Page:In the name of a woman (1900).djvu/319

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for a specific charge; and in this way prolonged the wrangle for many minutes.

He ordered me at length to be silent, under threat of packing me out of the room, and then he turned to the "Princess."

"I much regret, Princess, to have to put you to inconvenience, but my instructions are imperative. You will have to remain in this house for the night; but arrangements have been made for your personal comfort, and to-morrow General Kolfort's intention will be explained to you."

She made no reply other than to bow, as if in acquiescence.

"I must ask you to remove your disguise," he said next, just as I was hoping she would even then escape recognition. She made no attempt to comply with the request, and it was repeated in a sharper tone.

She turned to me as if to ask what to do, and, seeing the end had come, I broke in:

"This is another of your ridiculous proceedings," I said warmly. "Not only am I personally treated in this outrageous manner, but, because I am seen driving on the highway, you must needs conclude that the Princess Christina is with me. It is shameful."

"What do you mean, sir?" cried the officer hastily.

"Simply that this young lady is no more the Princess Christina than you are. You may as well draw your hood back to show the mistake," I added to Mademoiselle Broumoff, who did so then, to the complete consternation of all the three officers. I could have smiled at their utter bewilderment.

"Where is the Princess Christina?" asked the chief sternly.

"We are at least as anxious as you can be on that