"She would call the
bluff instantly--and do it so well the witnesses, themselves, would be
deceived and turned against me."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Lotzen seems to be uncommonly lucky in his
leading woman," he observed.
"The Devil usually helps his own," said I.
Then, I hastened to the Palace.
XVI
THE PRINCESS ROYAL SITS AS JUDGE
Dehra was alone in her library, and she came forward with both hands
extended.
"It has been a long day, Armand," she said.
I took her hands and kissed first one and then the other.
"Yes, dear one, it has been a long day," I said.
I led her to a chair and stood before her. She held up her hands and
regarded them critically. Then she looked up at me with quizzical eyes.
"You like my hands?" she asked.
"Yes, dear."
"Better than my lips?"
"No, dear."
"Well, one might think so. But, if you don't, then sir, I'm waiting."
Her peremptoriness was very sweet.
I had gone there determined to take no lover's privileges until the
cloud I was under had been removed. But, what would you! I was not
stone, nor ice--and, no more was the Princess.
"You are a very imperious little sweetheart," I said, and kissed her;
and whether once or twice or oftener does not matter.
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