Had you ever seen the lady, you
would know if she were tall or short. You would not be in doubt upon so
important a matter as the stature of your lady-love."
The reasoning and the reasoner were so irresistible that Max was easily
satisfied.
"But you have spoken of the lady as in the past. I hope she is not
dead?" asked Yolanda.
"No," answered Max, gravely, "our fathers did not agree. That is, her
father was not satisfied, and it all came to nothing save a--a
heartache for me."
It was well that Max was looking at the ground when she turned the soft
radiance of her eyes upon him, else he might have learned too much. His
modesty and honesty in admitting frankly that the lady's father was not
satisfied with the match pleased her and she sat in silence, smiling
contentedly. After a time she turned almost fiercely upon him:--
"Do you know what I should do, Sir Max, were I in your place?"
"What would you do, Fraeulein?" queried Max.
"I would show the lady that I was worthy of her by winning her, even
though she were on a throne, guarded by a thousand dragons. I am a
woman, Sir Max, and I know a woman's heart. The heart of a princess is
first the heart of a woman. Be sure the lady will thank you and will
reward you if you fight your way to her and carry her off against all
the world."
"But how is that to be done, Fraeulein?" asked Max, carelessly. In truth,
Mary of Burgundy was not uppermost in his heart at that moment.
"That is for a man to say and for a man to do," she responded.
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