"
"Impersonating me!" Mrs. Clephane exclaimed incredulously.
"Yes. She knows all the material circumstance--witness the telephone
call that inveigled you into the drive up the Avenue, _et cetera_--and
she'll take the chance that you are not known to the Marquis nor any of
the staff, or even the chance that Madame Durrand has not yet informed
them. Indeed she may have taken precautions against her informing them.
A few bribes to the hospital attendants, carefully distributed, would be
sufficient. It's not everyone who could, or would venture to, pull off
the coup, but with Spencer the very daring of a thing adds to its
pleasure and its zest."
"You amaze me!" Mrs. Clephane replied. "I thought also that diplomacy
was the gentlest-mannered profession in the world--and the most
dignified."
"It is--on the surface. Fine residences, splendid establishments,
brilliant uniforms, much bowing and many genuflections, plenty of parade
and glitter--everything for show. Under the surface: a supreme contempt
for any code of honour, and a ruthlessness of purpose simply
appalling--yet, withal, dignity, strained at times, but dignity
none-the-less."
"Then it isn't even a respectable calling!" she exclaimed.
"It's eminently respectable to intimidate and to lie for one's
country--and to stoop to any means to attain an end.
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