‘So you did,’ cried he eagerly. ‘In return for the homage I laid at your feet—as honest an adoration as ever a heart beat with—you condescended to let me build my ambitions before you, and I must own you made the edifice very dear to me.’
‘To be sure, I do remember it all, and I used to play or sing, “Mein Schatz ist ein Reiter,” and take your word that you were going to be a Lancer—
“In file arrayed,
With helm and blade,
And plume in the gay wind dancing.”
I’m certain my cousin would be charmed to see you in all your bravery.’
‘Your cousin will not speak to me for being an Austrian.’
‘Has she told you so?’
‘Yes, she said it at breakfast.’
‘That denunciation does not sound very dangerously; is it not worth your while to struggle against a misconception?’
‘I have had such luck in my present attempt as should scarcely raise my courage.’
‘You are too ingenious by far for me, Mr. O’Shea,’ said she carelessly. ‘I neither remember so well as you, nor have I that nice subtlety in detecting all the lapses each of us has made since long ago. Try, however, if you cannot get on better with Mademoiselle Kostalergi, where there are no antecedents to disturb you.’