`` I knew it ! '' said Helen , with a flash of triumph in her eyes . `` He is the baron , and no Pole . You Germans love masquerades and jokes . This is one , but I must spoil it before it is played out . '' `` Pardon ; mademoiselle is keen , but in this she is mistaken . Casimer is not the baron ; he did fight for Poland , and his name is known and honored there . Of this I solemnly assure you . '' She stood up and looked him straight in the face . He met her eye to eye , and never wavered till her own fell . She mused a few minutes , entirely forgetful of herself in her eagerness to solve the mystery . Hoffman stood so near that her dress touched him , and the wind blew her scarf against his hand ; and as she thought he watched her while his eyes kindled , his color rose , and once he opened his lips to speak , but she moved at the instant , and exclaimed , -- `` I have it ! '' `` Now for it , '' he muttered , as if preparing for some new surprise or attack . `` When uncle used to talk about the Polish revolution , there was , I remember a gallant young Pole who did something brave . The name just flashed on me , and it clears up my doubts . Stanislas Prakora -- 'S . P. ' -- and Casimer is the man . '' Helen spoke with an eager , bright face , as if sure of the truth now ; but , to her surprise , Hoffman laughed , a short , irrepressible laugh , full of hearty but brief merriment . He sobered in a breath , and with an entire change of countenance said , in an embarrassed tone , -- `` Pardon my rudeness ; mademoiselle 's acuteness threw me off my guard . I can say nothing till released from my promise ; but mademoiselle may rest assured that Casimer Teblinski is as good and brave a man as Stanislas Prakora . ''
Helen 's eyes sparkled , for in this reluctant reply she read confirmation of her suspicion , and XXXXX that Amy would rejoice to learn that her lover was a hero .
blew fight knew love mused preparing sobered solve thought wavered