George Washington, who is leading a revoltagainst his lawful sovereign, the King of England, with whom I am atpeace; It is hereby decreed that the said Hugo shall forfeit all titlesand emoluments heretofore conferred, and his name is hereby stricken fromthe 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 oursecond son, Hugo, hath served with much honour in the American Army underGeneral Washington, and hath, since the termination of hostilities,married into a good family in one of the said American States, calledMaryland, and hath assumed residence therein; and whereas he hath neversought aid from us nor sued for pardon; Now, therefore, in recognition ofhis valour and self-reliance and true Dalberg independence, it is decreedthat Section one-hundred twenty-one, supra, be annulled; and Hugo's nameis hereby reinstated on the Family Roll in its proper place, the same asthough never stricken therefrom. And it is further decreed that themarriage of Hugo and the marriages of his descendants shall be deemedvalid and lawful, the same as though their respective consorts were ofthe 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 untilclaimed anew by him or by his right heir male; nor shall the latter beeligible to the Crown unless hereinafter specifically decreed so tobe--or, in event of a vacancy in the royal dignity without such decreehaving 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 motionedme to sit down.

  I obeyed mechanically. Through my head was ringing those last few wordsthat made possible the Crown of my ancestors. Under the Decree I was, dejure, the eldest male after the King; it needed only his act to make mehis successor. A single line, sealed with his seal, in that big bookjust beside me, and plain Armand Dalberg, Major in the Army of the UnitedStates of America, would be Heir Presumptive to one of the great Kingdomsof Earth. And Dehra! I could get no further. Crown and Kingdom fadedand 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 toconsider 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 witheven reasonable judgment."

  "I think," said he, "I can quite understand."

  "But there is something I can foresee, even now," said I.

  The King smiled. "Trouble?"

  "Yes, trouble in plenty."

  "But if the price be worth it all?" he asked, studying a smoke ring as itfloated lazily upward.

  "The trouble does not bother me."

  "Oh!" said he, "I know that."

  "Then, may I ask," said I, "if the Duke of Lotzen knows of these Decrees?"

  "The Heir Presumptive is always made acquainted with the Laws of hisHouse."

  "What, think you, then, Sire, would be his attitude in such an anomaloussituation as would follow my presence in Valeria as Hugo's heir?"

  "You mean, how would he view a rival for the Crown?"

  "Well, that's a bit broader than I intended," said I.

  The King laughed. "There is no need for us to mince words--the matter isperfectly evident. Under the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to makeyou eligible to the Crown; and that necessarily would displace Lotzen andmake you Heir Presumptive. How do you think he would view it?"

  "How would any man view it?" I asked.

  "But what have Lotzen's views to do with the matter?" Frederick askedsharply. "I am the King; here are the Laws. What Dalberg would disputethem?"

  "But, Your Majesty, Lotzen might not be alone in disputing them--the Armyand the House of Nobles might join him. And, assuming that you wouldnever intend to displace Lotzen by me, nevertheless, you would be putinto the embarrassing position of seeming to be coerced by your subjects."

  "Coerced! Coerced!" said Frederick, flinging his cigar savagely into thegrate. "Do I hear a Dalberg fear that for his King?"

  "Nay, Sire," I protested, "I did not say that."

  But the anger had already passed. "Nonsense, lad, I understand you," hesaid; "only, I know my Kingdom better than you do--yet," and he laughed.

  But I protested again. "Would it not be wiser for me to consider thequestion only upon the hypothesis that Lotzen shall not bedisplaced----?"

  "Don't be a fool, Armand," Frederick cut in. "Of course, I cannotprevent your renouncing all right to the Crown, but it will be mostdispleasing to me and against my express wish."

  "Your Majesty is very flattering."

  "His Majesty is very selfish. Since he has no son, he wants theprivilege of choosing his successor."

  So he meant to give me a chance to win the Crown! I shut my eyes; therewas too much satisfaction in them. Yet, I felt almost ashamed. I hadsneered so often at Courtney and his suggestions; had called him a fooland his words nonsense--even a short half hour ago I would have done thesame again. And now!--Truly there was something strangely impressive andpowerfully alluring about that big, brass-bound book, with its Royalrestitution and honors and
the glorious opportunity extended. Would anyman--nay, would any half-man refuse?

  Then I opened my eyes and met the King's kindly smile.

  "Did the prospect blind you?" he asked.

  "Yes," said I, "it did--maybe my eyes are too weak ever to bear thebright light of royalty."

  "Never fear, lad, never fear; they will soon strengthen. Ask Courtney,if you care to make him a confidant. I am very sure of his advice in thematter."

  "So am I," said I.

  "Any man's would be the same--your own to one in a similar position."

  I could not deny it; but I would make no decision under the presentinfluences. I must have a season of calm thought and careful judgment.

  The King waited a moment. "Well, take your own good pleasure, Armand,"said he; "only, the sooner you come to Court the less time you willwaste."

  Of course, I saw his meaning. "I shall ask but one day, at the most."

  "Good," said he. "This is Friday--dine with Dehra and me here to-morrowevening. Come by the private entrance."

  Then we went back to the Princess and Lady Helen. But what a differentlife had opened to me in the short absence.