"He has been in a detestable mood ever since we rejoined him. Could he
have heard anything disagreeable?"
"No; on the contrary, it was quite agreeable."
All this time Baldos was standing at attention a few paces off, a model
soldier despite the angry shifting of his black eyes. He saw that they
had been caught in a most unfortunate position. No amount of explaining
could remove the impression that had been forced upon the witnesses,
voluntary or involuntary as the case might be. Baldos could do nothing
to help her, while she was compelled to face the suspicions of her best
friends. At best it could be considered nothing short of a clandestine
meeting, the consequences of which she must suffer, not he. In his
heated brain he was beginning to picture scandal with all the disgusting
details that grow out of evil misrepresentation.
Count Halfont separated himself from the group of three and advanced to
the sedan-chair. Marlanx and Dangloss were arguing earnestly in low
tones.
"Shall we return, your highness?" asked Halfont, addressing both with
one of his rarest smiles. "If I remember aright, we were to dine en
famille to-night, and it is well upon the hour. Besides, Count
Marlanx is a little distressed by your absent-mindedness, Miss Beverly,
and I fancy he is eager to have it out with you."
"My absent-mindedness? What is it that I have forgotten?" asked Beverly,
puckering her brow.
"That's the trouble, dear," said Yetive. "You forgot your promise to
teach him how to play that awful game called poker. He has waited for
you at the castle since six o'clock. It is now eight. Is it any wonder
that he led the searching party? He has been on nettles for an hour and
a half."
"Goodness, I'll wager he's in a temper!" exclaimed Beverly, with no
remorse, but some apprehension.
"It would be wisdom to apologize to him," suggested Yetive, and her
uncle nodded earnestly.
"All right. I think I can get him into good humor without half
trying. Oh, Count Marlanx! Come here, please. You aren't angry with me,
are you? Wasn't it awful for me to run away and leave you to play
solitaire instead of poker? But, don't you know, I was so wretchedly
tired after the ride, and I knew you wouldn't mind if I--" and so she
ran glibly on, completely forestalling him, to the secret amusement of
the others. Nevertheless, she was nervous and embarrassed over the
situation. There was every reason to fear that the Iron Count had heard
and seen enough to form a pretty good opinion of what had passed between
herself and Baldos in this remote corner of the park. A deep sense of
shame was taking possession of her.
Marlanx, smiling significantly, looked into her brave little face, and
permitted her to talk on until she had run out of breath and
composure. Then he bowed with exaggerated gallantry and informed her
that he was hers to command, and that it was not for him to forgive but
to accept whatever was her gracious pleasure. He called upon the
chair-bearers and they took up their burden. Beverly promptly changed
her mind and concluded to walk to the castle. And so they started off,
the chair going ahead as if out of commission forever. Despite her
efforts to do so, the American girl (feeling very much abused, by the
way), was unsuccessful in the attempt to keep the princess at her
side. Yetive deliberately walked ahead with Halfont and Dangloss. It
seemed to Beverly that they walked unnecessarily fast and that Marlanx
was provokingly slow. Baldos was twenty paces behind, as was his custom.