If
detected, it would mean, at the very least, a year's banishment."
She smiled.
"It would mean something more than that if I told my story," she said.
"I'm doing it for you; not from fear of the story," he said softly.
"It's nicer, that way, isn't it?" she asked.
He put his arm around her--and she let him kiss her, once. Then, she
drew away.
"Sit down and let us talk it over," she said.
The King got up suddenly.
"Come along, Armand," he said, and hurried from the Gallery.
I followed him, without a word--for none was needed. The end of
Lotzen's game was very near, indeed.
In the lower corridor, we met a servant.
"Show us to the apartments of Madame Dalberg," Frederick ordered.
A dozen steps brought us to a large double door.
"This is the entrance, Your Majesty," said the man.
The King rapped sharply. There was no prompt answer and he rapped
again.
In a moment, the door was opened by Mrs. Spencer's maid.
"Madame is not at home," she said mechanically.
Without a word Frederick brushed her aside and stepped quickly in--and
I after him.
Mrs. Spencer sat facing the door and saw us enter. It is inconceivable
that she should not have been surprised, and, yet, she betrayed
absolutely no sign of it.
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