"
But she declined to excuse me; insisting that she had made no choice,
except Lady Helen Radnor, who happened to be staying the night with
her. So, without being churlish, I could decline no longer.
"If your Ladyship will make the list very small, and, then, engage to
give me all your smiles I shall accept with pleasure," I said.
"I will promise both," she said. "Who attends you to-night?"
"My Aide, Colonel Moore."
"Suppose, then, we make it a party of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
Countess de Relde, Mademoiselle d'Essolde and the American Ambassador."
"Charming!" I exclaimed; "charming!"
"And what hour will Your Highness be served?" she asked.
"At whatever hour Madame la Marquise fixes."
"Say, one o'clock, then--in the blue breakfast room; it is quiet and
retired."
I bowed again over her hand and was withdrawing, when the Marquise
stopped me.
"Would not Your Highness like to know some of the Masques?" she asked.
"Very much, indeed," said I.
"Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains,
yonder--and, when you are tired, there is a door, which slides without
noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the Garden.
_Comprenez vous, Monsieur le Prince_?"
I laughed.
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