But, all the time, I was conscious of Lotzen
waiting--waiting--waiting. I could hear his voice and Lady Helen's
merry laugh, yet I knew nothing but the ending of the supper and the
breaking of the party, with Lady Radnor still riding her hobby, would
save me from the question. I threw in another remark to keep her
going. It was fatal.
Lord Radnor heard it; and, catching his wife's reply, I saw him frown.
"Lord bless us!" he exclaimed to the Princess and Courtney, "we must
rescue His Highness--Lady Radnor is on the Tenement problem."
I tried to signal Courtney to keep Radnor occupied; but he did not
understand, and only smiled and whispered something to the Princess.
Then Lord Radnor caught his wife's eye and the old lady's discourse
ended abruptly.
"I fear I weary Your Royal Highness," she said.
"On the contrary, I am deeply interested," I assured her. "Pray
continue."
Her glance wandered eagerly across the table, but she got no
encouragement from the Ambassador.
"Your Highness is very gracious," she said, "and, sometime, if you are
so minded, I shall gladly show you the late reports from the London
Society."
I dared not urge her further; Lord Radnor would have suspected me of
making sport of his wife.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163