"Your Highness," said the Prince, mockery predominating his tones, "permit me to present to you an old friend."
Was it because her soul instinctively became conscious of my presence and nerved her for the ordeal, that she turned and smiled on me? The Prince appeared for a moment crestfallen. Perhaps the scene lacked a denouement. Oh, I was sure that implacable hate burned under that smile of his, just as I knew that beneath the rise and fall of Gretchen's bosom the steady fire of immutable love burned, burned as it burned in my own heart. It was a defeat for the Prince, a triumph for Gretchen and me. The greeting took but a moment. I stepped back, strong and hopeful. She loved me. I knew that her heart was singing the same joyous song as my own.
"Ah, here you are!" said a voice behind me, giving me an indescribable start. "I have been looking high and low for you. You have forgotten this dance."
It was Phyllis.
And then a sudden hush fell upon the circle. The two women stood face to face, looking with strange wonder into each other's eyes.
CHAPTER XIX
Phyllis and I were sitting in one of the numerous cozy corners. I had danced badly and out of time. The music and the babel of tongues had become murmurous and indistinct.
"And so that is the Princess Hildegarde?" she said, after a spell.
"Yes; she is your double. Is she not beautiful?"
"Is that a left-handed compliment to me?" Phyllis was smiling, but she was colorless.