Arms and the Woman

"Many persons think that I am a man without compassion," said the

Prince, as we were about to step to our places. "I have an abundance

of it. You have everything to lose, and I have nothing to gain. If it

is your desire, I shall be happy to explain that you wish to withdraw.

But say the word."

He knew what my reply would be. "Withdraw," said I, "and have you

laugh at me and tell your friends that I acted the poltroon? Really,

you do me injustice."

"And do you hate me so very much?" mockery in his eyes.

"Not now. I did hate you, but hatred is a thing we should not waste

any more than love. I have taken the bird and the nest from your

hands; that is more than enough. You are merely an object for scorn

and contempt and indifference now. No; I have no wish to withdraw."

"You read between the lines," he said. "Indeed, I should like nothing

better than to have the privilege of calling you a poltroon and a

coward and to tell your Princess of it." He sauntered back to his

place leisurely.

"Aim the slightest to the left," whispered Pembroke; "the wind will

carry it home."

I pressed his hand. A moment later I stood facing the Prince. I

lifted the pistol and fired. Had the Prince been ten feet to the right

he must have been hit. I threw the smoking pistol aside, let my arms

fall and waited. I could see that Pembroke was biting his lip to hide

his anxiety and disappointment. Slowly the Prince leveled the weapon

at my breast. Naturally I shut my eyes. Perhaps there was a prayer on

my lips. God! how long that wait seemed to me. It became so tedious

that I opened my eyes again. The pistol arm of the Prince appeared to

have frozen in the air.

"It is getting cold," I cried. "Shoot, for God's sake shoot, and end

it!"

In reply the Prince fired into the air, took the pistol by the barrel

and flung it at my feet. The rest of us looked on dumfounded.

"They are all of the same kidney, Count, these Americans," said he.

"They would be dangerous as a nation were it not for their love of

money." Then to me: "Go tell your Princess that I have given your life

to you."

"The devil take you!" I cried. The strain had been terrible.