I shall be
ever in your debt."
Silence fell upon us. I knew that I loved her with a love that was
burning me up, consuming me. And the adventure was all so unheard of
for these prosaic times! And so full of the charm of mystery was she
that I had not been a man not to have fallen a victim. What
possibilities suggested themselves 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! Ah, that plain
carriage held a wonderful dream that night. At length--too shortly for
me--the vehicle drew up in front of my hotel. As I was about to alight
her hand stretched toward me. But instead of kissing it, I pressed my
lips on her round white arm. As though my lips burned, she drew back.
"Have a care, monsieur; have a care," she said, icily. "Such a kiss
has to be won."
I stammered an apology and stepped out. Then I heard a low laugh.
"Good night, Mr.
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