It is a most serious matter. It was done in the
presence of many witnesses, and your words, or some of them, were,
doubtless, overheard by those at nearby tables. The Capital will be
full of the affair; and the results may be most unfortunate for you,
and for His Highness. I am the American Ambassador; here is the
Ambassador of His Majesty of England; and, yonder, is His Royal
Highness the Grand Duke Lotzen, Heir Presumptive to the Valerian
Throne----"
"Your speech is long, sir," she said; "please come to the question."
Courtney bowed. "I was but trying to explain why I ventured to meddle
in Madame's business," he said.
She smiled wearily. "Your pardon, Monsieur; pray proceed."
"The question I want to ask is this," said Courtney: "Will you not tell
us when and where you became the wife of Armand Dalberg?"
"Yes, Monsieur, and gladly--and I thank you for the thought. I was
married to Armand Dalberg--then a Major in the American Army--on the
twenty-first day of last December in the City of New York."
(That was only two months before I had sailed for Valeria; and I had
been in New York that very day.)
"And by whom, pray?" I exclaimed.
"By the official you provided," was the curt reply.
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