“You place me in a position of great difficulty, Princess,” I replied, slowly.
“Will you help me in it?” she repeated.
“With such powerful influence behind you, you will not need my help that I can see,” I returned, ungraciously, for the scowling brutal face of Duke Sergius was in my thoughts.
Her eyes were still bent steadily upon me, and a side glance showed me their expression had changed.
“You are not frank with me, Count Benderoff,” she said, after a pause; and at that I looked up and said bluntly:
“If I offend you I am sorry; but I will not stir a finger to help the man you mean—the Duke Sergius.”
Her face was breaking into a smile, when she checked it, and I saw a faint wave of colour rise to her cheek.
“What do you know of Duke Sergius?” she asked. Again a pause.
“Little or nothing, Madame; but I will not serve in any cause where his interests are to be advanced.”
“Why do you not like him? You knew I was betrothed to him?”