"
"I've never heard anything to remind me of the past until this alluring
beauty's insinuations of a moment ago. That is why it hit me so hard,
Mr. Harleston. And why did she do it? Is she jealous of you, or of me,
or what?"
"She's not jealous of me!" he laughed. "I know her history; it's
something of a history, too.... Sometime I'll tell you all about it;
it's an interesting tale. Is it possible you've never heard in Paris of
Madeline Spencer?"
"Never!"
"Nor of the Duchess of Lotzen?"
"Great Heavens!" she cried. "Is she the Duchess of Lotzen?"
"The same," Harleston nodded.
"H-u-m! I can understand now a little of her--No wonder I felt my
helplessness before her polished poise!"
"Nonsense!" he smiled.
"Why should such an accomplished--diplomat want to injure me with you?"
she asked.
"She was not seeking to injure you in the sense that you imply," he
returned. "Her purpose was to put you in the same class as herself, so
that I should trust you no more than I do her; to make you appear an
emissary of France, in its secret service, playing the game of ignorance
and inexperience for its present purpose. For you, as a personality she
does not care a fig. To her you are but one of the pieces, to be moved
or threatened as her purpose dictates.
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