I have just left her Royal
Highness."
The prelate arched his eyebrows, and an interrogation shot out
from under them.
"Yes," answered the observant soldier. "My heart has ever been
hers; this time it is my hand and brain."
The prelate's egg spoon remained poised in mid-air; then it
dropped with a clatter into the cup! But a moment gone he had
held a sword in his hand; he was disarmed.
"I have promised to stand and fall with her."
"Stand and fall? Why not 'or'?" with a long, steadfast gaze.
"Did I say 'and'? Well, then," stolidly, "perhaps that is the
word I meant to use. If I do the one I shall certainly do the
other."
The archbishop absently stirred his eggs.
"God is witness," said the Marshal, "I have always been honest."
"Yes."
"And neutral."
"Yes; honest and neutral."
"But a man, a lonely man like myself, can not always master the
impulses of the heart; and I have surrendered to mine."
The listener turned to some documents which lay beside the cup,
and idly fingered them. "I am glad; I am very glad. I have
always secretly admired you; and to tell the truth, I have
feared you most of all--because you are honest.
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