"But if I were to fail to carry the game through properly?" I said.
She hesitated. "I may fail, too," she said.
"And then?" I asked.
She looked away. "It would make no difference in the ending. You
would go away; and I--would make some crazy marriage of political
expediency."
I straightened up. Maybe she had not been maliciously leading me out.
Maybe she was simply unhappy and wanting a new sensation. Then,
suddenly, she put her hand on my arm.
"Come, Armand," she said; "take me back to the King. We have flirted
enough for one evening."
"We?" I said wonderingly.
She took a rose from her gown--and drew it through my sword belt.
"Yes," she said; and gave me one of those bewildering smiles.
"Wouldn't you call it that? At least, you have taught me to-night all
I know of the game."
"And how about six years ago, cousin?" I said, securing her hand.
She looked down demurely. "Well, maybe I did learn a little that day,"
she admitted.