pe, the Powers were still in the air and watching one another. No battle had been fought; but

Valeria, with its great general and powerful army, was too strong in those days for Titia to do more than protest-and, then, to take its punishment, which,

ubtless, the same with both Kings: The one got an unwilling province;

forgiven its seizure, and Valeria was afflicted with the plague of disaffected subjects on its very border

the match was greatly desired by him and his Ministers. They were becoming very weary of Murdol and the turmoil it maintained on the border, and the great force of troops required there to preserve order. Then, too, Titia had grown vastly in wealth and population since old Henry's time, and, now, was

y 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

had made it lover-like, and not through the diplomatic channels. After that

zed its army and demanded a decision within two days:-either the Princess or M

hose of latest happening came to Courtney from

one-battle war,

ntence and you will be n

none-battle w

a truce had been declared. Consequently, instead of hurrying straight to the Valerian army, I journeyed leisurely with Courtney to the capi

s, in the interest of Europea

served flags flying from almost every house, and

be well receiv

s birthday," Co

y happy on

ed at me. "Ho

ep his daughter and

l self-respect, he dare give up Murdol only in one contingency:-if

hing. I, t

e. "Whatever the outcome the lady will be h

wager," I

ave a mind to, my dear

n particul

y dear Major?

ting this f

have regarded your y

ed my sh

hairs,"

ss you out of the

g myself out," he answered; and then we d

and a year rent with it. I was to live at the Legation, there being no Ambassadorial women folks to make the staff de trop.

him I had been able to preserve my incog. so securely during my former visits to Valeria. And if he had any curiosity as

ornlitz. 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

hen the clatter of hoofs on the driveway drew my attention. It was a tall officer in the green-and-gold of the Royal Guards, and pulling up sharply he tossed his rein to his orderly. I heard th

think of hi

enough of him to

ough to wond

rm tells me he is a

othing

ead a bi

uniform?

odd

ey laughed. "What saith the writing

le to those who

"I await the

. Your visitor was one of His Majesty's Aides-de-Camp b

Courtney's face

ess it?" he sai

," said I, and pointed to this item in

to-day. He is accompanied by Major Dalberg, the Military Attaché. His Majesty has ordered his Aide-de-Camp, Colo

aily paper," he commented. "But, as for you, my friend, button you

" sa

met Her and-seen a certain picture in the Corrid

another yawn. "What if I

oolish to bluff when a show

earns in

y hand needs to blu

ery hand,"

he door. On the t

my laugh, or yours,

gh together,

he we