Page:In the name of a woman (1900).djvu/62

 *terested in me to make these indirect inquiries as to my movements and intentions.

"Yes, I saw the Princess last night," I said, breaking the pause. "Do you come from her?" I was astonished at the steadiness of the tone in which I spoke.

"Well, yes; but yet not exactly—oh, hang it all, I'd better out with it. I shall only make a mess of things;" and he laughed gaily, and flushed. "I came to you mainly because I was asked to do so by Mademoiselle Broumoff, who is one of her closest companions; and Mademoiselle Broumoff and I are, in fact, betrothed. Now you've got it, Count; and that's why I fiddled about just now, and didn't know quite what to say."

"I am much mistaken if Mademoiselle Broumoff, whose acquaintance I shall hope to make, is not an exceedingly fortunate girl, lieutenant; and I speak without the least affectation when I say that your news interests me deeply."

It did, in all truth. To have as a friend someone who was in the close confidence of the Princess herself, was a stroke of good fortune which I could indeed appreciate; and I resolved to bind this handsome young officer to me by all possible bonds.

"The one commission is an antidote to the other, at any rate, I hope," said Spernow; "and if it's any gratification to you to know it, you can rest assured that the Princess takes a lively interest in you, and for some reason or other feels herself under some sort of obligation to you. Frankly, I don't know what it is; but I do know there are plenty of our fellows who'd like to stand in your shoes in such a thing. You can't think how we worship that woman!" he cried, with a flash of sudden enthusiasm.