Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 83: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A CROWN His meaning was unmistakable. His beautiful satiny gold brown eyes smiled at me. While I collected my wits I was very panicky. Lord Maurice was so slow in all his ways, looks and words that it gave me the feeling he must take in more than people who were quicker and more alert. And I had seen so much of him lately. I realized that he had never spoken to Miss Fane in his life, and that gave me courage. But I didn’t dare disown that identity. The type into which I had transformed myself was too peculiar. The dull gold hair, the dark skin, my own black eyebrows and red lips. Lord Maurice himself had referred to it in speaking to the king about me—“ almost a grotesque type,” he had called Betty Fane, “Tm afraid I don’t exactly remember who I am speaking to,” I said in a slightly stilted and mincing accent and raising my voice to a slightly ‘higher key, and trusting to luck that I didn’t meet the king and Lord Maurice together. ‘“My name is Maurice Angell,” he an- swered promptly, and he regarded me with undoubted interest. ‘I don’t think we’ve actually met, but I saw you once or twice at the Flower Garden Club in London, and ¥ tried to get you to dance at a féte at my Sister’s, the Princess de Chanterelle.” “Oh, yes!” I said. ‘I was so sorry I couldn’t. I--I rather broke down just then ” “T trust you are perfectly recovered now.” “Oh, yes, thank you.” ‘“ Might I ask—are you here—profes- sionally?” ‘“No,” I answered, “not here. I am staying in the neighborhood for a few days. I came to the ball because I heard that De Vosca and Maria Solera will be here. It’s so good for one to watch these great peo- ple.” ‘“T’ll wager you won’t do*much watch- ing,’ he said. ‘And as to the ‘ great people,’ personally I think you could give the Solera a mile start and then beat her at the post. And as to looks, I dashed well know which filly I’d put my money on!” This was accompanied by a languishing FOR SALE. 713 look from his splendid eyes. I didn’t know whether I was more disgusted or amused. It was an experience to hear this lazy, hand- some, spendthrift Guardsman talk to a girl he didn’t know, belonging to a different walk in life. We were making our way into the fairy- like building. Lord Maurice made as if to pay for my ticket, but I would not allow him to. My one idea was to get rid of him and to lose myself in the crowd. I was per- fectly certain that if we stayed long enough together he would find me out. I quickly said that I must go and take my things off, “Do get in a dance or two with me be- fore your friend comes,”’ he said urgently. ‘“T don’t quite understand,” I answered, my heart beating like a drum. ‘‘ Have you forgotten your partner of the Flower Garden Club?” ‘Oh, no—certainly not. man ‘danced divinely.” ‘““T understand you were informed who he was?” “Ves,” I said. ** Did you know he was here?” ‘‘T had heard that he was staying not far away.” ‘He is coming here to-night, I happen to know. He will want to dance with you, (’m sure.” ‘“T shall be honored.” “Of course, you will not give his incog- nito away to anybody?” “Most certainly not. here, anyhow.” ‘“T suppose you have a good engagement at the moment? Are you at Cannes, or Mentone, or San Remo? I know you're not at Monte Carlo, because I should have seen you.” “T’m going back to England almost im- mediately,” IT answered. “I haven’t made any definite plans yet.” “Wise girl!” he said. His familiarity was not especially offensive, but it made me realize more than ever how difficult the the paths of the Betty Fanes of the world must be, and how warily they must tread them. ~ “Vou know how not to make yourself ECORMICLOO® That gentle- I know nobody S (S@)