I
I couldnot imagine why the princess desired to see me. It would have been much more natural to punish the impertinence of which I had no doubt been guilty—I mean, of which it was agreed on all hands that I had been guilty—by merely declining to receive me or see me again. Even the desire for a written apology would have been treating me as of too much account. But she wanted to see me. What I had heard of the princess’ character utterly forbade any idea which ought not to have been, but would have been,pleasant to entertain. No; she clearly wanted me, but what for I could not imagine.
When I went to claim my audience, the prince was not visible, nor Dumergue either, and I was at once received by the princess alone. She was looking smaller, and more simple and helpless than ever. I also thought her looking prettier, and I enjoyed immensely the pious, severe, forgiving little rebuke which she administered to me. I humbly craved pardon, and had no difficulty in obtaining it. Indeed, she became very gracious.
“You must come to Glottenberg,” she said, “in a few months’ time.”
“To obey Your Royal Highness’ commands will be a delightful duty,” said I, bowing.
She rose and stood by the fire,“toying” (as the novelists say) with her fan.
“You seem to be an obliging man, Mr. Jason,” she said. “You were ready to oblige Mme. Vooght.”
I made a gesture of half-serious protest.
“I wonder,” she continued, “if you would do me a little service.”
“I shall be most honored if I may hope to be able to,” said I. What did she want?
She blushed slightly, and, with a nervous laugh, said:
“It’s only a short story. When I was a young girl, I was foolish enough, Mr. Jason, to fall in love, or at least to think I did. There was a young Englishattaché—I know I can rely on your perfect discretion—at my father’s court, and he—he forgot the difference between us. He was a man ofrank, though. Well, I was foolish enough to accept from him a very valuable ring—a fine ruby—quite a family heirloom. Of course, I never wore it, but I took it. And when I married, I——”
She paused.
“Your Royal Highness had no opportunity of returning it?”
“Exactly. He had left the court. I didn’t know where he was, and—and the post was not quite trustworthy.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“I saw in the papers the other day that he was married. Of course I can’t keep it. His wife ought to have it—and I dare not—I would prefer not to—send it.”
“I see. You would wish me——”
“To be my messenger. Will you?”
Of course I assented. She went into an adjoining room, and returned with a little morocco case. Opening it, she showed me a magnificent ruby, set in an old gold ring of great beauty.
“Will you give it him?” she said.
“Your Royal Highness has not told me his name?”
“Lord Daynesborough. You will be able to find him?”
“Oh, yes!”
“And you will—youwillbe careful, Mr. Jason?”
“He shall have it safely in three days. Any message with it, madame?”
“No. Yes—just my best wishes for his happiness.”
I bowed and prepared to withdraw.
“And you must come and tell me——”
“I will come and make my report.”
“I do not know how to thank you.”
I kissed her hand and bowed myself out, mightily amused, and, maybe, rather touched at the revelation of this youthful romance. Somehow such things are always touching, stupid as they are for the most part. It pleased me to find that the little princess was flesh and blood.
She followed me to the door, and whispered, as I opened it:
“I have not troubled the prince with the matter.”
“Wives are so considerate,” thought I, as I went downstairs.
On arriving in England, I made inquiries about Lord Daynesborough. I found that it was seven years since he had abruptly thrown up his post ofattaché, withoutcause assigned. After this event, he lived in retirement for some time, and then returned into society. Three months ago he had married Miss Dorothy Codrington, a noted beauty, with whom he appeared much in love, and had just returned from his wedding tour and settled down for the season at his house in Curzon Street. Hearing all this, I thought the little princess might have let well alone, and kept her ring; but her conduct was no business of mine, and I set about fulfilling my commission. I needed no one to tell me that Lady Daynesborough had better, as the princess would have phrased it, not be troubled with the matter.
I had no difficulty in meeting the young lord. In spite of the times we live in, a Jason is still a welcome guest in most houses, andbefore long he and I were sitting side by side at Mrs. Closmadene’s table. The ladies had withdrawn, and we were about to follow them upstairs. Daynesborough was a frank, pleasant fellow, and scorned the affectation of concealing his happiness in the married state. In fact, he seemed to take a fancy to me, and told me that he would like me to come and see him at home.
“Then,” he said, “you will cease to distrust marriage.”
“I shall be most glad to come,” I answered, “more especially as I want a talk with you.”
“Do you? About what?”
“I have a message for you.”
“You have a message for me, Mr. Jason? Forgive me, but from whom?”
I leaned over toward him, and whispered, “The Princess Ferdinand of Glottenberg.”
The man turned as white as a sheet, and, gripping my hand, said under his breath:
“Hush! Surely you—you haven’t—she hasn’t sent it?”
“Yes, she has,” said I.
“Good God! After seven years!”
General Closmadene rose from his chair. Daynesborough drank off a very large “white-wash,” and added:
“Come to dinner to-morrow—eight o’clock. We shall be alone; and, for Heaven’s sake, say nothing.”
I said nothing, and I went to dinner, carrying the ruby ring in my breast-pocket. But I began to wonder whether the little princess was quite as childlike as she seemed.
Lady Daynesborough dined with us. She was a tall, slender girl;very handsome, and, to judge from her appearance, not wanting in resolution and character. She was obviously devoted to her husband, and he treated her with an affectionate deference that seemed to me almost overdone. It was like the manner of a man who is remorseful for having wounded someone he loves.
When she left us, he returned to the table, and, with a weary sigh, said:
“Now, Mr. Jason, I am ready.”
“My task is a very short one,” said I. “I have no message except to convey to you the princess’ best wishes for your happiness on your marriage, of which she has recently heard, and to give you the ring. Here it is.”
“Have women no mercy?” groaned he.
“I beg your pardon?” said I, rather startled.
“She waits seven years—seven years without a word or a sign—and then sends it! And why?”
“Because you’re married.”
“Exactly. Isn’t it—devilish?”
“Not at all. It’s strictly correct. She said herself that your wife was the proper person to have the ring now.”
He looked at me with a bitter smile.
“My dear Jason,” he said, “I have been flattering your acumen at the expense of your morality. I thought you knew what this meant.”
“No more than what the princess told me.”
“No, of course not, or you would not have brought it. When we parted, I gave her the ring, and she made me promise, on myhonor as a gentleman, to come to her the moment she sent the ring—to leave everything and come to her, and take her away. And I promised.”
“And she has never sent till now?”
“I never married till now,” he said bitterly. “What’s the matter with her?”
“Nothing that I know of.”
He rose, went to a writing table, and came back with a fat paper book—a Continental Bradshaw.
“You’re not going?” I exclaimed.
“Oh, yes! I promised.”
“You promised something to your wife too, didn’t you?”
“I can’t argue it. I must go and see what she wants. I—I hope she’ll let me come back.”
I tried to dissuade him. I know I told him he was a fool; I think Itold him he was a scoundrel. I was not sure of the second, but I thought it wisest to pretend that I was.
“I hope it will be all right,” he said, again and again; “but, right or wrong, I must go.”
I took an immediate resolution.
“I suppose you’ll go by the eleven-o’clock train to Paris to-morrow?”
“Yes,” he said.
“Well, you’re wrong. Good-night.”
At twelve o’clock the next day I called in Curzon Street, and sent in my card to Lady Daynesborough.
She saw me at once. I expect that she fancied I had something to do with her husband’s sudden departure. She was looking pale and dispirited, and I rather thought she had been crying. Her husband,it appeared, had told her that he had to go to Paris on business, and would be back in three days.
“He didn’t tell you what it was?”
“No. Some public affairs, I understood.”
“Lady Daynesborough,” said I, “you hardly know me, but my name tells you I am a gentleman.”
She looked at me in surprise.
“Why, of course, Mr. Jason. But what has that to do——”
“I can’t explain. But, if you are wise, you will come with me to Paris.”
“Go with you to Paris! Oh! is he in danger?”
“In danger of making a fool of himself. Now, I’ll say nothing more. Will you come?”
“It will look very strange.”
“Very.”
“In fact—most unusual.”
“Most.”
“Won’t there be a—a—scandal, if——”
“Sure to be. Will you come?”
“You must have a reason,” she said. “I will come.”
We started that evening, nine hours after My Lord, going separately to the station, and meeting on the boat. All through the journey she scarcely spoke a word. When we were nearing Paris, she asked:
“Do you know where he is?”
“No; but I can trace him,” I replied.
So I could. I bought a paper, and found that Prince and Princess Ferdinand had, the day before, proceeded from Parisen routefor Glottenberg. Of course Daynesborough had followed them.
“We must go on,” I said.
“Why?”
“Because your husband has gone on.”
She obeyed me like a lamb; but there was a look about her pretty mouth that made me doubt if Daynesborough would find her like a lamb.
We went to the principal hotel in Glottenberg. I introduced Lady Daynesborough as my sister, Miss Jacynth Jason, and stated that she was in weak health, and would keep her room for the present. Then I sallied forth, intent on discovering Dumergue; he would be able to post me up in the state of affairs.
On my way, I met the king taking his daily drive. He was a dour, sour-looking, pasty-faced creature, and I quite understood that he would fail to appreciate many of my prince’s characteristics.A priest sat by him, and a bystander told me it was the king’s confessor (the Glottenberg family are all of the old church), and added that the king’s confessor was no mean power in the state. I asked him where M. Dumergue was lodged, and he directed me to Prince Ferdinand’s palace, which stood in a pleasant park in the suburbs of the town.
I found Dumergue in a melancholy condition, though he professed to be much cheered by the sight of me.
“My dear fellow,” he said, “you, if anybody, can get us out of this.”
“I never knew such people,” said I. “What’s up now?”
“There has been a—an explosion. Did you ever hear of Daynesborough?”
I said no, and Dumergue toldme of the princess’ formerpenchantfor him.
“Well?” said I.
“Well, she’s invited him here, and he’s now in the palace. You may imagine the prince’s feelings.”
“I suppose the prince can turn him out?”
Dumergue shook his head dolefully.
“She holds the trumps,” he answered. “Jason, she’s a clever woman. We thought we had hoodwinked her. When Daynesborough turned up, looking, I’m bound to say, very sheepish, the prince was really quite annoyed. He told the princess that she must send him away. She refused flatly. ‘Then I shall consult my brother,’ says the prince. ‘I shall consult the king too,’ said the princess. ‘It’s indecent,’ said he. ‘It’s not as bad as taking myladies to masked balls in disguise,’ she answered. ‘Oh, you think you imposed on me—you and that clumsy young animal (forgive me, my dear fellow), Jason. I am not an idiot. I knew all the time. And now the king will know too—unless Lord Daynesborough stays just as long as I like.’”
“Confound her!” said I.
“There it is,” he went on. “The prince is furious, the princess triumphant, and Daynesborough in possession.”
“What does he mean to do?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Who can tell? She’s a little devil. Fancy pretending to be deceived, and then turning on us like this! You should have heard her describe you, my boy!” and Dumergue chuckled in sad pleasure.
I object to being ridiculed, especially by women. I determined to take a hand in the game. I wondered if they knew that Daynesborough was married.
“I suppose this young Daynesborough enjoys himself?”
“Well, he ought to. He’s got nothing to lose; but he seems a melancholy, glum creature. I think he must be one of the king’s kidney.”
“Or married, perhaps?” I suggested airily.
“Oh, no! She wouldn’t have him here, if he were married.”
I saw that Dumergue did not yet appreciate the princess in whose household he had the honor to serve.
“She won’t compromise herself, I suppose?”
“Not she!” he replied regretfully.“She may compromise the prince.”
I rebuked him for his cynicism, and promised to consider and let him know if anything occurred to me. My hope lay in Daynesborough. I could see that he wasgalant malgré lui, and I thought I could persuade him that he had done all that his mistaken promise fairly entailed on him; or, if I could not convince him, I had a suspicion that his wife might, could, and would, in a very peremptory fashion, if I brought about an encounter between them. I was full of eagerness, for, apart from my zeal in the cause of morality and domestic happiness, I did not approve of being called a clumsy young animal. It was neither true nor witty; and surely abuse ought to be one or the other, if itis to be distinguished from mere vulgar scurrility.
I have been told, by those who know the place, that Glottenberg is not, as a rule, a very exciting residence. But for the next four-and-twenty hours I, at least, had no reason to grumble at a lack of incidents.
The play began, if I may so express myself, by the princess sending for the doctor. The doctor, having heard from the princess what she wanted to do, told her what she ought to do; of course I speak from conjecture. He prescribed a visit to her country villa for a week or two, plenty of fresh air, complete repose, and freedom from worry. Dumergue told me that the princess considered that the terms of this prescription entailed a temporary separation from her husband,and that the prince had agreed to remain in Glottenberg. The princess started for her villa at twelve o’clock on Wednesday morning. The distance was but fifteen miles, and she traveled by road in her own carriage, although the main line of railway from Glottenberg to Paris passed within two miles of her destination.
At one o’clock Lord Daynesborough was received by Prince Ferdinand, having requested an interview for the purpose of taking his leave, as he left for Paris by the five o’clock train. Everybody knew that the prince and Daynesborough were not on cordial terms; but this fact hardly explained Daynesborough’s extreme embarrassment and obvious discomfort during the brief conversation. Dumergue escorted him from the prince’s presence,and said that he was shaking like an aspen-leaf or an ill-made blanc-mange.
At three o’clock I went to the hotel, and had an interview with Lady Daynesborough. I then returned to the palace, and made a communication to the prince. The prince was distinctly perturbed.
“I never thought she would go so far,” he said. “It’s not that she cares twopence about Daynesborough.”
“To what, then, sir, do you attribute——”
“Temper! all temper, Mr. Jason! She is angry about that wretched ball, and she wants to anger me.”
“Her Royal Highness is, however, giving a handle to her enemies,” I ventured to suggest.
“She must come back to-night,” said he. “I won’t be made to look like a fool.”
“My plan will, I hope, dispose of Lord Daynesborough. If so, Your Royal Highness might join the princess.”
“I shan’t do anything of the sort. I shall have her brought back.”
Apparently there was a reserve of resolution latent somewhere in this indolent gentleman.
“Will you go yourself, sir?”
“No. You must do it.”
“I, sir? Surely, M. Dumergue——”
“Dumergue’s afraid of her. Will you bring her back?”
“Supposing she won’t come?”
“I didn’t request you to ask her to come. I requested you to bring her.”
I looked at him inquiringly.He inhaled a mouthful of smoke, and added, with a nod:
“Yes, if necessary.”
“Will Your Royal Highness hold me harmless from the king—or the law.”
“No. I can’t. Will you do it?”
“With pleasure, sir.”
At ten minutes to five, Lady Daynesborough, heavily veiled, and I drove up to the station in a hired cab, and hid ourselves in the third-class waiting room. At five minutes to five, Lord Daynesborough arrived. He wore a scarf up to his nose, and a cap down to his eyes, and walked to the station, unattended and without luggage. He got into a second-class smoking carriage—one of the long compartments divided into separate boxes by intervening partitions reaching within a yard ofthe roof, a gang-way running down the middle. On seeing him enter, I caught the guard, gave him twenty marks, and told him to admit no one except myself and my companion into that carriage. Then I hauled Lady Daynesborough in, and we sat down at the opposite end to that occupied by her husband.
The train started. It was only five-and-twenty minutes’ run to the station for the princess’ villa. There was no time to lose.
“Are you ready?” I whispered.
“Yes,” she answered, her voice trembling a little.
We rose, walked along, and sat down opposite to Lord Daynesborough. He was looking out of the window, although it was dark, and did not turn.
“Lord Daynesborough,” said I, “you have forgotten your ticket.”And I held out a through ticket to Paris.
He started as if he had been shot.
“Who the devil——” he began. “Jason!”
“Yes,” said I. “Here’s your ticket.”
“I thought you were in England,” he gasped.
“No, I am here.”
“Spying on my actions?”
“Acquainted with them.”
“I’ll have no interference, sir. If you know me, you will kindly be silent, and leave me to myself.”
Time was passing.
“You are going to Paris with this lady,” said I.
“You’re insolent, sir—you and your——”
“Don’t say what you’ll regret. She’s your wife.”
Well, of course he was verymuch in the wrong, and looked uncommonly ridiculous to boot. Still, the way he collapsed was rather craven. I withdrew for five minutes. Then I returned, and held out the ticket again. He took it.
“If you will leave us for five minutes, Lady Daynesborough?”
She went into the next box. Then I said:
“Now, we’ve only ten minutes. We’re going to change clothes. Be quick.”
I took off my coat.
“By God, I’ll not stand this!”
And he rose.
In a moment I had him by the collar, and was presenting a pistol at his head.
“No nonsense!” I whispered. “Off with them!”
He might have known I would not shoot him in his wife’s presence;but I could and would have undressed him with my own hands. Perhaps he guessed this.
“Let me go,” he muttered.
I released him, and he took off his coat.
The train began to slacken speed. I called to Lady Daynesborough, who rejoined us.
“You have fulfilled your promise,” said I to the young man. “And,” I added, turning to her, “I have fulfilled mine. Good-night!”
I opened the door, and jumped out as we entered the station. I stood waiting till the train started again, but Lord Daynesborough remained in his place. I wonder what passed on that journey. She was a plucky girl, and I can only trust she gave him what he deserved. At any rate, he never, so far as I heard, ran away again.
I asked my way to the villa, and reached it after half an hour’s walking. I did not go in by the lodge gates, but climbed the palings, and reached the door by way of the shrubberies. I knocked softly. A man opened the door instantly. He must have been waiting.
“Is it Milord?” he said in French.
“Yes,” I answered, entering rapidly.
“You are expected, Milord.”
I did not know his voice, and it was dark in the passage.
“I am wet,” I said. “Take me to a fire.”
“There is one in the pantry,” he answered, leading the way.
We reached the pantry, and he turned to light the gas.
Looking at me in the full blaze,he started back, then scrutinized me closely, then exclaimed:
“What? You are not——”
“Oh, yes, I am! I am Lord Daynesborough.”
“It’s a lie. You are a robber—a——”
“I am Lord Daynesborough—Lord Daynesborough—Lord Daynesborough.”
At each repetition I advanced a step nearer; at the last I produced my trusty pistol, at the same time holding out a bank-note in the other hand.
He took the note.
“You will stay here,” I said, “for the next two hours. You will not come out, whatever happens. Is there anyone else in the house?”
“One maid, Milord, and a man in the stables.”
“Where is the maid?”
“In the kitchen.”
“Is the man within hearing?”
“No.”
“Good! Is the princess upstairs?”
“She is, Milord.”
I made him direct me to the room, and left him. I thought I would neglect the maid, and go straight to work. I went up to the door to which I had been directed, and knocked.
“Come in!” said the gentle, childlike voice.
I went in. The princess was lying on a sofa by the fire, reading a paper-covered book. She turned her head with a careless glance.
“Ah, you have come! Well, I almost hoped you would be afraid. I really don’t want you.”
This reception would probably have annoyed Lord Daynesborough.
“Why should I be afraid?” I asked, mimicking Daynesborough’s voice as well as I could.
Meanwhile I quietly locked the door.
“Why, because of your wife. I know you tremble before her.”
I advanced to the sofa.
“I have no wife,” I said; “and, seeing what I do, I thank God for it.”
She leaped up with a scream, loud and shrill.
A door opposite me opened, and a girl rushing in, crying:
“Madame!”
“Go back!” I said. “Go back!”
She paused, looking bewildered. I walked quickly up to her.
“Go back and keep quiet;” and, taking her by the shoulders, I pushed her back into the next room.
The princess rushed to the other door, and, on finding it locked, screamed again.
“Nobody,” I remarked, “should embark on these things who has not good nerves.”
She recognized me now. Her fright had been purely physical—I suppose she thought I was a burglar. When she knew me, she came forward in a dignified way, sat down on the sofa, and said:
“Explain your conduct, sir, if you are in a condition to do so.”
“I am sober, madame,” said I; “and I have two messages for you.”
“You present yourself in a strange way. Pray be brief,” and she glanced anxiously at the clock.
“Time does not press, madame,” said I. “Nobody will come.”
“Nobody will—— What do you mean? I expect nobody.”
“Precisely, madame—and nobody will come.”
Her ivory fan broke between her fingers with a sharp click.
“What do you want?” she said.
“To deliver my messages.”
“Well?”
“First, Lord Daynesborough offers his apologies for being compelled to leave for Paris without tendering his farewell.”
She turned very red, and then very white. But she restrained herself.
“And the other?”
“His Royal Highness requests that you will avail yourself of my escort for an immediate return to Glottenberg.”
“And his reasons?”
“Oh, madame, as if I should inquire them!”
“You are merely insolent, sir. I shall not go to-night.”
“His Royal Highness was very urgent.”
She looked at me for a moment.
“Why had Lord Daynesborough to leave so suddenly?” she asked suspiciously.
“His wife wished it.”
“Did she know where he was?”
“Apparently. She followed him to Glottenberg. She arrived there yesterday.”
“Now I see—now I understand! I had to deal with a traitor.”
“You must bestow trust, if you desire not to be deceived, madame. You dared to use me as a go-between.”
“You had had practice in the trade.”
The princess had a turn for repartee. I could not have sether right without quite an argument. I evaded the point.
“And yet Your Royal Highness thought me a clumsy animal!”
“Oh,” she said, with a slight laugh, “it’s woundedamour propre, is it? Come, Mr. Jason, I apologize. You are all that is brilliant and delightful—and English.”
“Your Royal Highness is too good.”
“And now, Mr. Jason, your device being accomplished, I suppose I may bid you good-night?”
“I regret, madame, that I must press the prince’s request on your notice.”
She sighed her usual impatient, petulant little sigh.
“Oh, you are tiresome! Pray go!”
“I cannot go without you, madame.”
“I am not going—and my establishment does not admit of my entertaining gentlemen,” she said, with smiling effrontery.
“Your Royal Highness refuses to allow me to attend you to Glottenberg?”
“I order you to leave this room.”
“Finally refuses?”
“Go.”
“Then I must add that I am commissioned, if necessary, to convey your Royal Highness to Glottenberg.”
“To convey me?”
I bowed.
“You dare to threaten me?”
“I follow my instructions. Will you come, madame, or——”
“Well?”
“Will you be taken?”
I was not surprised at her vexation. Dumergue had, in hishaste, called her “a little devil.” She looked it then.
“You mean,” she asked slowly, “that you will use force?”
I bowed.
“Then I yield,” she said, after a pause.
I called the maid, and told her to order the carriage in five minutes. The silence was unbroken till it came round. The princess went into her room, and returned in cloak and hat, carrying a large muff. She was smiling.
“Ah, Mr. Jason, what can a woman do, against men? I am ready. We will go alone. The servants can follow.”
I handed her into the coach, ordering the coachman to drive fast. He was the only man with us, and we were alone inside.
I began, perhaps stupidly, toapologize for my peremptory conduct. The princess smiled amiably.
“I like a man of resolution,” she said, edging, I thought, a trifle nearer me, her hands nestling in her muff.
Apparently she was going to try the effect of amiability. I was prepared for this. She would not tempt me in that way.
“Your Royal Highness is most forgiving.”
“Oh, that is my way,” she answered, with the kindest possible glance, and she came nearer still.
“You are a most generous foe.”
She turned to me with a dazzling smile.
“Don’t sayfoe,” she said, with a pretty lingering on the last word. And as she said it, I felt a knife driven hard into my ribs,and the muff dropped to the ground.
“God in heaven!” I cried.
The princess flung herself into the corner of the carriage.
“Ha—ha—ha! Ha—ha—ha!” she laughed, merrily, musically, fiendishly.
I tried to clutch her; I believe I should have killed her, I was half mad. But the blood was oozing fast from the wound—only the knife itself held my life in. Things danced before my eyes, and my hands fell on my lap.
The carriage stopped, the door opened, and the coachman appeared. It was all like a dream to me.
“Take his feet,” said the princess. The man obeyed, and between them they lifted, or, rather, hauled and pushed, me out of thecarriage, and laid me by the roadside. I was almost in a faint, and the last thing I was conscious of was a pretty, mocking mouth, which said:
“Won’t you escort me, Mr. Jason?”—and then added to the coachman, “To Glottenberg—quick!”
I did not die. I was picked up by some good folk, and well tended. Dumergue arrived and looked after me, and in a couple of weeks I was on my legs.
“Now for Glottenberg!” said I.
Dumergue shook his head.
“You won’t be admitted to the town.”
“Not admitted!”
“No. They have made it up—for the time. There must be no scandal. Come, Jason; surely you see that?”
“She tried to murder me.”
“Oh, quite, quite!” said he. “But you can’t prosecute her.”
“And I am to be turned adrift by the prince?”
“What use would it be to return? No doubt you annoyed her very much.”
“I wish you had undertaken the job.”
“I know her. I should have ridden outside.”
“It is, then, the prince’s wish that I should not return?”
“Yes. But he charges me to say that he will never forget your friendly services.”
I was disgusted. But I would force myself on no man.
“Then I’ll go home.”
“That will be much best,” he answered, with revolting alacrity.
“I say, Dumergue, what does the princess say about me?”
“She laughs every time your name is mentioned, and——”
“The devil take her!”
“She says you may keep the knife!”
I have it still, a little tortoise-shell-handled thing, with a sharp—a very sharp—point. On the blade is engraved, in German letters, “Sophia.” It is a pretty toy, and in its delicacy, its tininess, its elegance, its seeming harmlessness, and its very sharp point, it reminds me much of Princess Ferdinand of Glottenberg.
I.Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Yours sincerely,M. Robinson.II.My Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Always yours very sincerely,Minnie Robinson.III.My Dear Jack (!): * * * *Yours always,Minnie Robinson.IV.My Dearest Jack: * * * *Yours,Minnie.V.My Darling Jack: * * * *Lovingly, yourMin.VI.My Dearest Jack: * * * *Lovingly,Minnie.VII.My Dear Jack: * * * *With love,Yours,Minnie.VIII.Dear Jack: * * * *Ever yours,Minnie Robinson.IX.My Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Your sincere friend,Minnie Robinson.X.Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Yours sincerely,M. Robinson.XI.Silence.
I.Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Yours sincerely,M. Robinson.II.My Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Always yours very sincerely,Minnie Robinson.III.My Dear Jack (!): * * * *Yours always,Minnie Robinson.IV.My Dearest Jack: * * * *Yours,Minnie.V.My Darling Jack: * * * *Lovingly, yourMin.VI.My Dearest Jack: * * * *Lovingly,Minnie.VII.My Dear Jack: * * * *With love,Yours,Minnie.VIII.Dear Jack: * * * *Ever yours,Minnie Robinson.IX.My Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Your sincere friend,Minnie Robinson.X.Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Yours sincerely,M. Robinson.XI.Silence.
I.
Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Yours sincerely,M. Robinson.
II.
My Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Always yours very sincerely,Minnie Robinson.
III.
My Dear Jack (!): * * * *Yours always,Minnie Robinson.
IV.
My Dearest Jack: * * * *Yours,Minnie.
V.
My Darling Jack: * * * *Lovingly, yourMin.
VI.
My Dearest Jack: * * * *Lovingly,Minnie.
VII.
My Dear Jack: * * * *With love,Yours,Minnie.
VIII.
Dear Jack: * * * *Ever yours,Minnie Robinson.
IX.
My Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Your sincere friend,Minnie Robinson.
X.
Dear Mr. Brown: * * * *Yours sincerely,M. Robinson.
XI.
Silence.