54-40 or Fight | Page 8

side. The driver pushed shut the door,

and whipped up his team.
Personally I am gifted with but small imagination. In a very matter of
fact way I had got into this carriage with a strange lady. Now in a sober
and matter of fact way it appeared to me my duty to find out the reason
for this singular situation.
"Madam," I remarked to my companion, "in what manner can I be of
service to you this evening?"
I made no attempt to explain who I was, or to ask who or what she
herself was, for I had no doubt that our interview soon would be
terminated.
"I am fortunate that you are a gentleman," she said, in a low and soft
voice, quite distinct, quite musical in quality, and marked with just the
faintest trace of some foreign accent, although her English was perfect.
I looked again at her. Yes, her hair was dark; that was sure. It swept up
in a great roll above her oval brow. Her eyes, too, must be dark, I
confirmed. Yes--as a passed lamp gave me aid--there were strong dark
brows above them. Her nose, too, was patrician; her chin curving just
strongly enough, but not too full, and faintly cleft, a sign of power, they
say.
A third gracious lamp gave me a glimpse of her figure, huddled back
among her draperies, and I guessed her to be about of medium height.
A fourth lamp showed me her hands, small, firm, white; also I could
catch a glimpse of her arm, as it lay outstretched, her fingers clasping a
fan. So I knew her arms were round and taper, hence all her limbs and
figure finely molded, because nature does not do such things by halves,
and makes no bungles in her symmetry of contour when she plans a
noble specimen of humanity. Here was a noble specimen of what
woman may be.
On the whole, as I must confess, I sighed rather comfortably at the fifth
street lamp; for, if my chief must intrust to me adventures of a dark
night--adventures leading to closed carriages and strange

companions--I had far liefer it should be some such woman as this. I
was not in such a hurry to ask again how I might be of service. In fact,
being somewhat surprised and somewhat pleased, I remained silent
now for a time, and let matters adjust themselves; which is not a bad
course for any one similarly engaged.
She turned toward me at last, deliberately, her fan against her lips,
studying me. And I did as much, taking such advantage as I could of
the passing street lamps. Then, all at once, without warning or apology,
she smiled, showing very even and white teeth.
She smiled. There came to me from the purple-colored shadows some
sort of deep perfume, strange to me. I frown at the description of such
things and such emotions, but I swear that as I sat there, a stranger, not
four minutes in companionship with this other stranger, I felt swim up
around me some sort of amber shadow, edged with purple--the shadow,
as I figured it then, being this perfume, curious and alluring!
It was wet, there in the street. Why should I rebel at this stealing charm
of color or fragrance--let those name it better who can. At least I sat,
smiling to myself in my purple-amber shadow, now in no very special
hurry. And now again she smiled, thoughtfully, rather approving my
own silence, as I guessed; perhaps because it showed no unmanly
perturbation--my lack of imagination passing for aplomb.
At last I could not, in politeness, keep this up further.
"How may I serve the Baroness?" said I.
She started back on the seat as far as she could go.
"How did you know?" she asked. "And who are you?"
I laughed. "I did not know, and did not guess until almost as I began to
speak; but if it comes to that, I might say I am simply an humble
gentleman of Washington here. I might be privileged to peep in at
ambassadors' balls--through the windows, at least."

"But you were not there--you did not see me? I never saw you in my
life until this very moment--how, then, do you know me? Speak! At
once!" Her satins rustled. I knew she was tapping a foot on the carriage
floor.
"Madam," I answered, laughing at her; "by this amber purple shadow,
with flecks of scarlet and pink; by this perfume which weaves webs for
me here in this carriage, I know you. The light is poor, but it is good
enough to show one who can be no one else but the Baroness von
Ritz."
I was in the mood to spice an adventure which