Everything should be done in order. Not a
word must be hinted by the most watchful neighbour against the
perfect propriety of their betrothal.
Desiree laughed and said that he was progressing rather rapidly.
She had only her instinct to guide her through these troubled
waters; which was much better than experience. Experience in a
woman is tantamount to a previous conviction against a prisoner.
Charles was grave, however; a rare tribute. He was in love for the
first time, which often makes men quite honest for a brief period--
even unselfish. Of course, some men are honest and unselfish all
their lives; which perhaps means that they remain in love--for the
first time--all their lives. They are rare, of course. But the
sort of woman with whom it is possible to remain in love all through
a lifetime is rarer.
So Charles waylaid Antoine Sebastian the next day as he went out of
the Frauenthor for his walk in the morning sun by the side of the
frozen Mottlau. He was better received than he had any reason to
expect.
"I am only a lieutenant," he said, "but in these days, monsieur, you
know--there are possibilities."
He laughed gaily as he waved his gloves in the direction of Russia,
across the river. But Sebastian's face clouded, and Charles, who
was quick and sympathetic, abandoned that point in his argument
almost before the words were out of his lips.
"I have a little money," he said, "in addition to my pay.
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