fully. He was thinking of
Mademoiselle of the Veil and her prophecy of ravens. "I don't know that
I shall be able. It is my opinion that your part in the affair is only
a curtain-raiser to graver things. Every one of importance in town goes
about with an air of expectancy. I never saw anything like it. It is the
king, the archbishop and the chancellor against two hundred thousand.
You're a soldier; can't you smell powder?"

"Powder! You do not believe the duchess mad enough to wage war?"

"Trust a woman to do what no one dreams she will."

"But Austria would be about her ears in a minute!"

"Maybe. Have you seen this Colonel Beauvais of the royal cuirassiers,
the actual head of the army here?"

"A fine soldier," said the Englishman, heartily. "Rides like a centaur
and wields a saber as if it were a piece of straw."

"I can hold a pretty good blade myself; I've an idea that I can lick him
at both games."

Fitzgerald laughed good-naturedly. "There is the one flaw in your
make-up. I admit your horsemanship; but the saber! Believe me, it is
only the constant practice and a wrist of iron which make the saber
formidable. You are more familiar with the pen; I dare say you could
best him at that."

"What makes you think I can not lick him?"

"Since when have the saber and the civilian been on terms? And these
continental sabers are matchless, the finest in the world. I trust you
will steer clear of the Colonel; if you have any challenge in mind,
spring it on me, and I'll let you down easy." Then: "Why the devil do
you want to lick him, anyway?"

"I don't know," said Maurice. "I had a close range to-night, and somehow
the man went against the grain. Well, Jack, I'll stay with you in this
affair, though, as the county judge at home would say, it's out of my
circuit."

They shook hands across the table.

"Come," said Fitzgerald; "a toast, for I must be off."

"What do you say to her Royal Highness?"

"Let us make it general: to all women!"

They set down the glasses and shook hands again.

"It seemed good to run across you in Vienna, Maurice. You were one of
the bright spots in the old days."

"Do you want me to walk with you to the Grand? It's a fine night," said
Maurice, waving his hand toward the moon. "By George, what a beautiful
place this end of Bleiberg is! I do not wonder that the duchess covets
it."

"No, I'll go alone. All I have to do is to march straight up the
Strasse."

"Well, good-night and