"You said the American was very handsome and I said 'thank you.' I
mean I don't agree with you."
"Oh!" she answered.
But I would have been better satisfied if I could have seen her face.
"I wouldn't let the Valerians know it," she went on. "He is the
perfect double of the great national Hero."
"So I've heard."
"And it's no small item in his popularity."
"I didn't know he was popular," I said.--This was getting interesting.
"Really, monsieur, your ignorance of the very matters, which you should
know, would suggest you are an American diplomat."
"Your Ladyship is severe," I said.
"I meant to be--though there are exceptions; the present Ambassador is
one. He ranks with the best of his fellows."
"Now, that," said I, "I have heard."
She laughed. "Come, monsieur, lay aside this affected ignorance and
gossip a bit. Is the American to marry the Princess Royal?"
"I thought you were insisting, a moment since, that he had a wife," I
observed.
"Oh, that's of no consequence. It will be very easy to divorce her."
Here, doubtless, was the popular view of this matter; and it gave me
the shudders.
Then the swing of a waltz came from the house.
"Shall we dance?" I said.