A footman handed the King a card, received a message, and withdrew.
"Then let me prove an exception," I cut in.
"I am quite willing; squabbles are so stupid."
"Speaking of cousins; have you quarrelled with Lotzen?"
"Scores of times; we are in the distant bowing stage now."
"Good," said I. "I trust it will continue indefinitely."
"We always make up and get very chummy after he has been absent for any time," she returned.
"I wonder how he will view his new cousin?" I said.
The Princess laughed. "With considerable surprise, I fancy; particularly if he meet you in that uniform in a dimly-lighted corridor of the palace, at night."
"Have the Dalbergs no ghost such as is appurtenant to all well-regulated royal families?"