Part 18 (1/2)
”That is remotely true,” I observed, very well pleased to find that I had left my mark on the fellow
”Then we come to this,” pursued Sapt: ”'Mada to instructions, left by train at midday She took a ticket for Dresden--'”
”It's an old habit of hers,” said I
”'The Dresden train stops at Zenda' An acute fellow, this And finally listen to this: 'The state of feeling in the city is not satisfactory
The King is much criticized' (you know, he's told to be quite frank) 'for taking no steps about his e of the Princess Flavia, her Royal Highness is believed to be deeply offended by the re her naains estion' I have caused the announceht in honour of the princess to be widely diffused, and the effect is good”
”That is news to hed Fritz ”I've seen to that”
Sapt turned to me and said, in a sharp, decisive voice:
”You ht, you know”
”I think it is very likely I shall, if I see her alone,” said I ”Hang it, Sapt, you don't suppose I find it difficult?”
Fritz whistled a bar or two; then he said: ”You'll find it only too easy Look here, I hate telling you this, but I a toldSince the coronation, her feelings have undergone a marked develop's apparent neglect”
”Here's a kettle of fish!+” I groaned
”Tut, tut!” said Sapt ”I suppose you've irl before now? That's all she wants”
Fritz, himself a lover, understood better
”I think, though,” pursued that cold-blooded old Sapt, ”that you'd better ht”
”Good heavens!”
”Or, any rate, go near it: and I shall send a 'se of the sort--no more will you!” said I ”I utterly refuse to take part ina fool of the princess”
Sapt looked atsht,” said he ”We mustn't press you too hard
Soothe her down a bit, if you can, you kno for Michael!”
”Oh, damn Michael!” said I ”He'll do toarden”
Sapt at once yielded His rough nize e of hue me so little about the princess? Because he knew that her beauty and u, the more likely was I to do it Heon the princess; but that went for nothing with hi were restored, the princess e And if the King were not restored to us? It was a subject that we had never yet spoken of But I had an idea that, in such a case, Sapt meant to seat me on the throne of Ruritania for the term of my life He would have set Satan himself there sooner than that pupil of his, Black Michael
The ball was a su a quadrille with Flavia: then I waltzed with her Curious eyes and eager whispers attended us We went in to supper; and, half way through, I, half lance had answeredmet my stammered sentences--I rose inthe Red Rose that I wore, flung the ribbon with its jewelled badge round her neck In a tu over his wine, and Fritz frowning The rest of the meal passed in silence; neither Flavia nor I could speak Fritz touched ave her my arm, and walked down the hall into a little rooentlemen and ladies in attendance withdrew, and ere alone