-chevalier all in one.

She drew closer to him, took the blue lapels of his military coat in her
white hands, and looked pathetically up into his beautiful face. If ever
she wanted to kiss a man, she surely wanted to kiss Koenigsmark in that
moment, but as she might have kissed a loving brother, in token of her
deep gratitude for his devotion to her who had known so little true
devotion.

"If you knew," she said, "what balsam this proof of your friendship has
poured upon the wounds of my soul, you would understand my utter lack of
words in which to thank you. You dumbfound me, my friend; I can find no
expression for my gratitude."

"I ask no gratitude," quoth he. "I am all gratitude myself that you
should have come to me in the hour of your need. I but ask your leave to
serve you in my own way."

She shook her head. She saw his blue eyes grow troubled.

He was about to speak, to protest, but she hurried on. "Serve me if you
will--God knows I need the service of a loyal friend--but serve me as I
shall myself decide--no other way."

"But what alternative service can exist?" he asked, almost impatiently.

"I have it in mind to escape from this horrible place--to quit Hanover,
never to return."

"But to go whither?"

"Does it matter? Anywhere away from this hateful court, and this hateful
life; anywhere, since my father will not let me find shelter at Zell,
as I had hoped. Had it not been for the thought of my children, I
should have fled long ago. For the sake of those two little ones I have
suffered patiently through all these years. But the limit of endurance
has been reached and passed. Take me away. Koenigsmark!" She was
clutching his lapels again. "If you would really serve me, help me to
escape."

His hands descended upon hers, and held them prisoned against his
breast. A flush crept into his fair cheeks, there was a sudden kindling
of the eyes that looked down into her own piteous ones. These sensitive,
romantic natures are quickly stirred to passion, ever ready to yield to
the adventure of it.

"My princess," he said, "you may count upon your Koenigsmark while he has
life." Disengaging her hands from his lapels, but still holding them, he
bowed low over them, so low that his heavy golden mane tumbled forward
on either side of his handsome head to form a screen under cover of
which he pressed his lips upon her fingers.

She let him have his will with her hands. It was little enough reward
for so much