"Shall I tell
you why I desired to meet you?"
I nodded.
"I have heard it said that the American bows down before a title; and I
am a woman, and curious."
Said I, laughing: "Your Highness has been misinformed. We never bow
down to a title; it is to the wearers that we bow."
This time her eyes fell.
"This sort of conversation is altogether new to me," she said, opening
the fan.
"I hope that I have not offended your Highness," I said.
"Indeed, no. But it seems so strange to have any one talk to me with
such frankness and deliberation. Have you no fear?"
"There is seldom fear where there is admiration. If you had used the
word awe, now----"
Soft laughter rippled over the fan. She had the most wonderful eyes.
"Are all Americans brave like yourself?" she next asked.
"Brave? What do you call brave?"
"Your utter lack of fear in my presence, in the first place: I am
called dangerous. And then, your exploits in the Balkistan, in the
second place. Are you not the M. Hillars whose bravery not so long ago
was an interesting topic in the newspapers? I know you.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66