"May I offer the advice of rather a worldly man?"

"Well?"

"When Steinbock comes bid him go about his business."

The Honorable Betty nodded approvingly, but her Highness shrugged.

"Since you are decided,"--and I bowed. "Now, what time does this

fellow put in his appearance?"

Her Highness beamed upon the Honorable Betty. "I like the way he says

'this fellow'; it reassures me. He is due at nine o'clock; that is to

say, in half an hour. I will give you these directions. I do not wish

Steinbock to know of your presence here. You will hide in the salon,

close to the portières, within call. Moreover, I shall have to impose

upon you the disagreeable duty of playing the listener. Let nothing

escape your ear or your eye. I am not certain of this fellow

Steinbock, though I hold a sword above his head."

"But where are your men?" I asked.

She smiled. "There is no one here but Leopold."

"Your Highness to meet Steinbock alone?"

"I have no fear of him; he knows who I am."

"Everything shall be done as you wish." I secretly hoped I might have

the opportunity to punch Steinbock's head.

"Thank you." The transition of her moods always left me in wonder.

"Play something; it is impossible to talk." She perched herself on the

broad arm of the Honorable Betty's chair, and her arm rested lightly

but affectionately on her shoulder.

It was something for a man to gain the confidence, in so short a time,

of two such women. I felt as brave as Bavard. So I sat down before

the piano and played. My two accomplishments are horseback riding and

music, and I candidly tell you that I am as reckless at one as at the

other. I had a good memory. I played something from Chaminade, as her

fancies are always airy and agreeable and unmelancholy. I was

attacking _The Flatterer_ when her Highness touched my arm.

"Hark!"

We all listened intently. The sound of beating hoofs came distinctly.

A single horseman was galloping along the highway toward the castle.

The sound grew nearer and nearer; presently it ceased. I rose quietly.

"It is time I hid myself, for doubtless this rider is the man."

The princess paled for a moment, while her companion nervously plucked

at the edges of her handkerchief.

"Go," said the former; "and be watchful."

I then took up my position behind the portières. Truly I had stumbled

into an adventure; but how to stumble out again? If the duke got wind

of it, it would mean my recall, and I was of a mind, just then, that I

was going to be particularly fond of Barscheit.




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