be won."

I stammered an apology and stepped out. Then I heard a low laugh.

"Good night, Mr. Hillars; you are a brave gentleman!"

The door closed and the vehicle sped away into the darkness.

I stood looking after it, bewildered. Her last words were spoken in
pure English.

With the following evening came the dinner; and I as a guest, a
nervous, self-conscious guest, who started at every footstep. I was
presented to the King, who eyed me curiously. Seeing that I wore a
medal such as his Chancellor gives to men who sometimes do his country
service, he spoke to me and inquired how I had obtained it. It was an
affair similar to the Balkistan; only there was not an army, but a mob.
The Princess was enchanting. I grew reckless, and let her read my eyes
more than once; but she pretended not to see what was in them. At
dinner a toast was given to his Majesty. It was made with those steins
I showed you, Jack.

The Princess said softly to me, kissing the rim of the stein she held:
"My toast is not to the King, but to the gentleman!" I had both steins
bundled up and left with the host, together with my address.

It was not long after that the eventful moment for our flight arrived.
I knew that I was basely to abuse the hospitality of the King. But
what is a King to a man in love? Presently we two were alone in the
garden, the Princess and myself. She was whispering instructions,
telling me that I was a man of courage.

"It is not too late to back out," she said.

"I would face a thousand kings rather," I replied.

We could see at the gate the carriage which was to take us to the
station. Now came the moment when I was tried by the crucible and
found to be dross. I committed the most foolish blunder of my life.
My love suddenly overleapt its bounds. In a moment my arms were around
her lithe body; my lips met hers squarely. After it was done she stood
very still, as if incapable of understanding my offence. But I
understood. I was overwhelmed with remorse, love, and regret. I had
made impossible what might have been.

"Your Highness," I cried, "I could not help it! Before God I could
not! It is because I love you better than anything in the world--you
cannot be of it!--and all this is impossible, this going away together."

Her bosom heaved, and her eyes flashed like a heated summer sky.

"I will give you one minute to leave this place," she said, her tones
as even and as cold as sudden repress