She did not let me finish. She laid her hand on my arm and looked up all smiles and blushes into my eyes. "It would serve him right if I refused, sir. To frighten me like this!"
"Does the condition frighten you then?"
She crept into my arms and laid her head on my shoulder with a little sigh.
There was no need for any other answer; and we were nearly caught in this silent enjoyment of our victory by Chalice, who came rustling in to tell us of hers.
"It's been an absolute triumph," she announced boisterously. "The Kaiser was so delighted with my voice that he sent for me to say that he should pardon the Baron on my account. He is the loveliest man in the world."
And to this hour she believes that it was that and that only which had secured the Imperial clemency.
THE END
Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London
* * * * *
BY THE SAME AUTHOR.