When we reached the hill I drew rein. Down in the valley lay the
Summer Palace and the gates of the Park were but a few hundred yards
below us. I dismounted to say good-bye.
"I am very grateful for your courtesy," she said.
"It is for the stranger to be grateful for your trust," I answered.
She smiled,--that smile was getting into my poor brain--"A woman
usually knows a gentleman," she said.
I bowed.
"And under certain circumstances she likes to know his name," she added.
For a moment I was undecided. Should I tell her and claim my
cousinship? I was sorely tempted. Then I saw what a mistake it would
be,--she would not believe it,--and answered:
"John Smith, Your Royal Highness, and your most obedient servant."
She must have noticed my hesitation, for she studied my face an
instant, then said, with a pause between each word and a peculiar
stress on the name:
"General--Smith?"
"Simple Captain," I answered. "We do not climb so rapidly in our Army."
Just then, from the barracks three miles away, came the boom of the
evening gun.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I am late. I must hasten. Good-bye, _mon
Capitaine_; you have been very kind."
She drew off her gauntlet and extended her hand.
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