She walked the length of the
room and back.
"Count, what do you think would be most satisfactory to her
Highness, under the circumstances?"
"I have yet to hear of her Highness' disapproval of anything you
undertake."
"Messieurs, your parole d'honneur, and the freedom of the
chateau is yours--within the sentry lines. I wish to make your
recollections of the Red Chateau rather pleasant than otherwise.
I shall be most happy if you will honor my table with your
presence."
The Colonel coughed, Maurice smoothed the back of his head, and
Fitzgerald caught up his monocle.
"My word, Madame," said Maurice, "is not worth much, being that
of a diplomat, but such as it is it is yours. However, my
clothes are scarcely presentable," which was true enough.
Several buttons were missing, and the collar hung by a thread.
"That can be easily remedied," said she. "There are several new
hussar uniforms in the armory."
"O, Madame, and you will permit me to wear one of those gay
uniforms of light blue and silver lace?"
The Colonel looked thoughtfully at Maurice. He was too much a
banterer himself to miss the undercurrent of raillery.
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