She pouted her warm red lips. "Have you lost interest in it so soon?"
"Of course, I'll go any time you say," said I, lifelessly. "It will be a lark, at all events."
"Then we will go this very afternoon," she said, with enthusiasm.
My ridiculous heart gave a great leap. "This very afternoon," I said, managing my voice very well.
She arose. "Now I must scurry away. It would not do for Mr. Bangs to find me here with you. He would be shocked."
I walked beside her to the chair that stood below the portrait of Ludwig the Red, and took her hand to assist her in stepping upon it.
"I sincerely hope this chap you're going to marry, Countess, may be the best fellow in the world," said I, still clasping her hand.
She had one foot on the chair as she half-turned to face me.
"He is the best fellow in the world," she said.
I gulped. "I can't tell you how happy I shall be if you—if you find real happiness. You deserve happiness—and love."