"In the upper proscenium," he said.
It was Phyllis. The Chancellor and the Grand Duke of S---- were with
her.
"We shall visit her during the first intermission," said I.
"You had better go alone," replied Pembroke. "I haven't the courage."
The moment the curtain dropped I left the stall. I passed along the
corridor and soon stood outside the box in which Phyllis sat. I
knocked gently.
"Enter!" said a soft voice.
"Ah," said the Chancellor, smiling as he saw me. "Duke, I believe
their Majesties are looking this way. Let us go to them. I am pleased
to see you, Herr Winthrop. Duke, this is the gentleman who has turned
us all upside down."
The Duke bowed, and the two left me alone with Phyllis.
There was an embarrassing silence, but she surmounted it.
"Why have you not been to see me?" she asked. "Are you done with me
now that you have made me a Princess?"
"I did call, but was told that you were indisposed," said I.
"It was because I did not see your card. I shall never be indisposed
to my friends--the old ones. However, they will be crowding in here
shortly. Will you come and see me at four to-morrow afternoon?"
"Is it important?" I was thinking of the duel when I said this.
"Very--to you. You have a strange funereal expression for a man who is
about to wed the woman he loves."
"Your sister has left town?" not knowing what else to say.
"Only for a few days; at least so she told me. Have you seen her?"
"No, I have not. A Princess!" dropping into a lighter tone. "You
carry your honors well. It was to be expected of you. I might have
made you a Queen, but that would not have changed you any."
"Thank you. Do you know, a title is a most wonderful drawing
apparatus? Since Thursday it has been a continued performance of
presentations. And I care absolutely nothing for it all. Indeed, it
rests heavily upon me. I am no longer free. Ah, Jack, and to think
that I must blame you! I have been longing all the evening for the
little garden at home. Yes, it will always be home to me. I am almost
an alien. I would rather sell lemonade to poor reporters who had only
twenty-five-cent pieces in their pockets than queen it over a people
that do not interest me and with whom I have nothing in common." She
smiled, rather sadly, I thought, at the remembrance of that garden
scene so long ago.