"
She, too, raised her mask and looked me frankly in the eyes.
"I promise," she said.
And I am sure she will keep her word.
I knew I could leave it to Courtney and Moore to insure the silence of
Lady Helen and Mademoiselle d'Essolde.
We lingered at the table until far into the morning. And, if Moore had
any fault to find with his neighbor in blue, he was, indeed, a
graceless grumbler.
Lady Helen was on one side of me, and we recalled the ride we had
together the morning shortly after the Birthday Ball, when we met the
Princess at the Old Forge.
"We never took that other ride we planned," I said--"the one to the Inn
of the Twisted Pines."
"You have never asked me," she said dryly.
"Suppose we make it to-morrow at three," I suggested.
"I ride with Mr. Courtney, then."
"We will make a party of it," said I. "The Princess returns this
morning and we will add Mademoiselle d'Essolde and Colonel Moore."
"But, the chaperon!"
"Hang the chaperon--the grooms can suffice for that. Besides, we shall
be back before dark."
"It will be jolly," she said. Then she gave me a shrewd smile. "But,
how different from the ride as we planned it."
I looked at Courtney.
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