Arms and the Woman

"Time has a cruel way of moving us around," said I, snapping the clasps

on my gloves, and pulling the fingers and looking everywhere but at

her. I was wondering if I should ever see her again. "When is the

coronation to take place?"

"In June. The King does not wish to hurry me. You see, I must learn

to be a Princess first. It was kind of him. And you will be at

Hohenphalia to witness the event?"

"If nothing happens. We live in a continual uncertainty."

She regarded me somewhat strangely.

"Is there a significance in that last sentence?"

"No," I answered. I felt compelled to add something. "But here come

some of your new admirers. Their glittering medals will make me feel

out of place if I remain. I shall do my best to accept your

invitation."

"Jack, you are hiding something from me. Are you going to leave the

city to search for her?"

"No," said I. "The truth is," with a miserable attempt to smile, "I

have an engagement to-morrow morning, and it is impossible to tell how

long it will last. Good night."

Fate played loose with me that night. As I was turning down the

corridor I ran into the Prince. He was accompanied by Von Walden and

an attache whom I knew.

"Good evening," said the Prince. "Do you not prefer the French opera,

after all?"

"All good music is the same to me," I answered, calmly returning his

amused look with a contemptuous one. "Wagner, Verdi, Gounod, or Bizet,

it matters not."

The attache passed some cigarettes. Only the Prince refused.

"No thanks. I am not that kind of a villain." He laughed as he

uttered these words, and looked at me.

I would have given much to possess that man's coolness.

"Till we meet again," he said, as I continued on. "Shall I add

pleasant dreams?"

"I am obliged to you," I answered over my shoulder, "but I never have

them. I sleep too soundly."

"Cousin," said I, later, "what was that opera?"

"I forgot to bring along a program," said Pembroke.