"Time has a cruel way of moving us around," said I, snapping the clasps
on my gloves, and pulling the fingers and looking everywhere but at
her. I was wondering if I should ever see her again. "When is the
coronation to take place?"
"In June. The King does not wish to hurry me. You see, I must learn
to be a Princess first. It was kind of him. And you will be at
Hohenphalia to witness the event?"
"If nothing happens. We live in a continual uncertainty."
She regarded me somewhat strangely.
"Is there a significance in that last sentence?"
"No," I answered. I felt compelled to add something. "But here come
some of your new admirers. Their glittering medals will make me feel
out of place if I remain. I shall do my best to accept your
invitation."
"Jack, you are hiding something from me. Are you going to leave the
city to search for her?"
"No," said I. "The truth is," with a miserable attempt to smile, "I
have an engagement to-morrow morning, and it is impossible to tell how
long it will last. Good night."
Fate played loose with me that night. As I was turning down the
corridor I ran into the Prince. He was accompanied by Von Walden and
an attache whom I knew.
"Good evening," said the Prince. "Do you not prefer the French opera,
after all?"
"All good music is the same to me," I answered, calmly returning his
amused look with a contemptuous one. "Wagner, Verdi, Gounod, or Bizet,
it matters not."
The attache passed some cigarettes. Only the Prince refused.
"No thanks. I am not that kind of a villain." He laughed as he
uttered these words, and looked at me.
I would have given much to possess that man's coolness.
"Till we meet again," he said, as I continued on. "Shall I add
pleasant dreams?"
"I am obliged to you," I answered over my shoulder, "but I never have
them. I sleep too soundly."
"Cousin," said I, later, "what was that opera?"
"I forgot to bring along a program," said Pembroke.