Confessions and Concessions

"I am not jesting," she half whispered, turning very cold. "Have you
thought all along that I am the princess--that I am Grenfall Lorry's
wife?"

"You told me that you were the princess."

"But I've never said that I was--was anyone's wife."

There was a piteous appeal in her voice and he was not slow to notice it
and rejoice. Then his heart smote him.

"But what is to become of me if you are not the princess?" he asked
after a long pause. "I can no longer serve you. This is my last day in
the castle guard."

"You are to go on serving me--I mean you are to retain your place in the
service," she hastened to say. "I shall keep my promise to you." How
small and humble she was beginning to feel. It did not seem so
entertaining, after all, this pretty deception of hers. Down in his
heart, underneath the gallant exterior, what was his opinion of her?
Something was stinging her eyes fiercely, and she closed them to keep
back the tears of mortification.

"Miss Calhoun," he said, his manner changing swiftly, "I have felt from
the first that you are not the princess of Graustark. I knew it
an hour after I entered Edelweiss. Franz gave me a note at Ganlook, but
I did not read it until I was a member of the guard."

"You have known it so long?" she cried joyously. "And you have trusted
me? You have not hated me for deceiving you?"