The Prisoner of Zenda

the Colour

therly at the Embassy, and we had a bit of dinner together at Durand's, and afterwards dropped in to the Opera; and after that we had a little supper, and after that we called on Bertram Bertrand, a versifier of some repute and Paris correspondent to The Critic. He had a very comfortable suite of rooms,

ur own way. I am in lo

better poetry," said I

furiously. George Featherly, standing with

, "you may as well throw it up, B

at," snapp

e stayed," pursued the relentless George. "S

r!" said

for me," I ventured to observe, "if

Mauban," s

n," growl

he question of the `de'. "Y

ou let m

asked, for the lady was

miled cruelly at poor Bertr

at her house the other night-at least, about a mont

d," growle

ccomplished man

ute, ambitious. It was quite possible that she, as George put it, was flying as high as a personage who was everything he could be, short of enjoying strictly royal rank: for the duke was the son of the late King of Ruritania by a second and morganatic marriage, an

Paris now, is

Bert, old man, don't despair! He won't marry the fair Antoinette-at least, not unless another plan comes to nothing. Sti

, I left the hapless Bertram in Ge

ent with me to the station, whe

pictures?" asked G

across the platform. Following him with my eyes, I saw him lift his hat and accost a graceful, fashionably dressed woman who had just appeared from the booking-office. She was, perhaps, a year or two over thirty, tall, dark, and of rather full figure. As George talked, I

ntoinette de Mauban, and, like you, she's going to Dresden-also, no doubt, to see the pictures

introduced," I obser

' Never mind, old fellow, perhaps there'll be a smash, and you'll

n Dresden, I continued my journey, she got into the same train. Understanding that she wished to be let alone, I avoided her carefully, but I saw th

ronation had been suddenly advanced, and the ceremony was to take place on the next day but one. The whole country seemed in a stir about it, and it was evident that Strelsau was thronged. Rooms were all let and hotels overflowing; there would be very little chance of my obtaining a lodging, and I should certainly have to pay an exorbitant charge for it. I made up my mind

place; clearly she was going through to Strelsau, having, with more providence than I could boast, secured apartments there.

d in the great doings at Strelsau. The old lady's hero was the duke, for he was now, under the late King's will, master of the Zenda estates and of the Castle, which rose grandly on

ry Ruritanian knows Duke Michael. But the King is almost a stranger;

omen, "they say he has shaved off his b

" exclaimed her mo

e's keeper. He h

nting-lodge in the forest here; from here he goe

k next day in the direction of the lodge, on the chance o

e thing more) are all he loves, they say-and suffer our duke to be

r!" urged th

hink as I do!" cried t

n my deep armchair, a

, a fair, buxom, smiling wench, "I hate Black Michael! A red Elph

cast a glance at me, and tossed her

fore now," muttered the old lady-and I r

woman!" cri

te," was the stern answer, reducin

to break an embarrassed silence. "

re till Wednesday. The duke is at Stre

hey're

r," said th

again; she was not to be represse

as men do who want the sa

ords pricked my curiosity, and I inter

ife, too! How's t

her, the duke-would give his soul to marry his cousin,

ust take what the elder leaves, and be as thankful to God as he can;" and, thinking of myself, I shrugge

braving her mother's anger; but as she spoke a heavy step soun

k Michael' in his H

hriek, half of fright-ha

ll of me, Joha

chatter leads,"

had spoken c

ed off his cap. A moment later he saw me, and, to my amazement,

der girl. "This is a gentleman on his

he was staring at me with an intens

ing to you

till scrutinizing me, and the merry

He started to see your hair, sir. It's no

mered the fellow, with puzzled e

ll bid you good night, and thanks to you, ladie

oung girl ran to light me on the way, and the man fell back to let me pass, his

do you kno

said I. "I hope to

he door closed behind me. My saucy conductor, looking ov

Master Johann for one

ours, maybe?"

an," she answered, wi

the other side of the candlestic

e yours-it's th

tter of no more moment than that!"-

itchen door be

aid I, an

now, colour is sometimes of