The Lady and the Pirate

"It is with you, Jean," said I. And Helena, turning, smiled upon him

swiftly, in such fashion that he scarce touched the floor at all as he

walked out for his radishes and olives.

"Isn't it nice?" said Helena. "Isn't it like the old times? I always

loved this old town. It seems so homelike."

"Please do not use that word, Helena," said I. "I wish to be entirely

happy to-night, in the belief that some time I shall know what home

is."

"Do you think Jean knew me also?" she demanded. "Certainly, I have

been here also before."

"No one who has ever seen you, Helena, ever forgets you. But Jean is,

of course, discreet."

"Suppose he knew that I was here to-night against my free will, and

only under parole?"

"Jean is wise; he knows such things ought not to be, even if they are.

And he understood me when I said, 'not yet.'"

"Yes," said she; "quite right. Pas encore!"

Jean returned, and as a special favor to an old patron asked us

politely if we would enjoy a look through the kitchen and the

ice-boxes. As usual, we accepted this invitation, and passed back

through the green swing doors, following our guide along the row of

charcoal fires, through a dingy room decorated with shining coppers

and bits of glass and silver. These ice-boxes were such as to offer

continual delight to any epicure, what with their rows of fat clean

fishes and crabs and oysters, the birds nicely plucked, all the

dainties which this rich market of the South could afford, from

papabotte to terrapin. Helena herself selected two woodcock and

approved the judgment of Jean in canvasback. Presently she turned to

me, a flush of embarrassment upon her face.

"Harry," she said, "I don't like to say anything, but you know--you've

been telling me you were so poor. Now, a girl doesn't want to make it

difficult----"

"Mademoiselle," said I, bowing, "I am quite able to foot the bill

to-night. I had just sold some hay before I started from home."

"Well, I'm awfully hungry," she admitted; "besides, it's such a lark."

"Yes," said I; and presently, as we reached our table again, I showed

her the afternoon papers, which as yet she had not seen. She read

through the account of our escapade, her lips compressed; but

presently she folded the paper and laid it down without comment.

"At any minute, you see," said I, "I may be apprehended and our little

supper brought to an end. That is why I hastened with the order. I do

not wish to hurry you in any way, however, and we shall use the full

three hours. Although, of course, you see that the bird of time indeed

is on the wing to-night, as well as those other birds on the

broilers."