"And, doubtless, you have often met her at the Old Forge?"
Once again a smile.
"And were engaged to meet her there this morning?"
"You are too discerning, Major," she said, with a shrug. "You should
have been a detective."
"Quite right," I agreed. "I am always the last to detect a plot or to
find the criminal."
She looked at me through half-closed eyes.
"Which means?"
I gave her back a look in kind. "Whatever you would."
She toyed with her rings a bit. "Why should I deliberately bring you
and the Princess together?" she demanded.
"Why, indeed?" said I.
"You are of the Blood:--the Palace is open to you."
I raised my hand sharply in warning.
She glanced over my shoulder, toward the window, with a derisive smile.
"True, the Princess might wonder how I knew."
I made no answer.
"And the explanation would be a trifle difficult," she appended.
"Do you think she would ask an explanation?" I inquired.
She smiled. "No; you would have to volunteer it."
"That would be easy," I said indifferently.
"Surely! Surely! it would be easy to tell the Princess Royal that you
were so confidential with Lady Helen Radnor, on the terrace at the
Birthday Ball, that you told her the secret of your cousinship--try it,
Major Dalberg, try it--it will be so easy," and she laughed softly.
Pages:
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88