"You're very naughty, Armand," she said, shaking her head in mock
reproof.
"Doesn't the other shoe need fastening?" I asked.
"No, sir--and, if it did, I would have the Countess tie it."
"Bother the Countess," I said. (The Countess Giska was the Princess's
chief Lady in Waiting--and she and my aide-de-camp, Moore, were in the
rear of the Box, which, fortunately, was sufficiently deep to put them
out of ear-shot.)
"Or, I might ask Major Moore. I think he would be glad to do it," she
said.
"He would be a most extraordinary Irishman if he were not more than
glad," I said. "But, when I'm around, Dehra, the pleasure is mine
alone."
"Goodness, Armand, you would not be jealous?" she mocked.
"I don't know what it's called," said I, "but that's it."
"Haven't you ever been jealous, dear?" she asked.
"I never cared enough for a girl to be jealous," I said.
"I fancy you've cared for so many you had no time to entertain the
Green-eyed Monster," she said.
I evaded the thrust. "Has he ever visited you?" I asked.
She ignored the question.
"Isn't Lady Helen beautiful to-night?" she said--and smiled a greeting
toward the British Ambassador's Box.
Instantly, Lord Radnor and Courtney arose and bowed low.
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