"It is too dim to read it here." Without a word he armed the paper toher and called the chair bearers, to whom he gave instructions thatbrought her speedily beneath one of the park lamps. She afterwardsrecalled the guilty impulse which forced her to sit on the tell-talenote while the men were carrying her along in the driveway. When it wasquite safe she slyly opened the missive. His arm closed over hers, andthe note, and he bent close once more.

"My only fear is that the test will make it impossible for me to kissyour arm again," said he in a strained voice. She looked up insurprise.

"Then it is really something disloyal?"

"I have called it a test, your highness," he responded enigmatically.

"Well, we'll see," she exclaimed, and forthwith turned her eyes to theall-important paper. A quick flush crossed her brow; her eyes blinkedhopelessly. The note was written in the Graustark language!

"I'll read it later, Baldos. This is no place for me to be readingnotes, don't you know? Really, it isn't. I'll give it back to youto-morrow," she was in haste to say.

An inscrutable smile came over his face.

"Ravone's information is correct, I am now convinced," he exclaimedslowly. "Pray, your highness, glance over it now, that I may destroy itat once," he persisted.

"The light isn't good."

"It seems excellent."