Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson

“ 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.” ”

“ Hardy's eyebrows came together in a threatening frown as he said slowly and determinedly: “I'm going to have my curiosity satisfied before I tell you which way she went.”
The viscount threw out his hands in despair at this obstinacy. “Good heavens! We've no time! You are a man of the world; you should perceive. You see me, and you have seen a lady who is looking for me. Already there is pursuit. I have had to hide my carriage in the trees from an automobile which passed me on the search.”
“But she told you to bring the nurse and the little boy. ”

“ 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. ”

“ And then, gently satirical, he proceeded to quote the prince: “You're the happiest woman in the world, though a roadside painter, catching a glimpse of you, mightn't have thought so. Ah, yes—and when you look most troubled you are planning a game of tennis. Also, you have, perhaps, too much of that good characteristic of our good race—self-reliance—and are too likely to act for yourself. ”

“ Startled, she looked at him with a quick, questioning glance; then parried his thrust by a counterquestion.
“Wouldn't that seem a little foolish to yourself—a man I'd never seen before acting as my protector against the one true friend who has shown real devotion for me? Ah!” as he made no reply. “Why should you have interfered?”
“Just because I am your protector for the moment against that one true friend and your own mistake,” he said earnestly,
She felt a qualm at her heart. This young man had an honest face, he was her own countryman, and—yes, she liked and trusted him. ”

“ Were a little boy and a nurse with him in the carriage?”
It was Hardy's turn to be puzzled, but he answered seriously:
“No, he was alone in an automobile, and I think he was rather alarmed about you—and your dog.”
Her eyes widened. “In an automobile? Alone? ”