Then, with the quiet aside: "It's all explained," he passed me over to
the Princess.
She was talking with Courtney, and turned and met me with a smile.
"Let us shake hands and be friends, cousin," she said.
The graciousness of the gesture, was plain enough to the whole room,
but the words reached only Courtney and me.
"I don't deserve it--cousin," I said; but I took her hand, none the
less.
Then, after a word more, we gave place to those that followed us. But,
as I bowed away, she said low: "The sixth dance, cousin."
And so I knew my peace was made.
I looked for some banter from Courtney, but there was none; only a bit
of a smile under the grey moustache. What he said was:
"Come, let us circle the room and see whom we know."
"We know none, if I'm to do the knowing," I said.
"Queer state of affairs," he reflected; "the true Heir Presumptive, yet
a stranger in the Court."
"Oh! drop that nonsense," I said.
His hand went up to his imperial. "Nonsense? Well, maybe so,--and
there's the pity of it."
I laughed. "My dear fellow," I said, "you are becoming sentimental,
and without even the excuse of a pretty woman in the case."
He faced toward the throne.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54