"I fear so, sir," he replied.
"Come, no sugar—out with it."
"Well, Your Highness, the town rings with it. It's the sensation of the hour."
"Good," said I. "The more they talk, to-day, the less they will talk, to-morrow."
I paused, and looked him over. He was a thorough-bred; clean-cut, handsome, manly. I never saw a finer figure than he made in his blue and white uniform.
"Now, why wasn't the lady sensible, Colonel, and marry herself to you instead of to me?" I asked.
He fairly jumped. "God forbid," he exclaimed. Then, he laughed. "Besides, I'm thinking, sir, it wasn't looks she was after."
I laughed, too. "Go 'long with you," I said; "you deserve court-martial."
Then I sent him to the King with the request to be received at seven o'clock. He also carried a note to the Princess, telling her I would call at six thirty.
In due time, he returned: The King would receive me at the hour named. The Princess, however, sent her reply by a footman. It was a note; and, except that I was expected for sure at six thirty, it is quite unnecessary to give its contents. They were not intended for general circulation. I might say, however, that the note was eminently satisfactory to me, and that I read it more than once. And it was in the inside pocket of my coat when I rode across to Headquarters to assume my new authority.