“At our dilemma,” evaded Barney. “Have you paused to consider our situation?”
The girl smiled, too.
“It is most unconventional,” she said. “On foot and alone in the mountains, far from home, and we do not even know each other’s name.”
“Pardon me,” cried Barney, bowing low. “Permit me to introduce myself. I am,” and then to the spirits of Romance and Adventure was added a third, the spirit of Deviltry, “I am the mad king of Lutha.”
II.
OVER THE PRECIPICE
The effect of his words upon the girl were quite different from what he had expected. An American girl would have laughed, knowing that he but joked. This girl did not laugh. Instead her face went white, and she clutched her bosom with her two hands. Her brown eyes peered searchingly into the face of the man.
“Leopold!” she cried in a suppressed voice. “Oh, your majesty, thank God that you are free—and sane!”
Before he could prevent it the girl had seized his hand and pressed it to her lips.
Here was a pretty muddle! Barney Custer swore at himself inwardly for a boorish fool. What in the world had ever prompted him to speak those ridiculous words! And now how was he to unsay them without mortifying this beautiful girl who had just kissed his hand?
She would never forgive that—he was sure of it.