"There is seldom fear where there is admiration. If you had used the
word awe, now----"

Soft laughter rippled over the fan. She had the most wonderful eyes.

"Are all Americans brave like yourself?" she next asked.

"Brave? What do you call brave?"

"Your utter lack of fear in my presence, in the first place: I am
called dangerous. And then, your exploits in the Balkistan, in the
second place. Are you not the M. Hillars whose bravery not so long ago
was an interesting topic in the newspapers? I know you."

"This is truly remarkable," said I. "The only thing I did was to lead
a regiment out of danger."

"The danger was annihilation. If a Captain or a Colonel had done it,
we should have thought nothing of it; but an utter stranger, who had
nothing in common with either cause--ah, believe me, it was a very
gallant thing to do."

"This is positively the first time I was ever glad that I did the
thing." I placed my hand over my heart. "But, after all, that is not
half so brave as what I am doing now."

"I do not understand," said she puzzled.

"Why, it is simple. Here I am talking to you, occupying your time and
keeping those fierce Generals at bay. See how they are gnawing their