CHAPTER XX.
THE FIRST RIDE TOGETHER My mistress bent that brow of hers; Those deep dark eyes where pride demurs When pity would be softening through, Fixed me a breathing-while or two With life or death in the balance: right! The blood replenished me again; My last thought was at least not vain: I and my mistress, side by side Shall be together, breathe and ride, So, one day more am I deified.
Who knows but the world may end to-night?
-- R.

Browning.
"We shall be leaving soon," said Armitage, half to himself and partly to Oscar.

"It is not safe to wait much longer." He tossed a copy of the _Neue Freie Presse_ on the table.

Oscar had been down to the Springs to explore, and brought back news, gained from the stablemen at the hotel, that Chauvenet had left the hotel, presumably for Washington.

It was now Wednesday in the third week in April.
"Oscar, you were a clever boy and knew more than you were told.