Arms and the Woman

As we were leaving the foyer, Phyllis said: "Jack, a man has been

staring me out of countenance."

"Pembroke?" I laughed.

"No. And moreover, the stare was accompanied by the most irritating

sneer."

"Point him out to me when we reach the street," I said, humoring what I

thought to be a fancy, "and I'll put a head on him."

The sneer was probably meant for an ogle. Beauty has its annoyances as

well as its compensations. As we came under the glare of the outside

lights, Phyllis's hand tightened on my arm.

"Look! there he is, and he is making for us."

At the sight of that face with its hooked nose, its waxed mustache and

imperial, I took a deep breath and held it. In the quick glance I saw

that his right arm hung stiffly at his side. I attempted to slip into

the crowd, but without success. He lifted his hat, smiling into the

astonished face of Phyllis.

"The Princess Hildegarde--" But with those three words the sentence on

his lips came to an end. Amazement replaced the smile. He stepped

back. Phyllis's eyes expressed scornful surprise. What she understood

to be rudeness I knew to be a mistake. He had mistaken her to be

Gretchen, just as I had mistaken Gretchen to be Phyllis. It was a

situation which I enjoyed. All this was but momentary. We passed on.

"Was the man crazy?" asked Phyllis, as we moved toward the carriages,

where we saw Pembroke waving his hand.

"Not exactly crazy," I answered.

"The Princess Hildegarde; did he not call me that?"

"He did."

"He must have mistaken me for some one else, then."

"The very thing," said I. "I wonder what he is doing here in London?"

"Mercy! do you know him?"

"Slightly." We were almost at the carriage. "I am sorry to say that

he is a great personage in this very court which you are so soon to

grace."

"How strange! I'm afraid we shan't get on."

Pembroke and I dismissed our carriage. We were going back to the club.

Ethel and her husband were already seated in their carriage.

Said Phyllis as I assisted her to enter; "And who is this Princess

Hildegarde?"

"The most beautiful woman in all the world," I answered with

enthusiasm. "You will meet her also."

"I do not believe I shall like her either," said Phyllis. "Good

night;" and the door swung to.