I had thought it all over during the last thirty-six hours, and, as I jogged through the streets, I went over with it again—­and always with the same result:  I would enjoy it while it lasted.  Afterward—­well, afterward would be time enough when it came.  So I shrugged my shoulders and returned the salute of the officer at the gate and rode out into the open country.

I had gone, possibly, a mile when there came the beat of running hoofs behind me and rapidly nearing.  Thinking it might be a messenger from the Embassy I swung around in saddle—­only to find the front horse was ridden by a woman and the other by a groom.

My first thought was:  “The Princess!” my next:  “By Jove, she rides well!” Then something familiar in seat and figure struck me and I recognized Lady Helen Radnor.  Evidently she had already made me out, for she waved her crop and pulled down to a canter.  Here was an end to my solitary ride; I turned back to meet her.

“Why, Major Dalberg, what luck!” she cried.  “One might imagine we were in Washington again.”

“What need for Washington,” said I, “since we are here?”

“True!  It’s always the people that make the place,” she laughed.

“Then you like Dornlitz as well as Washington?”

“Yes, lately.”

“If I were at all conceited I would guess that ‘lately’ meant——­”

“Yes?” she asked.

“But as I’m not conceited I won’t guess.”

“I’m afraid it’s not quite the same, then, as in Washington!”

I made no reply.

“There, you would have been ready to believe I followed you intentionally.”

“Did you ever do that?” I asked.

She laughed.  “We are quits now.”

“Then I may ride with you?”

“Surely—­why do you think I overtook you?”

I bowed to my horse’s neck.  “I am flattered,” I said.

“You ought to be, sir.”

I looked at her quickly.  It was said, it seemed to me, a bit sharply; but she gave me only the usual mocking smile.

“Where shall we go?” I asked.

“You have no choice?”

“None—­all roads are alike delightful now.  Besides, you forget I came here only two days ago; this is my first ride since then.”

“Then, suppose we go out by the Forge and around by the hill road above the Palace?”

“You must be the guide,” I replied.

“Come along, then; we turn to the right here.”

“Only”——­I began.

“Oh!  I’ll have you back in time for breakfast,” she cut in.  “That was what you meant?”

“Your Ladyship is a mind reader.”

“Nonsense!  I’m human enough to have an appetite, too.”

“Perhaps there is an inn on the way,” I suggested. (There was none six years ago.)

She shook her head.  “There’s nothing to eat before Dornlitz, if we go that route.”

“Some day we must find one that has a breakfast on it,” said I.