Arms and the Woman

I looked at the woman in wonder.

"But this is madness!" I cried.

"Directly you will see the method in the madness. Without their

knowing there could be no scandal. They will try to stop us. You will

over-power and bind them. There will also be several other witnesses

who will not be participants. Through them it will become known that I

have eloped with an American. Oh, it is a well-laid plan."

"But, supposing I am overpowered myself, thrown into jail and I know

not what?" All this was more than I had bargained for.

"Nothing of the kind will happen. Monsieur will hold a pistol in each

hand when the carriage door is opened. You will say: 'I am a desperate

man; one of you bind the other, or I fire!' It will be done. You will

spring upon the remaining one and I will help you to bind him likewise.

Oh, you will accomplish it well; you are a strong man; moreover, you

are rapid."

I sat in my chair, speechless. Here was a woman of details. I had

never met one before.

"Well, does monsieur accept the adventure or does he politely decline?"

There was a subtle taunt in her tones. That decided me.

"Your Highness, I should be happy to meet a thousand Uhlans to do you

service. What you ask me to do is quite simple." I knew that I should

lose my head in case of failure. I rose and bowed as unconcernedly as

though she had but asked me to join her with a cup of tea.

"Ah, monsieur, you are a man!" And she laughed softly as she saw me

throw back my shoulders. There was unmistakable admiration in her

eyes. "And yet," with a sudden frown, "there will be danger. You may

slip; you may become injured. Yes, there is danger."

"Your Highness," said I lowly, compelling her eyes to meet mine, "it is

not the danger of the adventure or its results that I most fear." I

was honest enough to make my meaning clear.

She blushed. "I said that I trusted monsieur's honor," was her

rejoinder. "Come," with a return of her imperiousness; "it is time

that we were gone!" She drew on her cloak and dropped the veil. "I

might add," she said, "that we will remain in France one hour. From

there you may go your way, and I shall go secretly to my palace."