"Pray don't be angry. I have really something to say, and—pardon me—you must hear it."
"And what if I refuse?"
"True; I did wrong to say 'must.' You are at perfect liberty. Only, if you refuse, Eugene must hear it."
Kate paused. Then, with a laugh, she said:
"Perhaps I am taking it too gravely. What is this great thing I must hear?"
"Ah! I hoped we could settle it amicably. It's merely this: you must release Eugene from his engagement."
Kate did not trouble to affect surprise. She knew it would be useless.
"Did he send you to tell me this?"
"You know he didn't."
"Then whose envoy are you? Ah! perhaps you are Claudia Territon's chosen knight?"