XIV
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
To those who have never been to Dornlitz I may say that the Hanging
Garden is the name for the great balcony of the Hotel Metzen. It
suggests--very faintly--the Terrace at Westminster; though, of course,
it is far more beautiful, with the dancing waters of Lake Lorg instead
of the dirty, sluggish Thames. It is the peculiarly fashionable
restaurant, and is always thronged in the evening with the aristocracy
of the Kingdom. To-night, the extreme end of the balcony had been
reserved for me, and a very slight bank of plants was arranged to
separate us from the general crowd.
Just before the final curtain, His Highness of Lotzen had strolled into
the Royal Box. To my surprise he congratulated me very heartily upon
my appointment as Governor of Dornlitz; and, perforce, I invited him to
join us at supper.
He hesitated a moment, and I urged him to come. In fact, I felt a bit
sorry for him. He had just lost the Princess and, with her, likely,
his chance at the Throne, as well. And I had won the one and, very
possibly, the other, also. I could afford to be generous. After
to-night, however,--when he had learned of these facts--it would be for
him to indicate as to our future attitude.
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