But Nell laid her hand upon his arm. "Without looking at it?" she protested. "You are right," he agreed, and opened it and glanced at the contents. His hands were trembling slightly as he folded it again. "On second thought," he said, and there was a certain thickness in the words which Nell was too agitated to notice, "I believe that I shall keep it. It is the only souvenir I have, you know, of our first meeting." And he smiled up at her--such a smile as Meïamoun must have bent upon Cleopatra as he drained the poisoned cup. CHAPTER XIV A Bearding of the Lion Susie Rushford was of that temperament which, so far from avoiding difficulties, rather rushes to meet them, welcoming "each rebuff that turns earth's smoothness rough," to quote again from her favourite poet. So, when they reached the end of the promenade, it was she who commanded a change of partners and who took her place resolutely beside the invalid chair. Perhaps Lord Vernon scented danger, or it may be that he merely resented the change of companions: at any rate, as they started back, he contented himself with a dignified silence. But Sue was not to be so easily put off. "The Prince of Markeld has been telling me a few things about the succession," she began, resolutely. "You will pardon me, Lord Vernon, when I say I don't think you're treating him quite fairly." "I don't think so myself, Miss Rushford," returned the occupant of the chair, curtly. "His branch of the house seems to be really, in every way, the more deserving." "I haven't the least doubt of it." "And the one which the people of Schloshold-Markheim prefer." "That, too, is very probably the case. We threshed all that out yesterday, didn't we?" "Not so thoroughly as I should like to do," said Susie. "I've been thinking over the story you told me yesterday, and I believe I've guessed who the man with the pistol is." "I thought very probably you would guess." "Did you? Then you won't mind telling me if I've guessed rightly. It's the German Emperor, isn't it?" "It is." "Thank you. But I'm awfully obtuse, for I must confess that I haven't as yet been able to perceive the pistol." "Haven't you? I thought you'd guess that, too. I had forgotten that American women aren't interested in public events." "Now you're growing sarcastic!" cried Susie. "You see, I never before knew how interesting they were," she added, in self-defence. "I'm trying to turn over a new leaf--" "And you want my help?" "I always like to understand things. Even as a child I hated riddles. And I think, too, that nations ought to be like individuals--only more so--always ready, anxious even, to help their friends." "Even to the point of disregarding the pistol?" "You'll have to show me the pistol."