"Certainly. I, as well as your heroine, understand that no obstacles could check you if you loved her—neither political considerations, diplomatic exigencies, family prejudices, nor her own rank, no matter what it might be. Is not that true?"
Eager, enthusiastic, impersonally but warmly interested, she leaned a little toward him, intent on his reply.
He looked into the lovely, flushed face in silence for a while. Then:
"Yes," he said, "it is true. If I loved, nothing could check me except——" he shrugged.
"Death?" She nodded, fascinated.
He nodded. He had meant to say the police.
She said exultantly: "I knew it, Mr. Smith! I was certain that you are the living embodiment of your own heroes! The moment I set eyes on[96] you playing in the sand with your lead soldiers, I was sure of it!"
Thrilled, she considered him, her soft eyes brilliant with undisguised admiration.
"I wish I could actually see it!" she said under her breath.
"See what?"