I turned to the King.  “Will Your Majesty permit me a few days to consider 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 with even 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 it floated 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 his House.”

“What, think you, then, Sire, would be his attitude in such an anomalous situation 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 is perfectly evident.  Under the Law, here, it needs but my Decree to make you eligible to the Crown; and that necessarily would displace Lotzen and make 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 asked sharply.  “I am the King; here are the Laws.  What Dalberg would dispute them?”

“But, Your Majesty, Lotzen might not be alone in disputing them—­the Army and the House of Nobles might join him.  And, assuming that you would never intend to displace Lotzen by me, nevertheless, you would be put into the embarrassing position of seeming to be coerced by your subjects.”

“Coerced!  Coerced!” said Frederick, flinging his cigar savagely into the grate.  “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,” he said; “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 the question only upon the hypothesis that Lotzen shall not be displaced——?”

“Don’t be a fool, Armand,” Frederick cut in.  “Of course, I cannot prevent your renouncing all right to the Crown, but it will be most displeasing to me and against my express wish.”

“Your Majesty is very flattering.”

“His Majesty is very selfish.  Since he has no son, he wants the privilege of choosing his successor.”

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