Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 90: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

? eS ae Pood Ss gy he. ty eg See a ne Hy Pay ——- ae ee sue eS. ee ~ «* “ - - b — ig >> 720 false pretences,” he said. “JI think per- haps you did not quite understand all that it meant. I feel I am taking a mean ad- vantage of you.” Despite everything, his words were sweet to me, and so was his new manner. I could not help feeling that behind this new solici- tude for my feelings was his love for Betty Fane. ‘What do you say?” he went on. ‘““J—J don’t know,” I answered. “You will have time to think, when I am gone. Think very carefully. I will restore all the money you have—advanced to me. If you wish it, I will arrange everything. A suitable explanation can easily be found. I—I can’t help feeling that I am not play- ing the game, as you say in English.” My heart beat faster and faster. “Ves,” I said, “I will let you know. Of course I would have to be very certain that I couldn’t stand the life. Everything is arranged. It would be very awkward for everybody.” “Of course. But you must not let that stand in your way.” I could see that he was relieved, all the same. I supposed the money counted a ereat deal with him. “To-morrow,” he said, rising as Bunch came over the brilliantly green grass, fol- lowed by servants with tea. “TI shall, I am afraid, have to be absent all day. The King of Maronia is in Cannes and has asked me to dine quietly with him. There is no party, as he is here for his health which is very feeble.” “Oh, yes,’ I said. ‘“ Then we shall not see you until Sunday. You will lunch here? Unless you could lunch to-morrow? I could not help that seemingly guileless question. ‘“T am afraid not,” he answered hastily. “JT fear I must decline. I could see him casting about for an excuse. At last he said very lamely: ‘‘ The King of Maronia has, in fact, asked me to spend the day.” But I knew better. He was engaged to drive Betty Fane into Italy. They were to spend together the last wonderful day. And, as I poured out the tea, and handed him a cup, I wondered he did not notice how my hand shook. I wondered how it ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. was he did not know by some inner knowl- edge that it was that hand he had covered with such burning kisses only a few hours ago. CHAPTER XII. HOLIDAY! HAT evening there was a formal din- ner at the De Chanterelles. I sat on the prince’s right hand; King Peter on the princess’s. I was almost afraid of meeting her wonderful eyes, dreading to read in them that her brother had betrayed me. The fact that Bunch was not quite sure of Lord Maurice’s trustworthiness filled me with insecurity. She knew ,the world so well; she was such a good judge ot men. The moment the princess knew, the king would know. The thought grew to a panic during dinner. What would be the end? When we were in the drawing room after- wards—there were five other women pres- ent-—the princess took me aside. ‘““ Have you heard the King’s latest?” she asked, with that affectation of sympathy that made me rage inwardly. “He has brought over that dancing girl from London —do you remember the one who was going to dance at my féte for the hospital and then threw it up at the last minute. Miss Fane—she calls herself. Of course, King Peter used to dance with her all the time in London. He was at the Jetée Promen- ade with her last night.” How I longed to ignore her malevolent gossip, but I couldn’t. ‘“‘ Did your brother tell you?” I asked. “No. Monty Govan—that funny-eyed, white-haired man who sat opposite you. He is a very old friend, and really a pet. He saw them. He said they were dancing like two wild things. And then they sat out for ages on the terrace in a dark corner. I don’t even know whether Maury went to the ball. I thought he was going, but he didn’t say anything about it this morning.”’ So Lord Maurice hadn’t given me away. I suddenly remembered Mr. Govan. His face had been puzzling me during dinner. 5 A GoOmicsoo KS (©) 5}