"How did you find the Baron?"
"Why, of course there was no need at all for me to go to him. I think it was horrid of you to make me waste the time in rushing out there at all."
"I will go out there now myself. By the way, did Althea say anything to you about your leaving Berlin for a time?"
"About my leaving?" she cried with positively indignant surprise. "Directly after my appearance when every one will be talking about me! Herr Bastable!"
"Her father will go and she will go with him. You can scarcely remain by yourself, can you?"
"Are you all mad or in league to ruin me? Why, to go away at such a moment would be----" The tragedy of such a prospect was obviously too terrible to be put in words.
"But the Court will prefer you to be away for a time," I said rising. "Our letter to the Emperor did all that we hoped, and the Imperial marriage is now definitely settled. The happy pair will be among the guests to-night to witness your triumph. I hope it will be great enough even to satisfy you."
She was a singular girl. She showed her lovely teeth in a smile, cast down her eyes, sighed, and then looked up and held out her hand. "I didn't understand you at first. Of course you mean that I should show that I really do feel the separation keenly. Oh, I wish I had always had some one so clever to advise me."
"I should not break my heart if I were you," I replied gravely.
She flashed a quick glance at me. "I shall get over it; but don't you think we might contrive to let it leak out that, if I really must go, it is because I am so--so upset."