Opera-singers came and went, but none had ever penetrated into the private suites of the palace.

The halt was made in the courtyard, and all dismounted.
The American thanked the duke gratefully for the use of the horse.
"You are welcome to a mount at all times, Mr.Carmichael," replied the duke pleasantly.

"A man who rides as well as yourself may be trusted anywhere with any kind of a horse." The group looked admiringly at the object of this marked attention.

Here was one who had seen two years of constant and terrible warfare, who had ridden horses under fire, and who bore on his body many honorable scars.
For the great civil strife in America had come to its close but two years before, and Europe was still captive to her amazement at the military prowess of the erstwhile inconsiderable American.
As Carmichael saluted and turned to leave the courtyard, he threw a swift, searching glance at one of the palace windows.

Did the curtain stir?
He could not say.