Presently she choked down her emotion and seized my hand in both her own. "Forgive me for having spoken as I did. You are right, of course, and only acting as my friend in telling me this. But what shall I do?"
"Tell the truth, give up Prince von Graven, and let the Kaiser have his way in regard to this precious Imperial marriage."
"He would never forgive me," she wailed. "What does Althea advise?'"
Althea at last. I checked a smile. She could think of Althea when there was a difficulty to be solved. "I have not told her."
Suddenly she started as a fresh thought struck her. "You have quarrelled with the Prince, Herr Bastable."
"That is not the reason for my coming to you. I had some words with him because he would not be man enough to tell the truth and face the music."
"It was at my wish."
"I know that, but it does not make any difference to the fact that Fräulein Althea was being sacrificed for the sake of the secret. But if the truth is not told, you may depend on it you will never have the chance of appearing at that concert."
"I don't know what to do."
I got up. "The others will not let me decide for you, and you must do as you will; but you can now see all that hangs on the decision."