"
She paused.
"Now, perchance, Your Highness understands the matter," she added, and
smiled sweetly.
He flecked the ash from his cigarette and shook his head.
"I understand no more than I did at first, how this plot against the
Grand Duke Armand affects me," he said.
"Of course, it may not occur to Your Highness--but it doubtless would
to the King--who, of all living creatures, would be most benefited and
who most injured by my marriage story. However, if you are not my
employer, then, it will not hurt you. And, as I cannot imagine who
else it could be, I shall simply fling the whole business overboard; go
to the Governor to-morrow; tell the truth; endorse on the marriage
certificate the fact of its falseness; give it to him--and take the
first train for Paris--And, I fancy, I shall read the betrothal notice
of the Princess Royal of Valeria and the Grand Duke Armand before I've
been there a week."
Lotzen got up and went over to her.
"Do you know you are a very clever woman?" he said.
She looked archly up at him.
"You will enable me to escape?" she asked.
He took her hand--and, this time, it was not withdrawn.
"I will do my best," he said; "but, it's a fierce risk for me.
Pages:
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325