“Have you considered, Madam, how we are to bring his Majesty and the Doctor together?”
One of those strange still smiles, which, in a woman like Hermengarde, were more menacing than a frown, came on her lips for an instant, and vanished again.
“Is that indispensable?” was all she said.
“Undoubtedly. We cannot expect Dr. Krauss to act on hearsay. He will require to examine the King personally, in order to arrive at an opinion.”
“Indeed. Then in that case I am afraid I do not see any immediate chance of success.”
Von Sigismark cogitated, while the Princess kept a cold watchful glance upon his face, out of the corners of her eyes. Soon an idea occurred to him; he resisted it for a time, but at length gave way to it, and expressed it in words.
“Herr Moritz is here. He is a man of considerable shrewdness. Why not consult him?”
“But that would involve taking him into our confidence.”
“True, Madam; but, after all, what have we to fear? Our action is perfectly loyal. Certain proceedings on the King’s part have led us to fear that his mind may be suffering from over-excitement, and we desire that he may have the advantage of a physician’s advice. What is there in that that we should hesitate to confide to a discreet man like Herr Moritz, a man, moreover, holding a high official post?”
“Putting it in that way, we certainly run no great risk. But is this colleague of yours to be trusted?”