"I wish I might flirt," she broke out suddenly.
I grasped the marble rail for support.
"Don"t look so surprised," she laughed, "I"ll not try it--I know what is permitted me."
"Then you never flirted?" I asked with a.s.sumed seriousness.
"No; that"s another penalty of birth. With whom may the Princess Royal flirt?"
I waved my hand toward the ball room.
"I hope I am neither cruel nor indiscreet," she said, rather curtly.
"But there are many royal guests come to Dornlitz," I ventured.
She shrugged her shoulders. "They all bore me."
"Which only makes them the better material to practice on."
"Surely, I am very innocent," she said. "I thought at least a bit of sentiment was required."
"Sentiment only endangers the game," I explained.
"But suppose the sentiment were to come suddenly--in the midst of the "game," as you call it?"
"Then," said I, "there is rare trouble ahead for the other party."
"But if that one also were to become--you know," she went on.
"There"s an end to the flirtation; it"s a different kind of game then."
"Are you quite sure there can be flirtation without sentiment?" she persisted.
"It"s the only artistic sort; and the only safe sort, too," I answered sagely.
"And is it a pleasant game to play for a while in that fashion?" she asked.
"Doubtless," I answered evasively; "only it is rarely done."
She went back to the roses again. "I think, cousin, I shall flirt with you," she said suddenly.
I took a fresh hold on the railing. I was surprised.
But I was more troubled; for I was quite sure she meant it.
"Don"t you think, Princess, you are putting me to a heavy test?" I objected. "I may cease to be artistic."
"You said it could be done."
"Yes, as a general----"
"Then your test is no heavier than mine," she interrupted.
I bowed. So, this was her punishment for the kiss of salutation.
"But if I were to fail to carry the game through properly?" I said.
She hesitated. "I may fail, too," she said.
"And then?" I asked.
She looked away. "It would make no difference in the ending. You would go away; and I--would make some crazy marriage of political expediency."
I straightened up. Maybe she had not been maliciously leading me out.
Maybe she was simply unhappy and wanting a new sensation. Then, suddenly, she put her hand on my arm.
"Come, Armand," she said; "take me back to the King. We have flirted enough for one evening."
"We?" I said wonderingly.
She took a rose from her gown--and drew it through my sword belt.
"Yes," she said; and gave me one of those bewildering smiles.
"Wouldn"t you call it that? At least, you have taught me to-night all I know of the game."
"And how about six years ago, cousin?" I said, securing her hand.
She looked down demurely. "Well, maybe I did learn a little that day,"
she admitted.
VII
AN EARLY MORNING RIDE
The second morning after the ball I arose early--in fact, just as the bugles of the garrison were sounding reveille--and went for a horseback ride into the country. Though I knew about all the roads in the vicinity, I confess it never occurred to me to take any but that which led toward the Summer Palace and the place where I had first met the Princess.
It may be some will scoff at this, but I venture that by far the majority will deem it only natural. For myself I may further admit that I ordered my horse the night before for no other purpose; and I have no excuse to offer. From all of which it may be inferred that I, at least, was scarcely likely to be artistic long in a certain flirtation.
I had thought it all over during the last thirty-six hours, and, as I jogged through the streets, I went over with it again--and always with the same result: I would enjoy it while it lasted. Afterward--well, afterward would be time enough when it came. So I shrugged my shoulders and returned the salute of the officer at the gate and rode out into the open country.
I had gone, possibly, a mile when there came the beat of running hoofs behind me and rapidly nearing. Thinking it might be a messenger from the Emba.s.sy I swung around in saddle--only to find the front horse was ridden by a woman and the other by a groom.
My first thought was: "The Princess!" my next: "By Jove, she rides well!" Then something familiar in seat and figure struck me and I recognized Lady Helen Radnor. Evidently she had already made me out, for she waved her crop and pulled down to a canter. Here was an end to my solitary ride; I turned back to meet her.
"Why, Major Dalberg, what luck!" she cried. "One might imagine we were in Washington again."