"Well, does monsieur accept the adventure or does he politely decline?"
There was a subtle taunt in her tones. That decided me.

"Your Highness, I should be happy to meet a thousand Uhlans to do you
service. What you ask me to do is quite simple." I knew that I should
lose my head in case of failure. I rose and bowed as unconcernedly as
though she had but asked me to join her with a cup of tea.

"Ah, monsieur, you are a man!" And she laughed softly as she saw me
throw back my shoulders. There was unmistakable admiration in her
eyes. "And yet," with a sudden frown, "there will be danger. You may
slip; you may become injured. Yes, there is danger."

"Your Highness," said I lowly, compelling her eyes to meet mine, "it is
not the danger of the adventure or its results that I most fear." I
was honest enough to make my meaning clear.

She blushed. "I said that I trusted monsieur's honor," was her
rejoinder. "Come," with a return of her imperiousness; "it is time
that we were gone!" She drew on her cloak and dropped the veil. "I
might add," she said, "that we will remain in France one hour. From
there you may go your way, and I shall go secretly to my palace."

And the glamour fell away like the last leaves of the year.

I had to wake up the driver, who had fallen asleep.

"Where shall I say?" I asked.

"To your hotel. I shall give the driver the remaining instructions."