Then,
suddenly, she put her hand on my arm.
"Come, Armand," she said; "take me back to the King. We have flirted
enough for one evening."
"We?" I said wonderingly.
She took a rose from her gown--and drew it through my sword belt.
"Yes," she said; and gave me one of those bewildering smiles.
"Wouldn't you call it that? At least, you have taught me to-night all
I know of the game."
"And how about six years ago, cousin?" I said, securing her hand.
She looked down demurely. "Well, maybe I did learn a little that day,"
she admitted.
VII
AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
The second morning after the ball I arose early--in fact, just as the
bugles of the garrison were sounding reveille--and went for a horseback
ride into the country. Though I knew about all the roads in the
vicinity, I confess it never occurred to me to take any but that which
led toward the Summer Palace and the place where I had first met the
Princess.
It may be some will scoff at this, but I venture that by far the
majority will deem it only natural. For myself I may further admit
that I ordered my horse the night before for no other purpose; and I
have no excuse to offer. From all of which it may be inferred that I,
at least, was scarcely likely to be artistic long in a certain
flirtation.
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