while and you will
forget her. A countess, of course, is different."

"Harry, I know it is downright madness for me to act like this," said
Lorry, his jaws set and his hands clenched as he raised himself to his
elbow. "You don't know how much I love her."

"Your nerve is to be admired, but--well, I'm sorry for you."

"Thanks for your sympathy. I suppose I'll need it," and he sank back
gloomily. Anguish was right--absurdly right.

There was a rap at the door and Anguish hastened to open it. A servant
presented Count Halfort's compliments and begged leave to call.

"Shall we see the old boy?" asked Harry.

"Yes, yes," responded the other. The servant understood the sign made by
Anguish and disappeared. "Diplomatic call, I suspect."

"He is the prime minister, I understand. Well, we'll diplome with him
until bed-time, if he cares to stay. I'm getting rather accustomed to
the nobility. They are not so bad, after all. Friendly and all that--Ah,
good evening, your excellency! We are honored."

The Count had entered the room and was advancing toward the couch, tall,
easy and the personification of cordiality.

"I could not retire until I had satisfied myself as to Mr. Lorry's
condition and his comfort," said he, in his broken English. He seated
himself near the couch and bent sharp, anxious eyes on the recumbent
figure.

"Oh, he's all right," volunteered Anguish, readily. "Be able to go into
battle again tomorrow."

"That is the way with you aggressive Americans. I am told. They never
give up until they are dead," said the Count, courteously. "Your head is
better?"

"It does not pain me as it did, and I'm sure I'll be able to get out
to-morrow. Thank you very much for your interest," said Lorry. "May I
inquire after the health of the Countess Halfont? The excitement of last
night has not had an unpleasant effect, I hope."

"She is with the Princess, and both are quite well. Since our war,
gentlemen, Graustark women have nothing to acquire in the way of courage
and endurance. You, of course, know nothing of the horrors of that war."

"But we would be thankful for the story of it, your excellency. War is
a hobby of mine. I read every war scare that gets into print," said
Anguish, eagerly.

"We, of Graustark, at present have every reason to recall the last war
and bitterly to lament its ending. The war occurred just fifteen years
ago--but will the recital tire you, Mr. Lorry? I came to spend a few
moments socia