with the Guard,' he replied.

'That ceremony occasionally includes the use of a sword or a pistol.'

'I have used neither,' he replied.

'Are you then also a diplomatist?' she asked with quick scorn.

Rallywood pulled his moustache. He did not pretend to understand women,
but that Mademoiselle Selpdorf should now despise him for escaping a
danger she had half an hour ago trembled over and prayed to avert,
seemed at best rather inconsistent.

'I have attempted to be diplomatic now and then, perhaps,' he said, 'but
not always with conspicuous success.'

'Diplomacy was never meant,' she said, looking frowningly at him through
her black lashes, 'never meant to be a private virtue. Its only excuse
lies in a national necessity.'

'M. Selpdorf instructed me to avoid a quarrel,' rejoined Rallywood.

'What do you suppose he meant,' she asked bitterly, 'knowing you had to
deal with the Guard?'

'Ah!' and a slow smile dawned in his eyes; 'now I wonder what he meant
knowing I had to deal with the Guard?'

Valerie frowned again; her words were not particularly expedient under
the circumstances, but she disliked having them flung back at her.

'I beg your pardon. Of course I know nothing of--of these things. The
matter concerns you only. But I thought, and I am sorry for the mistake,
that you looked like a man!'

There was a jingle of spurs behind her as she was about to turn away,
and Colonel Wallenloup strode up hurriedly.

'Captain Rallywood, why are you not wearing the uniform of your
regiment--of the Guard?' he asked in a loud tone.

There was a stir amongst the people about them; many stopped and drew
nearer to hear the end of this unprecedented conversation.

'Because I intend to resign my commission to-morrow, sir,' replied
Rallywood haughtily.

'On the part of the Guard, I beg of you to reconsider that decision,'
urged Wallenloup.

He shook hands gravely with the young man, then detaching a star of
gun-metal from his breast, he awkwardly attempted to fasten it to the
lapel of Rallywood's coat. 'I see you have not the star of the Guard.
May I give you mine? Unziar, see to this; I cannot attach it.'

'No, Colonel Wallenloup; that should rather be my duty,' said the
Countess Sagan, who happened to be standing by.

Wallenloup grunted.

'As the wife of our colonel-in-chief, madame, I feel sure your kindness
will be appreciated,' he said grimly.

Madame de Sagan's blue eyes glanced up into Rallywood's fac