Part 16 (2/2)
”Have they told you that you are to act as my especial guard and escort?” she asked, with a queer flutter in her voice. Somehow this tall fellow with the broad shoulders was not the same as the ragged goat-hunter she had known at first.
”No, your highness,” said he, easily. ”I have come for instructions. It pleases me to know that I am to have a place of honor and trust such as this.”
”General Marlanx has told me that a vacancy exists, and I have selected you to fill it. The compensation will be attended to by the proper persons, and your duties will be explained to you by one of the officers. This afternoon, I believe, you are to accompany me on my visit to the fortress, which I am to inspect.”
”Very well, your highness,” he respectfully said. He was thinking of Miss Calhoun, an American girl, although he called her ”your highness.”
”May I be permitted to ask for instructions that can come only from your highness?”
”Certainly,” she replied. His manner was more deferential than she had ever known it to be, but he threw a bomb into her fine composure with his next remark. He addressed her in the Graustark language:
”Is it your desire that I shall continue to address you in English?”
Beverly's face turned a bit red and her eyes wavered. By a wonderful effort she retained her self-control, stammering ever so faintly when she said in English:
”I wish you would speak English,” unwittingly giving answer to his question. ”I shall insist upon that. Your English is too good to be spoiled.”
Then he made a bold test, his first having failed. He spoke once more in the native tongue, this time softly and earnestly.
”As you wish, your highness, but I think it is a most ridiculous practice,” he said, and his heart lost none of its courage. Beverly looked at him almost pathetically. She knew that behind the curtain two young women were enjoying her discomfiture. Something told her that they were stifling their mirth with dainty lace-bordered handkerchiefs.
”That will do, sir,” she managed to say firmly. ”It's very nice of you, but after this pay your homage in English,” she went on, taking a long chance on his remark. It must have been complimentary, she reasoned. As for Baldos, the faintest sign of a smile touched his lips and his eyes were twinkling as he bent his head quickly. Franz was right; she did not know a word of the Graustark language.
”I have entered the service for six months, your highness,” he said in English. ”You have honored me, and I give my heart as well as my arm to your cause.”
Beverly, breathing easier, was properly impressed by this promise of fealty. She was looking with pride upon the figure of her stalwart protege.
”I hope you have destroyed that horrid black patch,” she said.
”It has gone to keep company with other devoted but deserted friends,”
he said, a tinge of bitterness in his voice.
”The uniform is vastly becoming,” she went on, realizing helplessly that she was providing intense amus.e.m.e.nt for the unseen auditors.
”It shames the rags in which you found me.”
”I shall never forget them, Baldos,” she said, with a strange earnestness in her voice.
”May I presume to inquire after the health of your good Aunt f.a.n.n.y and--although I did not see him--your Uncle Sam? ”he asked, with a face as straight and sincere as that of a judge. Beverly swallowed suddenly and checked a laugh with some difficulty.
”Aunt f.a.n.n.y is never ill. Some day I shall tell you more of Uncle Sam. It will interest you.”
”Another question, if it please your highness. Do you expect to return to America soon?”
This was the unexpected, but she met it with admirable composure.
”It depends upon the time when Prince Dantan resumes the throne in Dawsbergen,” she said.
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