"I shall dance no more to-night," she said. Then we reached the door
and found the small room crowded with officials and dignitaries. The
Princess halted sharply. "But you may take me for a turn on the
terrace," she concluded.
As we crossed the wide floor the crowd fell back,--but Dehra gave no
greeting to anyone, though she must have known all eyes were upon us.
Yet, to give her due credit, she seemed as unconscious of it as if we
were alone in the room. As for me, I admit I was acutely conscious of
it, and the walk to the door seemed endless. I must have shown my
relief when it was over, for the Princess looked up with a smile.
"That's your first trial as one of the Blood," she said.
"There are compensations," I answered.