Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson

“ The prince's nervousness was increasing, but he strove to hide it. “Ah, must an old man's follies be exposed?” he said, with an attempt at plaintiveness. “I had hoped—but there—you force the confession—I have sent it away. Spare me, and do not ask to whom.”
“It isn't true!” Her voice cut like steel.
“I beg your mercy—spare an old man's infatuation.”
“Spare yourself!” contemptuously retorted Nancy, who was now thoroughly roused. “If you had sent it away, you would not have asked me to wear it just now. You are not a man who forgets. Victor took it away! ”

“ But Nancy did not notice that little touch. It was all very real to her. She was wonderfully ingenuous for a woman of the world. In spite of all that she had been through, all the disillusion that had been forced upon her, she still retained much of the guilelessness of her girlhood—the bloom had not yet been rubbed off; perhaps it never would be. And now she really believed in the single-heartedness of Albert De Raimbault's protestations, and was almost as ready to accept his offer of assistance as she would have that of one of her former American friends. ”

“ Hardy nodded. He saw the point. Much as he detested the selfish old man, he could not but admire his shrewdness.
“An advantage we would be foolish to forego, and all so simple,” went on the prince. “The good old uncle of this fairy story has merely to slip himself into an unnoticed compartment of the train—a bizarre but amusing outing!”
“And the law is the same in all the countries over here, is it?”
“Your own is virtually the only exception. America is too young, I fear, to have learned wisdom in such a matter. But to America, of course, she cannot go. ”

“ It was the half hour just before dinner, and Victor De Savergne, entering the library of the château, found the Marquise De Montfort sitting alone in the glow of the burning logs before the fireplace. He gave a quick glance around to assure himself that no one else was in the room and then came rapidly toward her.
“Renée, Renée, you wonderful woman!” he said in a voice husky with genuine emotion. “You not only make men love you but women obey you.” ”

“ Nancy looked the genuine surprise she felt. “But I never did meet him until yesterday,” she protested.
Baxter whipped off the oilcloth and showed the portrait, which with Hardy had been a labor of love. “Then how did he do that?” he cried in triumphant refutation of her words. “It's the best likeness of you I ever saw.”
Nancy looked and started, then her gaze flew to Hardy, but only for a second. Menga's words flashed before her: “He has painted a picture of some one he love!” There was a momentary blurring of her vision. ”

“ Hardy wondered, with considerable curiosity, what was to come next.
“My dear sir,” began the prince, fixing his ferretlike, beady eyes upon the other's face, “there need be no more little lost dogs between us two. I know that you are acquainted with all these disagreeable absurdities which have taken place here. I comprehend how you regard them. By your action the other night, when you prevented a very foolish woman from doing a very foolish thing, I saw that you understood our point of view and sympathized with it. It is a relief to meet an intelligent man to whom one can speak freely. ”

“ Why didn't you do it?”
“I have just called you a man of the world,” returned De Raimbault disgustedly, raging at the delay. “It seems I was mistaken. How could I get those two from the château?”
“Didn't you tell her you would?”
“Monsieur, I shall go desperate to explain. Even if you are an American, have you no comprehension what one would promise a pretty woman who leaves her husband? Look at me again! Think of such a man in such an affair, with a Swiss nurse and a baby boy to his coat tails. All France would laugh when it hears the story; it would take a god to survive the ridicule. ”

“ Nancy tried to smile.
“No, never.”
Baxter turned to the prince, who had been silently contemplating the scene through half-closed eyes.
“Why, prince, look at her! I leave it to you. She looks all run down.”
“Our dear child is in the best of health, I think,” replied the prince, at the same time bending upon the young woman a look of peculiar scrutiny.
She returned his gaze with one, half of fear, half of defiance. Then: “Of course, I am,” she said, with a sudden assumption of gayety.
Her father shook his head. Before he could say anything further, however, Renée De Montfort intervened. ”

“ Nancy paid no attention to them. All fear had left her. She was a woman, roused by her wrongs, stung by insults—a woman resolute and determined. Facing the prince with raised head and erect form, her blazing eyes fixed steadfastly upon his, she poured forth a cascade of words, but each one clear-cut and distinct.
“This is the end of my senseless alliance! Oh, but the snobs are right to call these things alliances—not marriages! Do you think a girl with American blood could ever be happy with a man she knows would not have married her if she hadn't paid him to do it? ”

“ The marquise smiled indulgently.
“I love you too much to give you any other,” she replied softly, and then, with well-concealed relief as De Raimbault at that moment entered the room: “But see, here is that poor Albert longing for a word from you. Give him one smile and make him happy.”
She kissed Nancy and glided away with that sinuous movement peculiar to her, and which her friends compared to the walk of a sylph and her enemies to that of a panther.
Left alone with the countess, Albert De Raimbault came quickly forward to her side. There was a certain suppressed excitement in his manner. ”

“ Below in the valley, peeping through the foliage, she could see the red roof of the tower where the artist had set up his studio. Drawing a low chair to the parapet, she sat down in it, and, fixing her eye on the bright spot of color, gave herself up to reviewing the occurrences of the night before. Persistently, one figure obtruded itself upon her mental vision. How kind, how chivalrous he had been, how thoughtful of her in every way! What a contrast to the men by whom she was now surrounded. Ah, there was nothing like an American gentleman, after all! ”

“ And so they were married; and Nancy, fresh, unspoiled, full of roseate visions of the future, returned with her husband to take up her residence in France, and to rehabilitate the fallen fortunes of the great family. This latter was done even to the satisfaction of the critical and exacting prince, for the dowry presented to Ira J. Baxter's only child had been almost royal in its magnificence. The château was restored to its former glory, and the impoverished acres made to blossom luxuriantly. ”

“ So could that arch-fiend have smiled at his triumph over Marguerite!
“Then we shall detach a lamp from the automobile,” the prince announced, with a sort of elegant burlesque, addressing Hardy. “From your window you shall see this will-o'-the-wisp staggering through the darkness, a sacred flame borne by a humble and romantic devotee of the goddess Caprice.” He bowed to Nancy, who looked at him with pathetic indecision. “Let us be upon our pilgrimage. Since I must follow, I await your leading. We have the whole delectable night before us.”
Nancy's eyes fell before his. ”

“ It was Nancy's voice in the next room,
With a little gasp of horror, Renée wrenched herself from Victor's embrace.
“She saw us!”
“No, no, no!”
“Ah, we do not know what she saw,” panting with alarm.
“She saw nothing, I tell you. You must control yourself,” he said sharply. “The people for dinner will be here. You must be calm, I say.”
Again Nancy's voice was heard, close to the open portières which hung between the two rooms. “Don't keep him out too long, Menga.”
“Mon Dieu!” gasped the marquise, glancing about like a hunted creature at bay. “I know I have become pale. ”

“ I can't talk to the phonograph, can I? And you certainly understand I've got to talk about her to somebody. The lady on the easel, Celestine, the fair unknown, you comprehend, is she, the one mysterious, well-beloved she. You think there are only three of us in this eccentric family, you and the phonograph and I; but you're wrong. There are four; and the fourth, who has never been here, is the most here of us all. ”

“ Baxter always said it was the best for Nancy, and I guess she knows.”
But if her liege lord was not enjoying himself, Mrs. Baxter certainly was. Snugly ensconced in a most comfortable chair with a real live prince to attend to her wants, what more could mortal woman desire? And the prince certainly could not have been more charming. The head of the De Savergne family possessed both a courtesy and a tact which were beyond reproach, What if a Lavater would have pronounced the prince, in spite of all his noble blood, a gentleman by effort rather than by instinct? ”

“ Where are those two generals?”
“The prince sent for Chabrol and the servants,” explained Hardy, his eyes fixed avidly upon Nancy. “The guard is withdrawn.”
“It's a providence,” cried Nancy excitedly, “clearing the coast himself just at this moment—just when we needed them out of the way! There's nothing to fear now. Our enemy himself has saved us. Go, Menga!”
The woman started to obey, but halted uncertainly at the unexpected appearance of the prince and Chabrol, both in hats and light overcoats. ”

“ Her lips curled in a bitter smile. “I might have known he would try to cover it with ridicule,” she said in a low, monotonous tone, as though speaking to herself.
Hardy was far from being a fool, and he saw that there was some mystery here. But as he gazed at the startled, exquisite face before him, the face of his lady of dreams, he then and there devoted himself to her service, and if she were in trouble he would help and defend her with all that there was in him of physical and mental strength. ”

“ He gazed after her, as she disappeared through the door of the château, a smoldering fire in his eyes, his whole soul up in arms, his whole heart crying out for the possession of this one woman in all the world.
Baxter came back from the parapet.
“Where's Nancy? Oh, gone to make preparations, I suppose. And I must do the same. I'll be back shortly.” He held out his hand to Hardy. “I guess there ain't any need of saying thank you.”
“No,” said Hardy simply.
As Baxter turned to enter the château, he came face to face with the Prince De Savergne. ”

“ I've hurt you,” cried Nancy, filled with sudden remorse; and, running across the room, she knelt down by the sofa, throwing her arms about the recumbent figure.
Renée raised her head. “We have all the same pain,” she murmured, half sobbing.
“Indeed, indeed, I'm sorry,” said Nancy quickly and anxiously, “Oh, do forgive me! You know nothing in the world would make me hurt you. Please, Renée!”
The marquise hesitated a moment, and then said slowly: “But you hate those others. For me it is nothing, but I think of them, and I—I——” Sobs stopped her utterance.
Nancy rose unsteadily to her feet. ”

“ All Americans are insane; they talk to themselves, eh? Vanish, pessimist!” For Celestine had finished her work, and, with many a shake of her gray, white-capped head, was retreating to the kitchen.
Hardy went to the settle by the fire, and stretched himself out comfortably, puffing at his pipe and listening to the phonograph. ”

“ Then the estate, château and all, had been mortgaged to the last cent, and there was barely enough to provide a meager living for the elderly Prince De Savergne, his sister, the Duchesse De St. Maur, and her son, Comte Victor De Savergne, who were the only surviving members of the family. Then, as at the wave of a fairy's wand, the transformation took place. Comte Victor went to America, on the usual errand of penniless European aristocrats, and Dame Fortune was propitious. He met there a Miss Nancy Baxter, the youthful and charming daughter of Ira J. Baxter, a multimillionaire. ”

“ There is no escape. I cannot neglect my estate. Business is business, as you say in America. You will excuse me while I give some orders.” He looked at his watch. “My train goes at once.”
As soon as he had gone, Mrs. Baxter turned toward her husband. They were alone; for the marquise, with an imperious wave of her fan, had summoned the prince to her side, and Albert De Raimbault was idly poking at the scraps of thé telegram with the toe of his pointed patent-leather shoe.
“To Paris, did you hear?” said she. “He's not going to Fontenay, after all. That shows how foolish Nancy is.” ”

“ Hardy pointed to the door of the sleeping room. “Wait in there. If it's he, I'll get rid of him.”
She quickly obeyed; while Hardy threw off his hat and coat and set the lantern down on an old-fashioned carved oak chest. Then he opened the door and admitted the dripping figure of Albert De Raimbault, who entered breathlessly.
“Monsieur,” De Raimbault began without preamble, “you are the American who has hired the Tour De Savergne, aren't you? I must ask you if you have seen a lady, also American, who might have got herself lost in these woods,”
“Yes, perhaps,” replied Hardy coldly. ”

“ It was like a bolt from the blue—such poetic justice, such dramatic retribution, that he could scarcely believe it to be true. Suddenly he began to laugh, uproariously, uncontrollably, like a drunken man.
De Raimbault stared at him in dumb amazement. What a way to take the news of an appalling tragedy! Oh, these foreigners! ”

“ The marquise pressed her two white hands to her bosom. “That you are hurting them here where they suffer.”
“In their vanity,” sneered Nancy.
“No, in their hearts. All of them suffer there.”
Nancy made a movement of incredulity.
“The prince—you say he suffers in his heart?”
“Bitterly.”
“I've heard him do nothing but mock.”
“Mockery—that is the bandage he binds upon his wounds. You think we are cold and hard to you here. Ah, no! It is only our way to hide the great hurt to our hearts.” There was a note of pleading in the really beautiful tones of her voice. “You are gentle. ”

“ As a countess of the old nobility, my daughter's position will be assured not only in New York and Newport, but at every court in Europe.” And when I see the charm and distinction of the people who now surround Nancy——”
“Oh, madame!” smilingly protested the marquise.
But Mrs. Baxter proceeded earnestly:
“I say that it is no wonder our American girls have ambition for themselves, or that their mothers have the fine feeling for them that they do—no wonder that they marry abroad into something higher and better than they can get at home! ”

“ Do you think she stays at that wretched little hotel, Celestine?”
From the rising inflection of his voice the old peasant knew that he had asked a question, but she could only ejaculate an impotent “Monsieur!” with the same hopeless shrug and smile.
Hardy laughed gleefully. “Evidently you do not wish to commit yourself! Yes, they'd call it a 'haunting face' in the storiettes. Ah, my dear,” with a long sigh, “you've haunted me! It's rather a ghostly love affair of mine, isn't it, Celestine? ”

“ CHAPTER III. Matrimonial interviews were scarcely to Victor De Savergne's taste, but he could not repress a thrill of admiration as he entered the library that night after dinner, and saw the young countess standing alone before the fireplace. Whatever her origin may have been, she was a woman who, with her brilliant dark beauty and graceful carriage, was, to all outward appearances, at least, worthy to bear the ancient name which was now hers by marriage. ”

“ The prince, who had gone to America for his nephew's wedding, knew them at once. They were the parents of the young countess, Mr. and Mrs. Ira J. Baxter. More annoyance! For the prince was not quite sure what their attitude would be toward their daughter's senseless and fancied grievance. Moreover, they had not been expected until to-morrow. Another American idiosyncrasy to arrive ahead of time! Well, he must make the best of it; and, with a shrug of his shoulders, he turned and entered the château. There need be no hurry in welcoming these intruders. ”

“ Baxter will lower the window on the far side of your compartment, open the door, and you will all step out; while I remain on the footboard, completely blocking the view from the platform as I lean in to say my adieus—in case Chabrol, at the last instant, should be sent down the platform to make assurance doubly sure. You have only to cross the track and pass through the waiting room on the other platform to your automobile, which is standing there. The prince will be on the way to Brussels, on an express that makes no stops. ”

“ That child cannot take one step without his father's consent. Why, even this woman,” indicating Menga, “knows that much. Take him to bed!” he ended sharply.
As Menga submissively took the little boy's hand and led him away, Nancy, with her eyes fixed on the prince's saturnine face, said between her teeth: “You think I'm alone. You think I have no one to help me. All right, but you won't beat me.”
Up to this point the Baxters had taken no part in the discussion, but had listened to every word; Mrs. Baxter, with dismay; Mr. Baxter, with ever-increasing anger. ”

“ He offered his arm.
“And his arm to lean upon.”
“I do not need your help,” said Nancy, starting to pass him.
But he deftly prevented her. “I am going with you.”
“I do not mean to use your car,” she cried angrily.
“What!” he laughed. “On foot again? And I with my rheumatism!”
“I told you I am not going with you!”
The prince smiled urbanely.
“The men of my family have always been the slaves of woman. My young friend,” to Hardy, “can you spare a lantern?”
“My servant has taken it,” replied Hardy. “I sent her on an errand.” ”

“ At this moment Albert De Raimbault, who had been gazing fixedly at the largest fragment of the torn telegram, which he had detached from the others with his shoe, suddenly picked it up, rose to his feet, and advancing to the Baxter family, with an enigmatical smile extended it to Nancy. ”

“ Hardy was silent for a moment, and then he turned to her resolutely, an odd look in his blue eyes.
“Menga, I want to find out something. There's a lovely lady who drives and rides in this neighborhood, usually on the loneliest roads; and I want to know who she is. She's an American——”
“The lady I work for here, the Comtesse De Savergne,” interposed Menga, “she is American.” ”

“ Not what we mean by a scandal. It's not a scandal to them for a husband to be a man of 'gallantry,' but it is a scandal for his wife to refuse to bear the common lot of wives—of their wives. So they taught me that, even in the shock of discovering my husband's gallantry, I must make no outcry that could he heard. They taught me that rule pretty thoroughly, you see, and I've borne the common lot pretty thoroughly, too. Victor's most permanent fancy has lasted now more than a year.”
Mrs, Baxter made a gesture of protest, as if not wishing to listen ”

“ Young people are very careless, but when we grow older we pay for the cold and wet of our youth.”
He opened the door, and, lifting the candle, peered around the bedroom. Then he returned and replaced the candle on the mantelpiece.
“It seems you have done wonders. It is, as you say, quite dry. Ah, what childhood games we played here so long ago, in these three rooms of the old tower! If I do not forget, that is the only other door?” indicating the third exit from the apartment.
“Yes,” agreed Hardy, a little stiffly. “I made a kitchen of that.”
“Ah, that is droll,” laughed the prince. ”

“ I'm an artist, you know. The tower belongs to this estate, by the way to the Prince De Savergne.”
At the mention of this name, Mrs. Baxter beamed.
“The prince is my daughter's uncle by marriage,” she deigned to inform him expansively. “Isn't he the most charming man?”
“I've no doubt,” replied the artist vaguely. “I haven't met him.”
“Oh, you dealt with an agent, of course?” And then, as Hardy nodded: “I can't imagine the dear prince coming down to details of business.”
At this Baxter gave a slight start of surprise.
“You can't?” he cried. “Details of business! ”

“ He glanced toward the bedroom as if in doubt; then he turned resolutely to his desk, scribbled a note, and directed it to “Mr. or Mrs. Baxter.” This done, he went to the kitchen, summoned Celestine, and explaining to her, not without compunction, the necessity of some one taking the note to the château, dispatched her on the errand.
As soon as he had seen Celestine off, well muffled up against the weather, and bearing the old-fashioned lantern, Hardy crossed to the bedroom door, and knocked softly.
The countess appeared immediately. “It was the prince?” she cried anxiously. ”

“ Nancy said nothing. She realized that it would be futile to persist. She must stand alone in whatever course she should decide to pursue. With a long sigh, that went at least to her father's heart, she turned slowly and passed into the château. ”

“ But I've got to pretend to be to keep from hurting so many people. I'm just a commonplace American girl on the wrong road. I'm just Nancy Baxter.”
“Nancy Baxter,” he repeated. “That sounds like home, doesn't it?”
She leaned toward him with eager eyes. “Oh, please say it again! I never thought I'd have a chance to hear a good American call me Nancy Baxter as long as I live. ”

“ Baxter in gleeful maternal pride. Then she added more gravely: “Really, there doesn't seem to be any flaw in Nancy's existence, does there?”
The prince was silent for a moment.
“Nothing—nothing that is serious,” he said, at last, still smiling his inscrutable smile. “Or perhaps one little——” He shrugged his shoulders slightly, but expressively. “But it is merely—the young married woman must always find some tiny annoyance. As she grows older, she sees it is nothing, nothing at all; and as time passes she learns it is to be taken with a smile. ”