I know at least a dozen who
are officers."
"John Smith is his name. He was a Captain, six years ago."
I appeared to think a moment. "I know two such--one in the Cavalry,
the other in the Engineers."
"Describe them, please."
I showed surprise. "Does Your Royal Highness----?"
She cut in. "That is just what she is trying to find out."
"Yes?"
"Whether either of them is the Captain Smith I have in mind."
"Both would be much honored."
"I am not so sure as to the one I mean. He was a very conceited
fellow."
I gritted back a smile. "It must have been the Engineer," I said.
"He's a good deal of a prig."
She bent over the roses. "Oh, I wouldn't call him just that."
"It's no more than I've heard him call himself," I said.
"You must know him rather intimately."
"On the contrary, I know him very slightly, though I've been thrown
with him considerably."
"Are you not friendly?" she asked.
"We have had differences."
Again the roses did duty. "I fear you are prejudiced," she said, and I
thought I caught a smothered laugh.
"Not at all," I insisted. "I am disposed in his favor."
"So I should judge."
I could not decide which way she meant it.
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