Evening star., 1939-08-06
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE

her fingers TO my lips. f1el ehpieSSloh
was calm - her eyes were unfathom-
able. Yet somehow l had a feeling
that she was not wholly at ease.
She was not in the slightest degree
interested in me - she was watching
Trevvy in that hopelessly fascinated
way with which l was familiar; and
his own manner probably reproduced
that of his courtly but dangerous an
cestor, the Captain of the Black
Musketeers, when called upon to
assure the Queen of France that all
was we'll with the Louvre.
Il am thinking of our last meeting
in Paris, Princess" said Trevvy. Il
see that you are thinking of it, too.
You remember, that evening, how
disturbed M. Fabre was about the
Italian situation and how fortunately
l, in an accidental way, CHANGED to
have learned a piece of important
news. 1t was great moment
1T was great moment" Princess
Petrowska replied She had musical
voice. She was watching Trevvy as if
hypnotized.
You evidently have the good for
tune, sir" said young Air Service
officer, now detaching himself from
the group, Ito know Princess Petrow-
ska we'll. l have never had the good
luck to visit Paris, but she was telling
me tonight how much have missed"
Paris, in the company of the Prin-
cess" De Treville replied. would be
paradise, Lieutenant - err
Hinton" said the officer, grinning
cheerfully. Excuse informality, but
we have at least one mutual friend,
Colonel -"
According to the Army List" said
Trevvy, to whom such cheerful impu-
dence never failed to appeal, Il am
still plain Major - De Treville is
the name"
"And Princess Petrowska seems
determined to keep you to herself!'
But the Princess, silent, merely
continued to watch Trevvy.
II don't seem to remember. Marie,
came a voice from somewhere at my
elbow, "your mentioning Major De
Treville to me. and l am always glad
of
turned and looked at the broad,
red. smiling face of an American states
man whom l had already met, as:
"Major De Treville," said the Prin-
cess, in her monotonous voice. Il am
sure you will like Mr.. Homerton.
De Treville bowed, and smiled.
II hope the sentiment will be mu-
tual His reputation commends him,
and, personally, am disposed to like
him very much. But. frankly, seeing
you tonight has brought so many
pleasant memories to mind: Venice.
That's a long time ago - why, you
we're almost a child! The Prince was
alive then, and you were both very
happy in Venice. Do you remember"
Yes" the monotonous voice re-
pied. Il remember Always she
watched him. Others spoke to her,
but she did not seem to hear them;
and her tired voice, her expression,
made me wonder if he revived past
which she had preferred to forget.
There was perfect babel of conver-
sation about us. for the place was
thronged. | became part of the back
ground, not only to the Princess, but
TO everybody else. De Treville had
stolen the scene. He shared it alone
with the slender Russian. / thought
what wonderful pair they were, and
| wondered if at some time they had
been lovers; together, they could have
reached the highest which life had to
offer.
When presently General whose
name is known far beyond the from
tiers of the United States requested
her to meet friend who was anxious
to make her acquaintance. she left us
almost apologetically. In fact, l de-