"
He had the sleigh brought around. Stahlberg was to ride my horse back
to the village and return with the sleigh. We climbed into the seat,
there was a crunching of snow, a jangle of bells, and we were gliding
over the white highway. As I lay back among the robes, I tried to
imagine that it was a dream, that I was still in New York, grinding
away in my den, and not enacting one of the principal roles in a court
drama; that I was not in love with a woman who spoke familiarly to
kings and grand dukes and princes, that I was not about to create a
Princess of whom few had vaguely heard and of whom but one had really
known; that Phyllis and I were once more on the old friendly grounds,
and that I was to go on loving her till the end of time--till the end
of time.
"You have known this sister?" asked the innkeeper.
"For many years," said I.
And those were the only words which passed between us during that
five-mile drive. At the station I at once wired the Chancellor that
the proofs had been found, and requested him to inform the King and
Prince Ernst. And then another eight hours dragged themselves out of
existence.
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