Her sense of humour was not keen, and she accepted this as quite genuine. "Everyone is so good to me," she murmured. "And where is Althea?"
"Do you not know what occurred yesterday afternoon?"
"I was at Herr Grumpel's all the afternoon--I had a most trying lesson. He was in a horrible temper, and it quite put me out. Well, when I came home, Althea was gone, instead of having some tea ready for me. And when I asked where she was, that stupid girl, Lotta, said something nonsensical about the police having been here. Such rubbish, of course."
"Unfortunately, it was quite true. An attempt was made to arrest her."
"Herr Bastable! You don't mean it!" Surprise, no other feeling in this. No grief, no concern even. "Whatever for?" As if it had been Althea's fault.
"It was on your account," I said bluntly. "Because of the mistake you have allowed people to make in regard to the Prince von Graven."
She was not in the least embarrassed. "So you know that. I am so glad. It is such a relief not to have to keep these tiresome secrets from one's friends. I couldn't tell you before, could I? You see, it was Althea's secret as much as mine. And the Prince's, too. He is so devoted to me. And such a sweet man."
"You don't appear to grasp the real gravity of the matter, I'm afraid."
"Oh, that is unkind! Of course I do. I wouldn't have dear Althea get into any trouble on my account for the world!"
"Then of course you will let the truth as to the Prince be known at once."