Lady Helen laughed. "I am very human, too, I fear."
"Then, why not breakfast with me at the Summer Palace?" said Dehra.
"We shall be delighted," said Lady Helen, without even questioning me
by a glance.
"Your Royal Highness is too gracious," I protested. "I fear I
shall----"
Dehra raised her crop. "There is only one shaft, sir; you shall come
with us."
So I went; even while my better judgment bade me turn bridle and gallop
away. A man is very helpless with one pretty woman; he is utterly at
the mercy of two.
Presently we passed the place where the Princess and I had met six
years before. I glanced across and found her eyes on me. I nodded
toward the spot where I had removed the stone from the mare's hoof, and
she nodded back in answer.
"This is a very charming road," I said.
"It's a favorite with Your Highness, is it not?" asked Lady Helen. "I
have often met you on it."
I affected to be interested in something beside the track.
"Yes, I believe it is," Dehra answered carelessly. "It is soft for the
horse and little travelled and I enjoy the quiet of the forest." Then
she deliberately turned and smiled at me. And Lady Helen saw it.
At the top of the hill above the Palace the way narrowed and I fell
behind; and, dismounting, I affected to be fixing something about the
girth.
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