VII
AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
The second morning after the ball I arose early--in fact, just as thebugles of the garrison were sounding reveille--and went for a horsebackride into the country. Though I knew about all the roads in thevicinity, I confess it never occurred to me to take any but that whichled toward the Summer Palace and the place where I had first met thePrincess.
It may be some will scoff at this, but I venture that by far themajority will deem it only natural. For myself I may further admitthat I ordered my horse the night before for no other purpose; and Ihave no excuse to offer. From all of which it may be inferred that I,at least, was scarcely likely to be artistic long in a certainflirtation.
I had thought it all over during the last thirty-six hours, and, as Ijogged through the streets, I went over with it again--and always withthe same result: I would enjoy it while it lasted. Afterward--well,afterward would be time enough when it came. So I shrugged myshoulders and returned the salute of the officer at the gate and rodeout into the open country.
I had gone, possibly, a mile when there came the beat of running hoofsbehind me and rapidly nearing. Thinking it might be a messenger fromthe Embassy I swung around in saddle--only to find the front horse wasridden by a woman and the other by a groom.
My first thought was: "The Princess!" my next: "By Jove, she rideswell!" Then something familiar in seat and figure struck me and Irecognized Lady Helen Radnor. Evidently she had already made me out,for she waved her crop and pulled down to a canter. Here was an end tomy solitary ride; I turned back to meet her.
"Why, Major Dalberg, what luck!" she cried. "One might imagine we werein Washington again."
"What need for Washington," said I, "since we are here?"
"True! It's always the people that make the place," she laughed.
"Then you like Dornlitz as well as Washington?"
"Yes, lately."
"If I were at all conceited I would guess that 'lately' meant----"
"Yes?" she asked.
"But as I'm not conceited I won't guess."
"I'm afraid it's not quite the same, then, as in Washington!"
I made no reply.
"There, you would have been ready to believe I followed youintentionally."
"Did you ever do that?" I asked.
She laughed. "We are quits now."
"Then I may ride with you?"
"Surely--why do you think I overtook you?"
I bowed to my horse's neck. "I am flattered," I said.
"You ought to be, sir."
I looked at her quickly. It was said, it seemed to me, a bit sharply;but she gave me only the usual mocking smile.
"Where shall we go?" I asked.
"You have no choice?"
"None--all roads are alike delightful now. Besides, you forget I camehere only two days ago; this is my first ride since then."
"Then, suppose we go out by the Forge and around by the hill road abovethe Palace?"
"You must be the guide," I replied.
"Come along, then; we turn to the right here."
"Only"----I began.
"Oh! I'll have you back in time for breakfast," she cut in. "That waswhat you meant?"
"Your Ladyship is a mind reader."
"Nonsense! I'm human enough to have an appetite, too."
"Perhaps there is an inn on the way," I suggested. (There was none sixyears ago.)
She shook her head. "There's nothing to eat before Dornlitz, if we gothat route."
"Some day we must find one that has a breakfast on it," said I.
"There are several; I know them well," she said.
"Good; and you will take me to them?"
"It will be jolly."
"I am very lucky to have you in Dornlitz," I said gratefully.
She smiled sweetly. "Maybe I'm lucky, too," she said.
It brought me up with a jerk. It was folly to be serious with her--shewas only bantering as usual.
"It's none of my affair, of course," I said with assumed sadness, "butI would like to know how many poor devils have gone down before thatsmile in the last six years."
"You mean?"
"That you're the most consummate coquette I know."
"Is that a compliment?" she asked.
"That depends."
"Upon what?"
"Upon the way you use your power."
She hesitated a moment. "Have I ever used it improperly to yourknowledge?" she asked.
I dodged the question. "You admit the power, then?"
"I admit nothing, except that I do not like to be called a coquette."
I saw she was in earnest here; there was almost a choke in her voice.
"But I would not have you otherwise," I objected.
She shook her bead. "You say that only because you think you hurt me."
"Don't you know your bright and happy disposition is a thing beyondprice?" I argued.
"I know its price is heavy--I have paid it to you just now--I am payingit every day of my life." There were tears in the voice.
I was at a loss what to say. A man is an awkward comforter at best,and when he is guilty of bringing on the trouble, he is sure only tomake a worse mess of it. So I held my tongue and we rode a while insilence.
She spoke first. "I know you are quite justified in your notion ofme," she said. "I have given you every reason to call me coquette,flirt, or anything of that sort."
I raised my hand in protest.
"No, let me finish," she went on. "I have only myself to blame for it.I was warned against you before I ever saw you; and, so, I tried toplay your own game from the start." (I hope I had the grace to blush;I think I had.) "But the other night, somehow, the game got too fastfor me--and I--well, I bungled. But whether you believe me or not,Major Dalberg, I want to say, as a solace to myself, at least, that youare the only man who ever kissed my face."
I have smelled considerable powder in active service, and I think I maysay I have a fair amount of courage, but it had all oozed away beforethe grieving tones and melting eyes of beauty in distress; and inanother moment I should have cut and run like the rankest coward. For,what would you? A handsome woman (none I had ever seen, not even thePrincess, surpassed her) almost in tears beside you--and all because ofyour own clumsy tongue and heavy sense.
I opened my mouth to speak; but the words did not come. In truth, mybrain would not act. I was vacant of ideas. And so she waited; whileour horses walked with heads together, friendly as old stable chums.Then I found my tongue.
"My dear Lady Helen," I said, "I owe you an apology for what I did thatnight."
"You owe me nothing," she broke in. "You know perfectly well that whena woman is kissed in that way she has only herself to blame."
"But it takes two to make a bargain," I insisted; "and it was I who didit."
"Tell me," she demanded, "tell me honestly; you didn't imagine I wouldbe angry?--you felt perfectly easy about it at the time?"
I bungled again, of course: I hesitated.
She laughed scornfully. "You have answered me, Major Dalberg."
"No," said I, "I have not. You were angry at the instant, though youchose to act otherwise. I thought so, then; I am sure of it now."
A feeble smile touched her lips. "Confess, that you then thought theanger only assumed."
"Didn't you act deliberately to make me think so?"
"After you had kissed me," she said, half defiantly, "what mattered itif I played it on to the end?"
"And you did it beautifully," I agreed.
"So beautifully that you intimated I proposed playing it all over againwith your friend Courtney."
"You wrong me there," I objected.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"I was annoyed at your going off with him."
She turned and looked me in the eyes. "You might, at least, spare methe discourtesy of flippancy," she said.
"But I am serious, I assure you," I in
sisted.
She smiled incredulously. "I am so sorry to have bored you, MajorDalberg----"
"But you don't understand----" I protested.
"Please let us drop the subject," she interrupted. "Don't you thinkthat a pretty view?" and she pointed with her crop to a mite of a lakebelow us, flashing through the trees.
I hope I did not show in my face how willing I was to change thesubject; and I know I tried to keep it out of my voice. But I fear Igrew altogether too enthusiastic over the bit of scenery for,presently, Lady Helen remarked dryly:
"One would never imagine you a lover of--nature."
I pulled myself up sharply. "Are my looks so much against me?"
"I don't see that looks have anything to do with it. I mean one doesnot associate such tastes with professional soldiers. Nature, to them,would normally represent only obstacles to overcome or advantages to beutilized."
"But men do not look at everything through their professional eyes," Ilaughed. "If they did, every lawyer when he saw you would have but theone thought: 'What a glorious plaintiff for a breach of promise case.'"
"I suppose you think that complimentary," she said.
"It was not so intended."
"I trust not."
"I used it only to illustrate the proposition."
"Are you trying to make me quarrel with you?" she demanded.
"Surely not."
"Then let us avoid the personal."
"I will do anything to preserve the peace," I said--"and be shown thoseother rides."
"The peace depends entirely upon yourself."
"And the rides?"
She studied her gloves a bit. "They depend upon your good behaviorand--the future." And now, something of the old sweetness was in hersmile.
"Then the rides are sure," I said. "Come, let us give the horses achance to stretch themselves."
We pulled up at the Old Forge; a smithy long deserted and now almosthidden beneath vines and undergrowth. It lay at the crossways of tworoads--like a log on a saw-buck--and our route was around it to theleft. Just beside the track a spring bubbled out into a wide rockbasin. At the basin a tall bay horse was drinking; and in the saddle,with hands clasped around the pommel, sat the Princess Dehra, so deepin thought she did not note our approach.
It was the horse who aroused her by the nervous upward fling of hishead. Then she held out her hand to Lady Helen--and gave me a smile.
"I am not the only one, then, who likes the early morning?" she said.
"It's the cream of the day," said Lady Helen.
"Rather the champagne of the day," the Princess answered. Then shelaughed. "I forgot, Major Dalberg, it isn't well to take champagnebefore breakfast."
"I prefer coffee, I admit," said I.
"Are you two going anywhere in particular?" she asked.
"Straight back to town," said Lady Helen; "don't you see Major Dalbergwants his breakfast?"
"And your Ladyship?" the Princess questioned.
Lady Helen laughed. "I am very human, too, I fear."
"Then, why not breakfast with me at the Summer Palace?" said Dehra.
"We shall be delighted," said Lady Helen, without even questioning meby a glance.
"Your Royal Highness is too gracious," I protested. "I fear Ishall----"
Dehra raised her crop. "There is only one shaft, sir; you shall comewith us."
So I went; even while my better judgment bade me turn bridle and gallopaway. A man is very helpless with one pretty woman; he is utterly atthe mercy of two.
Presently we passed the place where the Princess and I had met sixyears before. I glanced across and found her eyes on me. I noddedtoward the spot where I had removed the stone from the mare's hoof, andshe nodded back in answer.
"This is a very charming road," I said.
"It's a favorite with Your Highness, is it not?" asked Lady Helen. "Ihave often met you on it."
I affected to be interested in something beside the track.
"Yes, I believe it is," Dehra answered carelessly. "It is soft for thehorse and little travelled and I enjoy the quiet of the forest." Thenshe deliberately turned and smiled at me. And Lady Helen saw it.
At the top of the hill above the Palace the way narrowed and I fellbehind; and, dismounting, I affected to be fixing something about thegirth. I wanted to see the Princess go down that tree-lined way asonce before I had seen her. Then they came to the bend; and, leaningagainst my horse's shoulder, I waited. Would she remember?
Suddenly, she turned and waved her hand, exactly as she had done thatother time; only, this time, it was a beckon to follow, not a farewell.I sprang to saddle and dashed ahead, almost fearing to find hervanished and it only a dream. When I rounded the corner, the Princessand Lady Helen were turning into the drive that led from the road tothe Palace; and, once again, Dehra waved me onward.
They awaited me at the gate; and, with the guard standing at attention,we rode into the grounds. I noticed that the Princess acknowledged thesalute with her crop as though it were a sword. I had returned it withmy hand.
"Your way is the correct one," she said.
"But yours is much the prettier," I answered.
"Maybe that's why I used it," she laughed.
"It is sufficient justification," I assured her.
"His Majesty does not think so--he insists that the Colonel of the BlueGuards should conform to the regulations."
"I salute my superior officer," I said, and used my crop as she haddone.
"How delightful to be a Colonel," said Lady Helen. "I would wear theuniform all the time--if it were becoming."
"How could it be otherwise?" I exclaimed.
"No sarcasm, sir," she said sharply.
"No, Major Dalberg, no sarcasm," Dehra cautioned, "or you will beasking, presently, if I won my commission on the field of battle."
"I would rather not imagine you on the field of battle," I answered.
"Well, you needn't," she laughed. "It's an infliction of birth. Itbelongs to the eldest child of the King without regard to sex."
"It's a pity, in your case, the crown does not follow the Colonelcy," Ithought--but I did not say it.
At one of the private entrances we drew up. The Princess was out ofsaddle as quickly as myself; but the Lady Helen waited.
"If you don't want to stay I can contrive some excuse," she whispered,as I lifted her down.
"I'm quite willing to risk a royal breakfast if you are," I answered.
"Brave man," she mocked, gathering up her skirt; "you wouldn't flinchat leading a forlorn hope."
"Watch me follow one," I retorted, as I brought up the rear.
"Which one?" she asked over her shoulder; but I did not answer.
The breakfast was served in a charming little room--which I assumed tobe a portion of the Princess' private suite--and was of the sort toprovoke more early morning rides along the Old Forge Road.
"This may be a bit unconventional," said Dehra, addressing Lady Helen,rather than me, "but, if the English Ambassador can stand it, I willanswer for the King of Valeria."
"And I'll answer for the American Ambassador," I volunteered.
"Then the others don't matter," Lady Helen laughed.
"You surely have relieved us very much, Major Dalberg," the Princessadded. "Lady Helen and I have been so concerned for your reputation;you risk so much, you know, in breakfasting alone with two unmarriedyoung women."
"I'm quite sensible of my danger," I answered, and looked blandly fromone to the other.
The Princess kept her eyes on her plate; but Lady Helen gazed at me insome surprise.
"If you're not better behaved, sir, I'll take you away at once," shesaid.
"You're only putting a premium on a continuance of it," said Dehra.
"No, I'm not, Your Highness; he hasn't finished his breakfast."
"You're very wise," the Princess laughed.
Lady Helen shook her head. "You see, I've known Major Dalberg a lon
gtime," she said.
"Oh! then you had met before the night of the Ball?"
I looked at Dehra wonderingly. Had she forgotten that I myself hadtold her, on the terrace, how long I had known the Radnors.
"We were old dinner and cotillon partners in Washington," Lady Helenexplained. "He was very kind to me there."
"That wasn't a very difficult task, was it, Major Dalberg?" Dehraasked, fixing her blue eyes on my face.
"Please, Your Highness--please," exclaimed Lady Helen, holding up herhands.
"I think," I replied, "that Lady Helen is, in herself, the best answerto Your Highness's question."
Just then there came a step in the corridor and the King stood in thedoorway.
"Good morning, Lady Helen," he said, taking her fingers and raisingthem to his lips in the beautiful old-fashion; "it is a pleasure to seeyou here again." Then he bent and kissed Dehra on the forehead, andturning to me said, extending his hand: "And, Major Dalberg, you arevery welcome."
Frederick was monarch of a powerful nation, but he could, if he sowished, make those about him forget his crown and see only thequiet-mannered gentleman. With a word of excuse to us he drew thePrincess aside to a window embrasure. I turned to Lady Helen.
"So," said I, "you've been here before?"
She smiled.
"And this is not your first breakfast with Her Highness?" I went on.
Another smile.
"And, doubtless, you have often met her at the Old Forge?"
Once again a smile.
"And were engaged to meet her there this morning?"
"You are too discerning, Major," she said, with a shrug. "You shouldhave been a detective."
"Quite right," I agreed. "I am always the last to detect a plot or tofind the criminal."
She looked at me through half-closed eyes.
"Which means?"
I gave her back a look in kind. "Whatever you would."
She toyed with her rings a bit. "Why should I deliberately bring youand the Princess together?" she demanded.
"Why, indeed?" said I.
"You are of the Blood:--the Palace is open to you."
I raised my hand sharply in warning.
She glanced over my shoulder, toward the window, with a derisive smile."True, the Princess might wonder how I knew."
I made no answer.
"And the explanation would be a trifle difficult," she appended.
"Do you think she would ask an explanation?" I inquired.
She smiled. "No; you would have to volunteer it."
"That would be easy," I said indifferently.
"Surely! Surely! it would be easy to tell the Princess Royal that youwere so confidential with Lady Helen Radnor, on the terrace at theBirthday Ball, that you told her the secret of your cousinship--try it,Major Dalberg, try it--it will be so easy," and she laughed softly.
"I rather think I shall," said I, looking her in the eye. "I preferthat she hear it from me."
Her mood changed instantly. "You don't trust me?" she said.
I leaned forward and said. "I trust you entirely; surely, you knowthat!"
"And you will believe I had no appointment to meet the Princess?"
"If you wish it," I said.
Then the King and the Princess returned to the table.
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars Page 7