Arms and the Woman

ideboard and emptied

ir he remained in a re

sumed his

oked up into my

orry I have caused him. This way is the only method by which I may convince him how detestable this engagement is to me. Yet, my freedom is more to me than my principality. Let the King bestow it upon whom he will. I shall become a teacher of languages, or something of that sort. I shall be free and h

asked. "Can it not be acc

I am something of an idol to them. The King appreciates my rule. It gives him a knowledge that there will be no internal troubles in Hohenphalia so long as matter

t is not for myself that I care. It will be a jolly adventure for me; and

would do no such thing. But let me explain to you. At the station

claimed; "do

usly, the note to be placed in their h

t the woma

is madness

ry to stop us. You will over-power and bind them. There will also be several other witnesses who will not be p

thrown into jail and I know not what?" Al

: 'I am a desperate man; one of you bind the other, or I fire!' It will be done. You will spring upon the remaining one a

. Here was a woman of details

cept the adventure or d

taunt in her tone

sk me to do is quite simple." I knew that I should lose my head in case of failure. I ros

ulders. There was unmistakable admiration in her eyes. "And yet," with a sudden frown

ne, "it is not the danger of the adventure or its results tha

usness; "it is time that we were gone!" She drew on her cloak and dropped the veil. "I might add," she said, "

l away like the las

the driver, who h

all I say

l give the driver the

my place in the carriage, "how I am to beco

y desire to bring to the dinner a person who, though without rank, was a gentleman-one who would grace any gathering, kingly or otherwise. My word was sufficient. I kn

selves to me as on we rode! Once across the frontier I should be free to confess my love for her. A Princess? What of that? She would be only a woman-the woman I loved. I trembled. Something might happen so that she would have to turn to me. If the King refused to forgive her, she was mine! A

e a care," she said, icily.

y and stepped out. Th

Hillars; you are

the vehicle sped awa

ewildered. Her last words w

his Chancellor gives to men who sometimes do his country service, he spoke to me and inquired how I had obtained it. It was an affair similar to the Balkistan; only there was not an army, but a mob. The Princess w

ld: "My toast is not to the King, but to the gentleman!" I had both

e the hospitality of the King. But what is a King to a man in love? Presently we two were alone in the

late to back

thousand kings r

t foolish blunder of my life. My love suddenly overleapt its bounds. In a moment my arms were around her lithe body; my lips met hers squarely. After it was done she stoo

ot! It is because I love you better than anything in the world-you c

her eyes flashed lik

ou have dared to take advantage of what seemed my helplessness. It is well indeed for you that you committed this outrage before it is too late. I should have

you; is there nothing in that? I am but human. I am not a stone image. And you have t

. I believe your minute is n

bout the anonymous note. Two officers were approaching us, and rapidly. The elder of the two came straight to me

roken English; "I believe yo

e might have been of stone, f

y is a poor one,

difference to personal safety was due t

river appeared confused. It was not his fare, according to the agreement. "To the city,"

ntly," I answe

nderstand neither the

are

ted. I was coming about, and

e also," was t

r own way

that medal?" poin

tly,"

all the same." He made a move to

le; and I might throw you out of the window.

" asserted the Count, rubbing his wrist,

ke it into my head

better

you a

he death of a miserable adventurer, but it might possibly ref

ou want?"

proper so that you will have no dif

as well to wake the Americ

bility of that. But I should explain to him, and he would

el

at once, sir; that is, if you p

it is real

reover, you must never enter this country again. I

order. I permitted him to rumm

ler, too!" coming acr

ral," said I. I submitt

the station, where he saw t

ed the carriage compartment. "The d

ee him!" I called back, not to be

very day. She did not love me, I know, but she would have been near me. And if the King had taken away her principality, she would have needed me in a thousand ways. And it is not less than possible that in time she might

oth," said I. "Has the

in hopes of getting into trouble. I may never see her again, perhaps

gue smarted. I had troubles of my own, and wondered how they would end. Poor Hillars! As I look back to-day, I marvel that we co