'Ah, Governor,' she said, 'we have surprises for you, sir,' and
nodded at him meaningly.
'Eh, madam, leave me my prisoners,' he said; 'and if you will but
join the band, begad, I'll be happy for life.'
'You would spoil me, would you not?' she asked.
'I would try, I would try,' returned the Governor, and he offered
her his arm.
She took it, picked up her skirt, and drew him close to her. 'I
have come to see the Prince,' she said. 'Now, infidel! on business.
A message from that stupid Gondremark, who keeps me running like a
courier. Do I look like one, Herr Gordon?' And she planted her eyes
in him.
'You look like an angel, ma'am,' returned the Governor, with a great
air of finished gallantry.
The Countess laughed. 'An angel on horseback!' she said. 'Quick
work.'
'You came, you saw, you conquered,' flourished Gordon, in high good
humour with his own wit and grace. 'We toasted you, madam, in the
carriage, in an excellent good glass of wine; toasted you fathom
deep; the finest woman, with, begad, the finest eyes in Grunewald.
I never saw the like of them but once, in my own country, when I was
a young fool at College: Thomasina Haig her name was. I give you my
word of honour, she was as like you as two peas.'
'And so you were merry in the carriage?' asked the Countess,
gracefully dissembling a yawn.
'We were; we had a very pleasant conversation; but we took perhaps a
glass more than that fine fellow of a Prince has been accustomed
to,' said the Governor; 'and I observe this morning that he seems a
little off his mettle.
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