CHAPTER XXXII--THE PRINCE ACCEPTS
The Hungarian, in the Continental, was drinking his coffee in his roomwhen his friends found him. He listened to what they had to say coolly.His eye-glass gave him an air of full dress even at this early hour.Poniotowsky had not fallen into a deep sleep and had a dream as DanBlair had--indeed he had only reached his rooms the night before when aletter had been brought him from Miss Lane. He was used to her caprices,which were countless, and he never left her with any certainty that heshould see her again, or with any idea of what her next move would be.The letter read:
"It's no use. I just can't. I've always told you so, and I mean it. I'm tired out--I want to go away and never see any one again. I want to die. I shall be dead next year, and I don't care. Please leave me alone and don't come to see me, and for heaven's sake don't bore me with notes."
When Poniotowsky received this note he had shrugged, and decided that ifhe lived after his duel with the young savage he would go to see theactress, taking a jewel or a gift--he would get her a Pomeranian dog, andall would be well. He listened coolly to what his friends had to say.
"_C'est un enfant_," one of them remarked sneeringly.
"In my mind, he is a coward," said the other.
"On the contrary," answered Poniotowsky coolly, "he shoots toperfection. You will be surprised to hear that I admire his refusal. Iaccept his decision, as his skill is unquestioned with arms. I choose tolook upon this reply as an apology. I would like to have you inform Mr.Blair of this fact. He's young enough to be my son, and he is abarbarian. The incident is closed."
He put Letty Lane's note in his pocket, and leisurely prepared to go outon the Rue de Castiglione to buy her a Pomeranian dog.
The Girl From His Town Page 32