"You had better go alone," replied Pembroke. "I haven't the courage."
The moment the curtain dropped I left the stall. I passed along the
corridor and soon stood outside the box in which Phyllis sat. I
knocked gently.
"Enter!" said a soft voice.
"Ah," said the Chancellor, smiling as he saw me. "Duke, I believe
their Majesties are looking this way. Let us go to them. I am pleased
to see you, Herr Winthrop. Duke, this is the gentleman who has turned
us all upside down."
The Duke bowed, and the two left me alone with Phyllis.
There was an embarrassing silence, but she surmounted it.
"Why have you not been to see me?" she asked. "Are you done with me
now that you have made me a Princess?"
"I did call, but was told that you were indisposed," said I.
"It was because I did not see your card. I shall never be indisposed
to my friends--the old ones. However, they will be crowding in here
shortly. Will you come and see me at four to-morrow afternoon?"
"Is it important?" I was thinking of the duel when I said this.
"Very--to you. You have a strange funereal expression for a man who is
about to wed the woman he loves.
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