The women
were not as friendly toward her as they might have been. The Prince
was standing near. Seeing me approach, his teeth gleamed for an
instant.
"Ah," said Gretchen, "here is Herr Winthrop, who is to take me in to
supper."
It was cleverly done, I thought. Even the Prince was of the same mind.
He appreciated all these phases. As we left them and passed in toward
the supper room, I whispered:
"I love you!"
CHAPTER XX
When I whispered these words I expected a gentle pressure from
Gretchen's fingers, which rested lightly on my arm. But there was no
sign, and I grew troubled. The blue-green eyes sparkled, and the white
teeth shone between the red lips. Yet something was lacking.
"Let us go into the conservatory," she said. "It was merely a ruse of
mine. I want no supper. I have much to say to you."
Altogether, I had dreamed of a different reception. When I entered the
doorway, and she first saw me, it was Gretchen; but now it was
distinctly a Princess, a woman of the world, full of those devices
which humble and confuse us men.
Somehow we selected, by mutual accord, a seat among the roses.
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