bit sharply;
but she gave me only the usual mocking smile.

"Where shall we go?" I asked.

"You have no choice?"

"None--all roads are alike delightful now. Besides, you forget I came
here only two days ago; this is my first ride since then."

"Then, suppose we go out by the Forge and around by the hill road above
the Palace?"

"You must be the guide," I replied.

"Come along, then; we turn to the right here."

"Only"----I began.

"Oh! I'll have you back in time for breakfast," she cut in. "That was
what you meant?"

"Your Ladyship is a mind reader."

"Nonsense! I'm human enough to have an appetite, too."

"Perhaps there is an inn on the way," I suggested. (There was none six
years ago.)

She shook her head. "There's nothing to eat before Dornlitz, if we go
that route."

"Some day we must find one that has a breakfast on it," said I.

"There are several; I know them well," she said.

"Good; and you will take me to them?"

"It will be jolly."

"I am very lucky to have you in Dornlitz," I said gratefully.

She smiled sweetly. "Maybe I'm lucky, too," she said.

It brought me up with a jerk. It was folly to be serious with her--she
was only bantering as usual.

"It's none of my affair, of course," I said with assumed sadness, "but
I would like to know how many poor devils have gone down before that
smile in the last six years."

"You mean?"

"That you're the most consummate coquette I know."

"Is that a compliment?" she asked.

"That depends."

"Upon what?"

"Upon the way you use your power."

She hesitated a moment. "Have I ever used it improperly to your
knowledge?" she asked.

I dodged the question. "You admit the power, then?"

"I admit nothing, except that I do not like to be called a coquette."

I saw she was in earnest here; there was almost a choke in her voice.

"But I would not have you otherwise," I objected.

She shook her bead. "You say that only because you think you hurt me."

"Don't you know your bright and happy disposition is a thing beyond
price?" I argued.

"I know its price is heavy--I have paid it to you just now--I am paying
it every day of my life." There were tears in the voice.

I was at a loss what to say. A man is an awkward comforter at best,
and when he is guilty of bringing on the trouble, he is sure only to
make a worse mess of it. So I held my tongue and we rode a while in
silence.

She spoke first. "I know you are quite justif