The Colonel of the Red Huzzars | Page 7

time, and, now, was likely more than a
match for its ancient enemy. Frederick was aging and desired peace in
his closing years. He had long wished for a diplomatic way to rid
himself of the troublesome province, and the marriage of Casimir and
Dehra would afford it. Murdol could be settled upon the Princess as her
dower.
It was an admirable solution of the whole vexing question. Yet, unlike
old Henry, Frederick was the father before he was the King; and,
beyond telling the Princess frankly the policy which moved him in the
matter, he did nothing to coerce her. But the Ministers had no scruples
of affection nor of kinship to control them and they brought all sorts of
persuasive pressure upon her to obtain her consent to the match. All

this was known to the Kingdom, and the vast majority of the people
were with the Princess. The Army was with her to a man.
The first proposal Dehra had declined promptly to the Prince in person.
He had made it lover-like, and not through the diplomatic channels.
After that the Titian Foreign Office took a hand, and the poor girl's
troubles began.
For six months the matter pended,--and still Dehra held firm. Then
Titia mobilized its army and demanded a decision within two
days:--either the Princess or Murdol. It got a "No" in two hours. The
declaration of war followed straight-way.
Most of these facts were already known to me. Those of latest
happening came to Courtney from the State Department on the eve of
our sailing.
"It looks like a one-battle war," he had observed.
"Add a letter to your sentence and you will be nearer right," I answered.
He laughed. "A none-battle war, you mean."
And so it proved. When we landed it was to find that Germany had
offered to mediate, and that, while the two Kingdoms were thinking it
over, a truce had been declared. Consequently, instead of hurrying
straight to the Valerian army, I journeyed leisurely with Courtney to the
capital. There the first news that met us was that Germany's mediation
had been accepted and that the war was at an end--for the present, at
least.
So, once again, had the Powers, in the interest of European peace,
struck up the swords.
As we drove from the station to the Embassy we observed flags flying
from almost every house, and that the public buildings were lavishly
decorated.

"Peace seems to be well received," I remarked.
"It's the King's birthday," Courtney answered.
"And a very happy one, I fancy."
Courtney stared at me. "How so?" he said.
"He can now both keep his daughter and be rid of Murdol."
"The Princess is saved, of course, but in deference to the national
self-respect, he dare give up Murdol only in one contingency:--if Titia
can be persuaded to pay a money value for it. Which I doubt."
I said nothing. I, too, doubted.
"However, it's not important to us," said he. "Whatever the outcome the
lady will be here long enough for you to lose the wager."
"Damn the wager," I exclaimed.
"Damn everything you have a mind to, my dear fellow," he
encouraged.
"And you in particular," I said.
"Wherefore, my dear Major?" he laughed.
"For suggesting this fool thing."
"Poor boy! I should have regarded your youthful impetuosity."
I shrugged my shoulders.
"And grey hairs," he added.
"I've a mind to toss you out of the carriage," said I.
"Do it,--and save me the trouble of getting myself out," he answered;

and then we drew under the _porte cochère_ at the Embassy.
The matter of a residence had not bothered Courtney. He simply took
General Russell's lease off his hands, and twenty thousand a year rent
with it. I was to live at the Legation, there being no Ambassadorial
women folks to make the staff de trop. Naturally, I was quite satisfied.
It was a bit preferable to hotel hospitality. And, then, the assistants
were good fellows.
Cosgrove, who had been First Secretary for ten years, was from the
estate next my own on the Eastern Shore. It was through him I had
been able to preserve my incog. so securely during my former visits to
Valeria. And if he had any curiosity as to my motives, he was
courteous enough never to show it. "The best assistant in Europe,"
Courtney had once pronounced him.
Then there was Pryor, the Naval Attaché. He had been off "cruising
with the Army," as Cosgrove put it, pending my arrival and was not yet
returned to Dornlitz. The others of the office force were young
fellows,--rich boys, either in presente or futuro,--who, likely, could
only be depended upon to do the wrong thing. Being fit for nothing at
home, therefore, they had been considered to be particularly